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A confined practice - the unlimited potential of restrictions

 

I've been limited for studio supplies and space for about two years,  confined to a 16-square Kallax and a sewing table. (OK, full disclosure, there are a couple of bolts of PFD fabric in a back room I have accessed for dyeing). Two boxes contain finished quilts tops in need of quilting, there are protein and plant based fabrics ready to dye, hand dyed and printed lengths, my mark making equipment and a box of office supplies. The open shelves contain the things that make me smile (top row) and the resources that inspire me like books, journals and sewing supplies (second row). 

The restrictions have been in terms of available space, resources and time. I'm confined to 4 metres x5 metres after having access to a large, outdoor barn/studio and an internal sewing room/spare bedroom.  When we moved from Tarome we had pared down our belongings to such an extent that more than half the remaining cartons were filled with art and studio supplies.  There are about 25 packing boxes of "stuff in a back room I haven't needed or accessed since mid-2021. I'm working with the equivalent of  two large boxes of materials and haven't looked back. Between working in paid employment full time and studying part time, my studio commitment is carved into a busy week - five hours a week + train travel.

Being constrained resulted in infinite creative possibilities. Setting up in mid-2021, I worried about having enough materials to tide me over to the new house. Two years and three leases later, I couldn't have been more wrong.  I appreciate not knowing how long the build would take. If I had, perhaps I'd have unpacked far more "stuff" than I needed. Being forced to work with a few, well chosen resources was an immediate success.  I finished what I started, undistracted by all the things I could have been doing. I found a sense of purpose about the way I approached "studio time". I found a welcome discipline resulted from the multi-functional space that had to also function as my study and office. I found creativity in confinement.



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