Everytime i meet an artist or crafter , the same questions pop up! Do u paint? What craft do u do? Simple question, a somewhat complicated answer.. Having experimented with so many aspects of art & craft before, all i can say is "Not anymore", which is a sad revelation for me... What happened??? Over the years, there were many bad moments related to my passions. Going back to the crafting & painting & sewing brings feelings of apprehension. It's like a driver in a car accident. Can he go back to driving? But driving just means going from one destination to another. Doing art or craft means opening up yourself, barring my soul, risking failure... Your work may not be up to the mark, initially. It takes TIME, much EFFORTand TENACITY (and conviction that u ARE doing it right). Can i take the setbacks? But I must be POSITIVE, i tell myself. Maybe the time for a comeback is due. After all, I'm coming very close to being a half-centurion. NOT MUCH TIME LEFT (i joke). And most of all, I'm surrounded by creative, energetic people, who are my SUPPORT system!
Having just finished a project interviewing and writing about artists & their journey and viewing their work, seeing their passion and learning of the reality of life as an artist, I am humbled. My pain does not come anywhere close to their life long struggle to be an artist and have it as a career and being able to support themselves & their family. I call them all BRAVE souls!
And for those who organise and promote art, trying to put a vision into reality, it oftens feels like being wedged in a crevice (127 hours, the movie). Many things can go awry. But you stick to it, you be realistic and you do what you humanly can. My deepest respect to those who stick it out, have a 'never give up' attitude and never venting your frustration on those around you. A real measure of CHARACTER.
Visual stimulation & inspiration
Taking a walk through MidValley (a popular shopping mall) yesterday, I noticed a trend for this Spring (although we live in the tropics, our stores still follow the 4 seasons - Summer, Spring, Autumn & Winter - go figure! very kiasu!). This is interspersed with our own 4 seasons - Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, School holiday & Christmas/Year-end Bonus... but i digress,..
What i noticed is the prominent use of patterned fabric instead of the usual plain coloured fabrics normally associated with fashionistas. Patterned fabrics r usually linked with the older generation of matriachs - ie.aunties & makciks. But graphically bold fabrics and abstract looking fabrics with blotches, streaks, spots of paint here and there gives a more arty and sophisticated look. But personally, one has to be careful in your choice of colour, pattern & cut of the apparel or else it does age you.
It got me thinking..Now's the time to start experimenting with fabric dyeing and painting.
A few weeks ago, at Borders (Tropicana City Mall), I found a most inspiring book : The Complete Photo Guide to Textile Art. Unfortunately, the materials used are mostly unknown in this part of the world. (Buying online would be costly in shipping charges). So i need to source some local suppliers. I have used Setacolor by Pebeo before and it's one of the more available brands but available in limited range. Ahh.. more walking & scouting. I hear Craft Haven in Bandar Utama has Pebeo. So does the shop in Amcorp Mall, but I find the owner very (shall i say..) uncooperative.
Online help & research
Here are some of the resources i found to help in my experimentation (will add on to the list as i find more)
INTRO : http://fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com/2006/11/1a-introduction.html
IDEA : http://fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com/2006/10/14-other-techniques-sky-painting.html
TIPS : http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/Fabric/FabricDyeing.htm
Looking for paints & equipment :
There's an art shop in The Gardens called Art Friend (right above Robinson's). Wow.. lots of stuff to see & buy. But feeling a little swoozy becos of the 'haze' flu, i just took a short look around and took note of the possible materials & tools..
There's also the very long time art shops in Petaling Street - Venus Art & Nanyang Art Supplies. Will check them out one day soon.
Other tools & equipment, I'd scout around my 'workshop' (ie. house over-flowing with stuff!) and ACE Hardware (Jaya33)
WISH ME LUCK!
4 comments:
Good luck! I like what you wrote about having enough passion in one's field, in order to stick in there long enough to grasp success. As a kid & teen I used to try loads of stuff, but as I had to grow up and went to uni and everything, the hobbies just slowly faded.
I would agree with the limited art supplies back in Msia, but limitations breed creativity, no? :D Here in the UK there are loads and loads of supplies too, I get crazy just seeing them, but they tend to be quite expensive so my student budget doesn't really allow for splurging on hobbies... :(
All the best though! Looking forward to your experiment results. :D
I hope that you get back your crafting mojo. It is very therapeutic if you don't take it as your means of earning a living.
When you say painting - are you referring to dyeing or fabric painting? I know there are a fabric paint available at those shops that you have mentioned and its not too expensive. What do you have in mind?
Aneesah, yes - limitation is god-mother of creativity. As a kid, our parents never bought us much things. Our imagination is our toy. If we wanted something nice we saw that others have, we will create it ourselves out of what is available :)
I will get some of the stuff available here and start my experimentation. Thanks for the encouragement!
Zarina, I'm open to all types of paints but mainly those that dye the fabric as oppose to just surface painting. Found some batik paints from the mentioned Amcorp shop. This time the owner was more approachable. Bought soda ash & a set of made-in Malaysia liquid batik paints. Can't wait to start! Even secured a place to set up a Fibre Art Studio!!
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