Is your work art?

This sounds like a loaded question but I am prompted to because of a line in the movie I watched last night on the life of Georgia O'Keefe. In a discussion with her husband she was angry with him for exploiting her art. His comment was something along the lines of " your WORK is just WORK, it is only ART after someone buys it."

I thought that was a powerful statement. I know many people who are artists but don't sell their work, musicians who are artists but don't play for money and a great example for me are sidewalk artists who's work is fleeting. On the other hand, I also know people who call themselves artists and, for me, they are only crafters who follow other people's patterns and instructions.

So my question to you to start the week out is: " Is your work art even if nobody ever buys it?"

Now What?

So... I have identified the why and what of a creative slump...
I am revved up, my jetts are hot, ideas are working overtime,
but I have housework to do, company coming and following on the heels of that, my house will be painted.. inside. How do you deal with that?
I try to jot a few notes and sketches in my journal.
Any secrets to putting it on hold and coming back to it?
Because, knowing me... it will all fizzle to an unrecognizable
blob by the time I get to 'work'.....

Jump starting Creativity...

I found myself in a creative 'slump' over the past few months.
The mind just seemed to be made of lead!
I know others have had this kind of a 'block'... what did you do to open that
door and move on?
Probably backing up a tad, why do you think it happens?

Rituals of Preparation

Twyla Tharp in her book, The Creative Habit, talks about how helpful it is to establish some rituals - automatic, but decisive patterns of behavior - at the beginning of the creative process when you are most at peril of turning back, chickening out, giving up or going the wrong way. The ritual erases the question of whether or not you want or like to do it, you just do it.

Do you have any rituals that get you started or can you think of any that might work for you?

I use the kitchen timer, telling myself I will spend 15 minutes on something...and usually I'm enjoying it so much, I spend much longer. But it's a way to get started which is the hardest part.

Cynthia

Welcome to Fast Friday Talks

The purpose of this blog is to have a forum for Art, Quilt, and Creative Process discussions originating with the Fast Friday Fabric Challenge group. Anyone is free to comment on the postings.