Create art by working backwards.
Working backwards means thinking through each process of making your art piece before getting started. To create this collider event display, I had to figure out what would go on last. Then I thought about what each previous step backwards would be. What steps would I need to get to the finished product?That worked fairly well except for slight changes at the end.
Working backwards is a Different Way of Thinking
Working backwards to create art is a new and different way of thinking for me. Usually,I create my art quilts differently. As each part is completed, I reflect on what I can do to make it better or more artisitic. Generally, I don’t work from a photograph. I complete one step before even thinking about the next part. Motivation and inspiration comes from how the materials play together. Working backwards is a different way of thinking for me.
Reflecting
I reflect on how I can make it more engaging as each part is completed. Then finally, how the quilting might enhance the piece. For better or for worse,I rarely consider the quilting until the top is finished. But the whole point of this collaboration is to look at a project in a new way.
Beginning Steps to Create Art by Working Backwards
Choosing fabric and detail stitches
Changes
Several fairly large changes happened at this point. I wanted to cover the cream oval with yarn to create a shadow as in the photo. But the effect wasn’t what I wanted. Luckily, the fabric was loosely woven together so I was able to pick out the threads one by one until they were gone.
Do I have to match the photo?
I also struggled with matching the photo. When I gave myself permission to not match the photo and make a work of art to my liking, I felt much better. I finished the quilt with my artist judgement in mind.
In Summary
With this collaboration I adjusted my decision making processes. Photographs of the collider event displays(CED) were mandatory. My collaborator showed me some collider event displays that he felt would lend themselves to work in fabric and yarn. I chose several from the suggested group.
Thinking Ahead
Using a photo as a guide, I had to have an idea of what each step would be, before beginning at all. I almost always use fabric that I have on hand. The size of that fabric then determines the size of the piece. If I quilted the three layers together first,then I could know the exact size that the CED would have to be. I had seen other art quilters quilt their work first, so it wasn’t a new idea. Just something that I had never done.
Pay Attention When Going Backwards
You have to pay attention to where you are going when walking backwards or working backwards. Working backwards just takes a bit more of a plan. It is a lot more safe than walking backwards.
