Sometimes a collection, for me at least, is a bit like a very dear friend. They don’t really have a clear start or finish. They seem to grow from a spark of familiarity into a deep, deep love.
I simply enjoy spending time with particular collections. One piece moves into another, flowing to yet another branch and so on. I may take a break to go off and have an adventure with another group of friends, to take a fresh breath in, but eventually, I seem to circle back, adding the things I’ve learnt on my travels back into the heart space of my truest loves.
Driftwood is one of those collections for me. Mostly because the inspiration from my delicious coastal playground is also never-ending. Always spectacular. Always a gift.
Saltwater Man from the Driftwood Collection
The question is though, is it OK remain in this deep love affair long-term or, as artists, should we be indulging in more one night stands of the creative variety?
What I have found is that there is absolutely no right answer to this question but there are some creative 'guidelines' you might want to consider.
As an artist, it is important to create your signature style. It's like your fingerprint, making your offerings unique and bringing the 'you-ness' out in your work. Creating a signature style only comes about by indulging in the repetition of creation, so as to carve out the artistic vibration that sings to your soul. If you can find something fresh and inspiring to say with each piece whilst indulging your truest passion then do more until you are spent. Satiated.
It's when this freshness gives way to pure repetition, without emotional connection, that an artist may need to explore further and wider to find the next song in their heart.
And there is nothing more exciting than exploration. An experience I had with my Gilded Collection. I had a little spark, an intuitive nudge, that I wanted to explore gilding in my pieces. I started to experiment, originally keep with my watercolour approach so as to move just outside of my comfortable zone. As I expanded my skills I became bolder, almost brazen! Incorporating my past love of charcoal and sketching into the pieces. What emerged felt almost magical and now I think I love her almost as much as my beautiful Driftwood. Almost.
Growl from the Gilded Collection (Coming Soon)
I have a feeling that in the not too distance future I will move back to my first love, my Driftwood Collection but I'll bring some new tricks with me to make her dance with a new passion and life.
At the end of the day, the act of creation is about joy. If it brings you joy, do more of it. Play in any way that makes your heart sing and you will always create something beautiful.
xx