4/21/08

Slow Craft

There are some wonderful discussions going on about the definitions of Slow Craft and Slow Cloth movements at Red Thread Studio here and In a Minute Ago here.
Having started this blog in the first place because I felt I was so much less productive than some of my other artist friends and acquaintences, I can certainly relate to that feeling of just not doing enough!

Here are Elaine's 10 Qualities of Slow Cloth

*
Joy
Slow Cloth has the possibility of joy in the process. In other words, the journey matters as much as the destination.
*
Contemplation
Slow Cloth offers the quality of meditation or contemplation in the process.
*
Skill
Slow Cloth involves skill and has the possibility of mastery.
*
Diversity
Slow Cloth acknowledges the rich diversity and multicultural history of textile art.
*
Teaching
Slow Cloth honors its teachers and lineage even in its most contemporary expressions.
*
Materials
Slow Cloth is thoughtful in its use of materials and respects their source.
*
Quality
Slow Cloth artists, designers, crafters and artisans want to make things that last and are well-made.
*
Beauty
It's in the eye of the beholder, yes, but it's in our nature to reach for beauty and create it where we can.
*
Community
Slow Cloth supports community by sharing knowledge and respecting relationships.
*
Expression
Slow Cloth is expressive of individuals and/or cultures. The human creative force is reflected and evident in the work.


For me, I'll substitute the word cloth with craft and then I can just call myself a slow craft artist....

How about you?

7 comments:

sharonb said...

Great Post and you neatly summarize the issues
thanks

KV said...

Art shouldn't be an issue of slow and fast anyway, Bobbi. Everyone should take their own individual path in accomplishing their artwork irregardless of "speed". Sort of reminds me of elementary teachers who try to compare one child's art against another child's instead of taking delight in the efforts of both of them.


Kathy V in NM

beadbabe49 said...

thanks, sharon..

You're right, kathy...it shouldn't be a matter of speed, but I think we're all sometimes prone to compare ourselves with others (as foolish and sad as that may be) and I do know that productivity is an issue with galleries.
The more you produce, the more they have to show and the more they have to show, the better your sales are...so if all else is equal, they will pick the more productive artist againt one whose work requires more time and thus makes them less productive.

I have a dear friend who is very successful in selling her work and she's also extremely productive...she never compares us, but sometimes I look at my cuff that took me 40 hours to make and then look at what she's made in 40 hours and I know I will never be as financially successful as she is.

That's when I remind myself that I love what I do, I wouldn't want to do what she does and luckily, the roof over my head and the food I eat isn't dependent on me making a living with my art work!

Magpie Sue said...

Elaine's list seems complete to me. And completely supports the way I work!

I have to agree with KV's statement about comparing the artwork of two children too.

Pursuing Art... said...

I enjoyed this post Bobbi! I also printed out Elaine's 10 Qualities of Slow Cloth for myself.

I, too, am guilty of comparing myself to others and not feeling like I'm as productive as they may be or keeping up with the Joneses...so to speak! I try not to go there because I don't want the pressure! Of course, what I create I'm only creating for me. I've had to tell myself to accept it and get over it. I am not a fast beader or fast anything and, besides, I just enjoy the journey. Not that I don't wish that I could be a little faster, I do! Especially because there are so many things I want to create and so little time. I've already learned 'REAL QUICK LIKE'...by watching others that, for me, it isn't going to happen! ;-)

So, with that...My name is Lisa and I am a Slow Craft Artist!!! ;-))

beadbabe49 said...

yea, lisa!

Timaree said...

I think you are right about calling slow craft as the same as slow cloth. I think anything done with care and quality materials should count. It's the spirit of the thing that we have to think about.