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Space, fantasy and my art

I haven’t been posting regularly and partly it’s because this winter I’ve been struggling to find a theme that will give me a framework, a starting point maybe or just a way create a more unified (looking) body of work.

My art work will never lose it’s experimental qualities because that’s who I am as an artist.  I have to be trying new things.  All the time. If I’m not stretching the envelop I’m not happy.  That’s just me.

So finally, finally I’ve decided.  I’m going to concentrate on outer space; imagining galaxies, black holes, gravity wave activity, even life on other planets.  I’m going to paint, draw and explore fabric art too.  Now I have a theme and a direction that hopefully will also allow me to address some questions about the human condition here on earth as well.

Some of my past work already goes there but now I plan to do more and will be back posting regularly again.   This is my latest painting on canvas;

Convergence is an acrylic painting of three black holes in a busy galaxy. By E.M.Schumacher
‘Convergence’ an acrylic painting on canvas by Elma Schumacher size; 24″ x 36″

 

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Creativity and Community

I spent this past weekend at a quilt retreat.  Sitting at a sewing machine for that whole time has left every muscle in my body sore and aching, but my creative juices are flowing.  After it was over, I left feeling renewed.

I like collecting fabric and designing my own quilts a good deal more than I like sewing.  Quilting isn’t something that I do a lot, but lately it’s something that I can focus on and complete.  In many ways this has been a tough winter for me and focusing on any one thing long enough to finish what I started has been difficult to say the least.

A section of a quilt designed and created by Elma Schumacher
A section of a quilt designed and created by Elma Schumacher

The weekend reminded me that every creative soul needs one thing more than anything else.  Not a bright studio space, not plentiful supplies, not endless gallery visits or images of great art online, though we all want and need these things too.  But without a community of creators to share ideas with, staying inspired and motivated is at best a chore.

Spending time with others who are facing the same struggles and sharing their thoughts, advice and ideas is what keeps many artists in the cities where their communities support and inspire outstanding artwork and innovative ideas.  Simply put, creative people need each other.

Living in a rural area, where every friend and neighbor is a lengthy drive away,  that community has been hard to find.  At quilting retreats women of all ages laugh and share their stories as well as their expertise.  Most of them never think of themselves as artists.  But they should.

A large queen sized quilt made by Elma Schumacher using quilt as you go techniques.
Birds and Arrows Quilt designed and sewn by Elma Schumacher

 

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My website renewed. . . again

It was time to change up my website.  It seems that I need to do that every so often, but this time it took much longer than usual.

WordPress fortunately makes it easy, but it never comes together as quickly as I’d like it to.

And that is largely my own fault.  My studio is a pretty tidy place.  I can’t seem to get much done if it isn’t.  The files on my computer on the other hand are always somewhere.  In some folders that share the same name that exist inside some other folders under three different names.  I’m good at saving things alright.  Not so good about where I put them.

My studio is organized.  I can find whatever I need.  Even this painting that I called ‘Black Hole’.

Black Hole, abstract painting on canvas by artist Elma Schumacher
Black Hole, acrylic on canvas by Elma Schumacher

But no matter how hard I try to clean it up, my computer files end up in a different kind of deep, bottomless black hole.