Developing a Concept or Vision
Concept Design for Vagina Slipper
Since this week’s previous posts focused specifically on my drawing and painting processes that I use to create works of art, I thought I’d finish off the week talking about the creative process which is what I do when I am developing a concept. A concept or ‘Vision’ is not necessarily only art related. I apply this same thinking strategy to all that is Palisade Posh!
For me concepts come from inspiration, which I pull from just about anywhere, a series I watch on TV about renovating barns gives me ideas for my future Palisade Posh Studio, a window display is inspiration for a painting, images from magazines give me ideas for the Airbnb, or the future Putnam farm and homestead, items in a boutique get me thinking about how I could recreate something similar in function but unique in design.
When working on a concept, I usual have a vision of some kind or idea to start with. The trick is to not have a death grip on said vision or idea. By this I mean, don’t be so rigid with your concept that you don’t permit opportunities for it to change, grow and or evolve as you or I progress through the process. This philosophical approach has proven to be very useful in pretty much all aspects of my creative life including envisioning all things relating to Palisade Posh, my art, gardening and even cooking and entertaining!
When I have an idea, the first thing I do is either sketch the concept out, get my thoughts down on paper, or gather images for inspiration. For Palisade Posh I have a whole book devoted to clippings from magazines that I find interesting, images of houses, gardens, furniture, etc… along with notes and sketches of garden and home layouts ideas. Some people create inspiration boards, for Palisade Posh I have an inspiration sketchbook.
Page from Palisade Posh Inspiration Book
Regarding making art or home décor, I also begin with a sketch or note taking which is followed by research on the topic. My first master’s degree is in Art History which trained me to do research among other things. For example, when I was working on my Vagina Slipper series, I researched different styles of shoes and how shoes were constructed. I then drew out different shoe designs and then recreated them not in leather or fabric but in clay!
I took a similar approach when I created the Antler candle sticks although the inspiration for those came from years of wandering through mountain town boutiques that included all possible things made from Antlers. I’m a visual person so when I see something that I find interesting I tuck the image away in my ‘Mind Palace’, to steal a phrase from Sherlock Holmes, then when a creative opportunity presents itself, like when I encounter a set of antlers from my friend’s property, I retrieve the image and create my own unique rendition.
The result is not so important to me anymore, as the creative process or the journey as I like to call it, is much more interesting. Envisioning, figuring out how to make it or make it happen (aka problem solving), and then implementing the plan, making the work, building the company, growing the plant, cooking the meal, or throwing the party is so much more enjoyable. At the end of the day, having a vision and then making it happen is one of the things that makes my life joyful.
Clay Vagina Slipper Sculpture
Vagina Slipper Exhibition
