This week is the second installment of my “think it, make it” posts. Last week I wrote about my struggles and successes following my inspirations, and this week I want to share the materials and processes I am using with these new works.
There is a dichotomy that exists between art and craft. I know these two realms have changed in their connotation over the centuries, but I’m mainly concerned with their current meanings. It very much seems to me that “art” is important and appreciated. And on the other hand, I have this sneaking suspicion that “craft” is code for feminine/female; which is to say, it must be trivial and insignificant.
So here is my problem: I want to make art, but I love craft supplies. I’ve always felt this disconnect between the types of supplies I’m drawn to and the type of work I want to create. For instance, I love scrapbook paper, but I’m not really into scrapbooking. I love embroidery floss, but I don’t like to embroider. (My only attempt at embroidering ended with my nightgown accidentally sewn into my piece. My grandma told me she had done that too when she was a girl.) I don’t know why it took me so long to figure out, but I finally decided I could incorporate craft materials into my art, and that’s what I’m doing in my new work.
In my new pieces, I’ve incorporated decorative scrapbook paper, embroidery floss, and alphabet stickers, but I’ve made the materials less precious by covering them with acrylic paint. I especially love the effect this has on the paper because I’m able to control how much of the original pattern and color show through. I’m also experimenting with different ways of scratching, tearing, and destroying the surface, which also works at lessening the sweet factor of the craft supplies.
I’ve enjoyed the creation process over the last few weeks. It’s definitely been slower than I’m used to, but I feel like this slowing down has helped me to really look at my pieces and make better artistic decisions. I still have a great deal of crafting supplies to experiment with and I’m eager to see what else I can throw at the canvas. Finally, here are my latest works created this past week:
Megan Caldwell Chandler 
Like, like, like! Wonderful creativity and I empathise with what you say about craft supplies v. art. I drool over craft supplies!! But I don’t do craft! Weird. Maybe we do what is expected of us. I hugely admire these works, Keep going! It doesn’t matter where, just keep going.
Thanks so much, Adam! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who is drawn to craft supplies. And I’m definitely going to keep going with this collection. I have a lot of ideas inside my head, and I’m going to get them all down in paint, even if it kills me!