Abstract:
The BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) for me was realizing that if my strong analytical side gets hooked into thinking about a subject my artistic creativity freezes up. A parallel BFO was also realizing that this response may be part of the reason I do not have a political activism streak in me. For activists I think learning about political and environmental issues may actually fire up their creativity and spur them to action.
The Story:
I accepted an invitation to participate in the "The Bee Show" at the Silverwood Gallery on Vashon Island. The show opens on Friday, February 1, 2008 with our work being due by the 3rd week in January. The invitation says
"Our goal this year in choosing the theme was to put a spotlight on the disconcerting problem of worldwide dwindling bee populations and their connection to the larger issue of our environment."
I chose to participate because the biennual group show hosted by Silverwood is a wonderful event which I would like to be part of and I also deeply care about bees. (I used to keep bees and plan to again someday. I have kept my equipment.)
So I set to work the way I usually do for my artwork - researching the topic. I had known about the mite epidemic but the Colony Collapse Disorder was new information to me and is very concerning. What was fascinating from the artistic side is that the more I learned the less I was able to "think" creatively! I became more and more frozen. I could simply not come up with even one idea of what to do for a piece.
In desperation I gave up! I emailed the gallery owner Eric Hefflefinger and said
"I think I am going to have to pass on partaking in the bee show. It has been fascinating research but I have just not been able to come up with anything that is lighting my fire to work on in a fabric art piece. Sorry. Usually I love theme challenges but this one has just not clicked for me. "
Eric replied
"I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately all advertising and invitations have been done so your name will appear on all printed matter pertaining to the show. You still have over a month until the work is due at the gallery, so perhaps you can come up with something that you are proud of."
Upon receiving Eric's email, I reread the initial invitation letter. I realized that I was getting way too serious and therefore making the whole thing far more complicated than it needed to be. The letter goes on to state
"This show, which will celebrate the bee as a symbol in art and craft, promises to be a great opportunity for participating artists to explore and test their creativity."
Taking that to heart I have gotten beezzy and started experimenting and creating. I ended up creating "Bee Bowl" which came out okay. I do not have any photos of it to post here. (I am in bad need of a digital camera!)
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