I love reality shows, especially those that have to do with style and fashion. The best ones help people determine who they are and how to best express their personality through their fashions. Three of my favorites are Project Runway, What Not to Wear and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, I'm teaching a class called "Finding your style." It's a chance to reflect on your own artistic creations to help you define your style. We'll work through a series of guided questions and enjoy a light dinner (which I'm providing) to help you develop a description of your style and an artists statement. I'm asking each participant to bring 6-12 of their favorite creations (scrapbook pages, cards, collages, dominoes, etc.) to use as the basis for the conversation. Hopefully this class will give you an understanding of your style and the confidence to boldly create in that style.
One of Tim Gunn's favorite exercises is to ask a participant to pull ten items of clothing from their closet that they couldn't live without. Another guiding principle for Mr. Gunn is that every woman needs the following 10 wardrobe essentials: a basic black dress, a trench coat, classic dress pants, white shirt, jeans, cashmere sweater, skirt, day dress, blazer and a sweatshirt alternative. Sometimes he gives the contestants a "splurge item."
I've been playing around with these exercises, trying to adapt them to art, and I've developed this challenge: find 10 things in your artistic materials that you couldn't live without. Your gather should include at least 2 images that you couldn't live without; 1 adhesive that you couldn't live without, 1 "canvas" you couldn' live without (by canvas, I mean a surface to work on - it could be a literal canvas or a dominoe or an A2 card, etc.), and 1 colorant (this should include both the color and the media - i.e. vintage photo ink or nickle azo gold acrylic paint) you can't live without. The other five items can also be images, colorants, etc. or other things, such as tools.
Post your list here. I'll reveal mine in a few days. If you find this exercise interesting, you'll find the class even better (and easier). Plus, there will be food.
Maria
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