Sometimes, trying to explain is the most difficult part. There is often what seems like a disconnect between hand and mind. That is the bridge we need to build. And keep in good repair.
The truth is in the going. And the value is in the acceptance of of how it might go.
The creative act is not outside of you. Art does not create itself. An image does not form of it's own accord. That is just vague in my opinion. Misleading in so many ways. The mystery is often entertaining and fills the void by temporarily providing an excuse. I would rather get real. To dig out the spirit of the thing. Even if it isn't romantic or pretty or doesn't fit expectation. Just accept the the beauty in that. ithink
To explain the process of Skitch Skatch would probably help me with where I feel I am going. And I can do that , by example.
Maybe , then, you might try going there too. That sometimes helps me, the conversation that might spring forth. And you can do that by following along.
And then the many paths that might open up as we diverge. In thought. Because I get as much from all this sharing as you might. And the story part is in the going.
The source of Story ...is you...
I tried to dig where yesterday's heart came from. Feel free to disagree. yesterday
I have to laugh … I hadn’t read this post when I made yesterday’s heart-shaped patch … love the synchronicity
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and processes. There is something that draws me here. I came across you in passing more than a year ago looking for a technique on applique, stitching, best permanent markers and paint to use on fabric. I lost the place where you were and spent quite a while searching. Finding you again made me so happy and, now I can follow and learn on a regular basis. It is often hard to put what’s in your brain onto paper or fabric.
Welcome back!
Yes, a life’s work to catch your thoughts …
Thinking hard about all of this…
& your thinking is what I love most here.
My babbling is inevitable
feels like opening up the next chapter in a picture book of tall tales… your patchwork tells stories most would not believe. yet they’re more than real. then you show us how. butterflies dance inside as we follow you thru the looking glass, pencils in hand, singing our own version of paul simon’s classic…”skitch-skatchin’ away, skitch-skatchin’ away… y’know the nearer your destination, the more you’re skitch-skatchin’ away…” x
Ha, love the new lyrics!
Yesterday’s Heart a morphing marker in time informed by yesterday, today and perhaps tomorrow. xo
Not very successful at leaving a comment, technology is not my strong point, I’ll try again perhaps 3rd time lucky, yesterday’s heart and words are both beautiful and inspiring. After ‘what ifing’ in my sketchbook 4 days, your post and words compelled me to stitch, what emerged was very encouraging and different, thank you Jude
Yay! Good to hear and here’s your comment!
Ah not quite where it should have gone, but that’s me at my best 🤣
Hi Jude 🙂 As always I appreciate what you share. Love the heart (s). After turning 60 and my job disappearing because the company decided to close my location and this past year of nonsense I find great comfort in seeing what you share and I am grateful that you still choose to let us all be a part of the journey. <3
It would be empty otherwise…😎
I love your work and appreciate the true artist in you. I am finding my way in new surroundings which has all my creative thoughts/ideas/abilities up in the air. Thanks for sharing what you know. It’s helped me tons!
Yay!
I keep a collection of thoughts/insights gathered from a variety of sources to refer back to from time to time as needed (was it you, Jude, that suggested creating one’s own “bible”? Perhaps that’s what these “collections” of mine are becoming). While I’m tempted to print this entire blog entry and the related comments, I’ll leave it to:
“The truth is in the going. And the value is in the acceptance of of how it might go.”
and
“Yes, this you can do, you are a universe…show us.”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and processes.
It helps me really …
I like the combination of sketching and stitching it’s like a path for me to take or wander off when I feel like it! Always many thanks for sharing Jude! 💗
I like rocking back and forth
Your sharing of thoughts, speaking your story, being present is always a grounding energy in my journey with creating/life. I appreciate what you say, I hear. Thanks for your presence in my life.
I may be here but I may not always say what you want to hear, oh ha!
Thinking is under-rated, in my opinion. The thinking mind just plugs away and drives life forward. Quite incredible, really.
There is a degree of not thinking in following and following id a desired element in control.
So beautiful…yes…..voice of the soul…streaming through the fingers…such a gift…
Pre beginner question…what color of Pitt markers is most useful?
I will talk about that in the next post as i reconsider tools and materials based on past experience.
Am so grateful!! my thanks fly to you!
Your new format here is different & refreshing. Love that I can click on the Blog-journal tab to see all the recent posts. Much to discover here. Thank you for this artful digital presence.
Still fiddling but I think it will serve us well.
I love the no bullshit, & the going, just doing, change is inevitable and a good thing approach.
“yesterday’s heart” is SUCH a good analogy…we just are never ‘quite’ the same as we were the day before, tho we ARE ourselves. <3 <3 <3
We are always more or less than yesterday!
What I love about your skitch skatch is the way you use the pattern from the fabric to fit with the lines of your sketch. Or maybe your sketch starts by following the lines of the cloth’s pattern. Either way, it’s very pleasing to the eye and not as easy to do as some might think.
I am always trying to honor cloth, in this way or that. The best way is to let you watch me muddle though it. It’s warming up and I should be able to shoot some video in the basement soon. It’s nice and roomy and quiet down there.
I think I LIKE the way you think 😊
it changes from time to time, but that’s just growing
ah this old song keeps echoing in response of late to Grace, then with Acey and now you (((Jude)))|
“…
Don’t question why she needs to be so free
She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be
She just can’t be chained
To a life where nothing’s gained
And nothing’s lost
At such a cost
Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still, I’m gonna miss you
“There’s no time to lose,” I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Dying all the time
Lose your dreams and
you will lose your mind
Ain’t life unkind?
…”
lines from from Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones from a long time ago
Seems I remember you singing this to me before!!!
this song along with John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ & Neil Young’s ‘Heart of Gold’ (your day before yesterday’s heart) have helped me to hold onto my dreams, heart and soul and make something of them through the years
❤
Jude, this post moves me more than any other!! I put off making because I feel I am not an artist and compare my work to others… I never considered making a sketch and developing it from there because I dont “draw”, but this I can do along with other scrappy advice I have gleaned from you over the years. Happy stitching today!
Yes, this you can do, you are a universe…show us.
This feels like a new path for me – the discipline of picking up a pencil.
That’s uplifting!
Such a good & strong comment Peggy. True for me too, even after so many years, so many doubts. Thank you for placing your thoughts and heart here for us to see and appreciate.
Jude~ Your heart, by way of your response, shines & holds so many. xo
The reason that I am here following along is a feeling of sameness. Being a witness and learning from your creative process to further my own, and to have a companion on the path.
The truth of being present and in process, and what that looks like.
Travelling Companions… yes.
ps: and sometimes it ain’t pretty
indeed!
Good to hear from you. I seem to have built a tall wall between me and my ……creativity. Can’t get over it. Under it. Round it. Stuck. It may fall on me…..
Through. Like Alice and the looking glass.
Here! Here!
Gotta let it out. Make room.
I’m all for less bullshit out there about making, and more about skill and thought and, to borrow your words, “just going”. maybe add this “like hell”. because it’s what we have to do and it’s really what matters. (she said, as she dismounts her soapbox)
Yes…hey ho!
Got my vote!