Finger in too many pies

Yesterday I posted on my TooManyPies blog about strategies for deciding what to work on each day, since I have so many things on the go at the same time. A while ago I was experimenting with line drawings that can be placed in any pattern combination—images that can be flipped, mirrored, rotated and even staggered—they aren’t constrained by a single orientation. As I was writing the post I decided to give it another go and this is what I came up with.

Here are 3 of the original drawings:

They line up to make a pattern whichever way you turn them. It’s a simple idea but loads of fun when you digitally manipulate them in photoshop:

A bit Cubist, a bit Futurist and very satisfying mathematically! Now I need to try the idea with more complexity—I’d like to create a more intricate network of lines that can be arranged in multiple ways.

Day 911/90 (approximation?)—I have to get an app that will countdown for me +×÷=∞

‘There’s been a little complication with my complication’—a line from my favourite movie Brazil—describes how things are at the moment. I haven’t been here (at artistpractice) for a while. Our renovations meant that my studio was under siege for months. I have only just managed to get it back in order to work in there.

Studio reset/refreshed!

While I was unable to paint I knitted up a storm—blankets, beanies, scarves, cowls—and my knits went crazy for stripes, chevrons and plaid.

I am completely mad for plaid (Japanese schoolkids sporting plaid). Image by rumple teaser

I thought more about my ‘Finger in too many pies’ problem and realised that it isn’t going away so I started a new blog at toomanypies.com (starting a new blog to solve the issue of always looking for ‘new’ makes sense doesn’t it?). Yes, to me it makes sense to move all my other pies [the knitting, stuff about daily life, philosophical ponderings, the politics, and the gripes about education] to another place so that this blog just concentrates on artmaking practice—mine and others’.

Love you to visit my new blog!

Speaking of artmaking practice, I was inspired by my clever nephew to think about doing some writing about the practice of other artists. My nephew has just recently done his HSC and we did some work together ahead of his visual arts exam. I haven’t taught this particular syllabus but the level of language and conceptual understanding of artmaking practice required of students was fascinating to me. I thought it would be interesting to do some blog posts here that look at the material and conceptual practice of artists.

So back to my statement ‘there’s been a little complication with my complication’. My own artmaking hasn’t diminished, I have just stepped sideways and have been exploring image-making and materials in a different way for a little while. I can now embrace the craziness of the runaway lateral thoughts.

I can deal simultaneously with multiple needy ideas. I’ve always thought that there has to be a connection between all these interests and explorations and ideas. There may well be some beauty in this intricate weave.