The Fabricivore’s Dilemma
Really, it is a dilemma. Do I go backwards (against all natural inclination) to go forward or go forward knowing a series still in motion will be unalterably changed?
Let’s start at the beginning. In 2007, I painted 100 yards of 60″ white cotton fabric during two weeks of my residency at the Great Expectations Creativity Center in Texas. I had a solo show coming up and, for once in my life, had a plan as time was short.
The series would be based on my experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the palette would be green (from lime to forest), blue (from sky to indigo), orange (from yellow to copper), brown (from tan to chocolate), black, and white.
I loved the fabric I painted. I was so inspired by it that I whipped out that solo show and just kept going. I’m in the #30s for the Boundary Waters series now and feel I still have a lot to say.
But about a month ago I could see I was running out of favorite fabrics. I wanted to keep a record of the Boundary Waters’ palette, so I made this swatch book (made, but not yet assembled):
Boundary Waters’ Swatch Book – Front of pages
Boundary Waters’ Swatch Book – Back of pages
Boundary Waters’ Swatchbook – Detail.
I was surprised how many fabrics were already used up, without even a 3″ square remaining.
Two weeks ago I made a very “watery” artwork with the last little bits of my favorite screenprinted blue fabrics, then I started two Double Moon artworks with the last big pieces of fabric with any blue in them at all.
Then it struck me. This was it. I have a couple of yards of pink/peach/orange/red, some ghastly muddy browns, two wire baskets full of scraps, and not much else from that original 100 yards.
I have never, ever, gone back and painted fabric to coordinate with a previous fabric “run.” The act of painting is as much the act of creation for a series for me as sewing. They both involve experimenting; thinking; tentatively, and then more boldly, following threads of narrative.
Even having a plan and a palette, I was able in the painting of the 100 yards to follow with my heart and head where my hand wanted to go. To go backwards now would be to attempt to recreate a moment that has ceased to exist.
Or do I go forward and approach painting new fabric as a blank canvas and hope what appears will draw the Boundary Waters series forward in a new and positive way?
I am working on many other things, but always in the back of my mind is THE question: Does a series end when the fabric I painted for it runs out? There is no easy answer to this dilemma, but sooner or later I will have to take paint brush in hand and resolve it.
