Making mosaic resolutions
I always find that it helps to have a target or two written down, printed out and taped somewhere conspicuous so that you can’t escape it. I’ve been writing an annual list of mosaic resolutions for some time now and sticking it up over my studio table.
Write them down
As the year progresses, the board gets covered up with other things – postcards of mosaics, pages torn out of magazines, and reminders about materials that I am running out of. But then, every so often, the mosaic resolutions list re-emerges beneath all the detritus and it reminds me where I am and where I’m going. Sometimes the reminder comes in an affirmative way: ‘ah, yes, I wanted to do that, and I’ve done it.’ However, at other times, it prompts that sinking feeling you get when you realise that you’ve forgotten to thank a dear old aunt for the packet of embroidered hankies she gave you for Christmas.
Here’s the board with last year’s list totally submerged:
Keep it prominent
For me, writing out my mosaic resolutions helps keep my nose to the grindstone. This time last year my resolution list included taking on the task of redesigning and updating my website myself (as opposed to getting a professional web designer). The knowledge that I intended to do it hung over me for almost the whole year. I kept putting it off and putting it off. I did not want to stop making mosaics in order to waste time fiddling around with technology. As the summer approached and I knew I was running out of time, I took a deep breath, sat down and did it.
The point is that I only did it because I wrote it down so that I couldn’t escape it. Of course I could have just thrown the piece of paper in the bin but that would have been cheating. And if I hadn’t written it down, I would have either a) forgotten about it or b) thought of some excuse why it wasn’t so important after all and never got around to it.
Artistic goals
Well, now it’s time for this year’s mosaic resolutions. Generally, I like to keep them short and achievable and also, when it comes to setting creative goals, a little bit flexible. I don’t want to tell myself I must make x or y and find myself dreading it. Every project has to be approached with enthusiasm and new ideas. The intentions must allow allow different avenues to open up as you don’t want to unintentionally block yourself in. I also find that if the list is too long, it just adds a layer of stress which is completely unnecessary. Keep it simple. Keep to the things you really, really want to be sure you’ve done (d.v) by this time next year amidst all the other things you’ll be doing.
Mosaic resolutions
1. Make two wedding mosaics: one for a dear friend in Greece who is getting married next month and another for my nephew who is getting married in 2014 in the UK. I’ve got ideas but I am not sure exactly what I want to do yet.
2. Make a kitchen splash back for a friend’s house in Normandy. This is something that I really have been thinking about for ages and we’ve discussed designs and sizing and materials and I’m all set to go, so I must get to work. It will be done on mesh so it’s easy to transport.
3.Sign up for this: http://liturgy-east-x-west.org/online-icon-course.html. I started making icons a year or so ago because I am away from home for at least two months a year and cant make mosaics. Icon painting will mean I will have something I can take with me wherever I go. I thought about taking up embroidery, and maybe I will, but meanwhile it is icons. Here’s one I’m still working on in a class in Athens: