Embroidered Collage

So now that I completed one piece of art in a new format that I really enjoy, what's next?  Making more.  At least ninety-nine more in this size - 12"x12" mounted on 1 1/2" deep stretcher bars.  I am going to challenge myself to take these One Hundred Footsteps.  I know that sounds a bit cheesey, but One Hundred Square Feet and One Hundred Square Foots just didn't resonate with me.  This name brings to mind the journey that I always say that I'm on, to develop my art.

I've been fascinated with the "paint 100 paintings" idea since I first heard about it and have previously flirted with the idea of setting a similar goal.  But whenever I thought about it I was distracted by how much I wouldn't be able to do if a 100 goal was where I was putting my time.  But now I think I have the right goal because it feels comfortable to have one less choice to make.  So why this goal?

I made the decision that I wasn't going to work larger pieces on paper anymore.  Anything that I really wanted to do on paper I could do on canvas instead, although it sometimes requires modifications.  This simplified my future goals dramatically.

I like the square shape.  I like its solidity and symmetry.  It resonates with me.  That part is simply a personal decision.

The unframed canvas with edges that continue the design on front relates more to the textile tradition, in my mind at least, than a framed canvas or paper piece.  I feel that the deeper stretcher bars set off the mixed media work better than the traditional 3/4" depth.

The size was influenced by both artistic and business considerations.  I wanted to work as small as I could and still fully use the techniques I was interested in.  This way I could complete pieces more quickly, learning as much as possible in the limited time available.  It's also a little less intimidating and a little easier to store in the house. 

But to make the work financially viable I need to make work that costs at least a certain amount.  I knew the price per inch that I was comfortable with and worked back from there.  If I submitted a piece to an exhibit and sold it, then I wanted the price to cover the usual 50% commission, the entry fee to the show, the shipping to the show, the base materials such as the stretcher bars, and then make enough of a profit to help convince the IRS that I am trying to run a legitimate business instead of a tax shelter for my day job.  12"x12" fit all of my criteria.

One hundred pieces is going to take me years, at least seven, likely many more, but it is worthwhile and I have no driving need to speed up the process.  I may no longer need the stricture of the challenge along the way, and branch off into something else.  I may complete works in other sizes during that time as well.  But for now this feels right and will be a focus as I develop my skills and create further.

As it happens, my timing for this post coincided with the Problogger Group Writing Project, so I submitted it.  While I am not currently writing a monetized blog I have learned many interesting things reading Problogger that apply to making what I do write more accessible.