When I create a new technique I research a lot. I first envision something, lately I am waking up with seeing pictures in my mind. I do a sketch with my first coffee of the morning and then begin my research.
First of all I research the path to the technique, which is not always a clear one. Very often I see all the steps laid out very clearly and sometimes I see the end product and have no idea how to get there technically.
My research is first intellectual, looking at pictures online, reading articles and in general warming up to my chosen subject. I began researching the Tree of Life and found so many different pictures and so much information. When researching one can skim and select a few items of information or as I do in the last few years, go deep into the subject and learn as much as I can about it. For me to expand my knowledge on a subject, any subject that I am working on is a benefit. I truly believe that investing in one's grey matter is highly beneficial. We have many grey cells and no matter how much we study we will not make a dent in them at all.
Some of the material that I read in my research.
The tree of life is a fundamental archetype in many of the world's mythological, religious, and philosophical traditions. It is closely related to the concept of the sacred tree.[1] The concept of the tree of life may have originated in Central Asia, and absorbed by other cultures, such as Scandinavian mythology and Altai shamanism.[2]
The tree of knowledge, connecting to heaven and the underworld, and the tree of life, connecting all forms of creation, are both forms of the world tree or cosmic tree,[3] and are portrayed in various religions and philosophies as the same tree.[4]"
I then cut and sew small samples being guided by my sketch and then when I feel technically in control I move on to choosing the colors.
This can sometimes take a day and sometimes a week. I see the colors in my minds eye down to the smallest detail and then have to open boxes and search for what I am seeing. I refuse to purchase more fabric I have enough to be able to create forever but the trick is to find the colors that I see.
Yesterday I sorted fabrics for 2 tutorials. The Wave Sunset was relatively easy I found most of the colors quite quickly and will quite easily be able to find the rest.
The Tree of Life was a different story. It took me a while to work out how to interpret my vision in fabric and whether I wanted an ethereal or earthy vision. I went with the earthy one and the moment I made that decision I began to find the fabrics that I envisioned in the boxes.
I started with these for the bark of the tree.
And then found these for the greenery around
And for the foliage and flowers I found colors, earthy and yet reaching for the sky.
And now to sew and see how far I can take my wave techniques.