One of my New Year’s goals is to find my unique voice as an artist. As part of that exercise, right now I’m not limiting myself to a specific set of techniques or materials. I am free to explore anything and everything; next year’s goal will be to be more marketable. My long term goal is to quit the day job and make my living from my art; note that I do not intend to be a starving artist!

Right now I am struggling with the concept of a distinctive style. Must I have a distinctive style to be taken seriously as an artist? Mention Ricky Tims, Caryl Bryer Fallert or Jeanne Williamson; a very unique picture comes to mind. If I want a gallery to represent my work I will need to have a recognizable style or at a minimum work in a series that is easy to market.

Today’s exercise is to create a series. I like the idea of thinking in a series even if I do not actually physically construct all of the ideas; sort of a virtual series. There is something satisfying about starting with a single idea and building upon it to find new and better ideas.

I am enamored with my wooden blocks so they are the basis of today’s Virtual Series:

1. Stamp with paint, ink or dye on flat fabric before sewing or quilting (the obvious one)
2. Apply resist to fabric prior to dying or painting
3. Stamp discharge or color remover
4. Press into polymer clay
1. Cut out buttons for a garment.
2. Cut into shapes for necklace or drop earrings.
3. Create an opposite image block. Use both to stamp the same piece of fabric.
4. Create a picture frame.
5. Stamp ready made clothing
6. Stamp on home dec items (napkins, pillows, lamp shade, etc.)
7. Digitize image and manipulate
1. Create border or frame for photos printed on fabric.
2. Manipulate image into at least 3 sizes and use all in an art quilt (i.e. frame, background, focal point, etc.).
3. Create business logo, use on website, blog and business card
4. Create kaleidoscope images; use in circle quilt series.
8. Stamp on a completed quilt for added dimension.
9. Use as a basis for embellishment with paint, embroidery, foiling, or beading.
10. Stamp on brown paper bags for stationary, envelopes or gift wrap.