averting panic . . .

Quiet morning in the studio . . . introspective, meditative, productive . . . just discovered this artist, Nils Frahm, on my Anouar Brahem Pandora stations  . . . perfect soundtrack for this morning's pursuits.  Nils Frahm full Wintermusik album here.

But I began the morning in a familiar place . . . conflicted, itchy, torn.  I'm a good ways into assembling elements for this new collection.  This far in and I'm feeling restricted, there's so many other things I want to make . . . how can I limit it to just this?  I rebel, I squirm and resist.  Finally I come back to the awareness that this process is not the end all, be all to what I make.  This collection is just one facet.

Yes, I know that!  But I want to do it all . . . NOW!  

It's a curious thing the way these moments of almost panic descend.  There's so much I want to do and I think it must be fear that it won't or can't happen, I won't be able to do all the things I want to do.  The challenge is to calm myself down, realize that, as Teri Jo Summer told me many years ago during a consultation, "either / or doesn't serve you."  It was true then, it is just as true now.  Getting back to calm and okay always involves a good bit of internal discussion and deep breathing . . . taking time out to reassure my muse that I am not abandoning the wilder, more avant garde work.  And yes, I'll be coming back to the big picture and master plan, but for now, this work is important . . . this work has a purpose and really does fit into my big picture.

So I'm better now . . . have dialed in the perfect Pandora station and snapped a couple of pics to share. 

the "big picture"

working on some bigger pieces and chain link combinations

To placate my muse, I'm expanding a bit from my initial vision of a petite and fairly conservative collection.  I'm varying the scale and adding some bigger pieces for a wider range of price points.  Last night I pulled out stacks of old sketches and catalogs and a few of my favorite vintage pieces to spice up the design process.  It's always a good thing to look to my past work for inspiration.  Time will tell if any of it gets worked into the new designs.

Panic has subsided and I'm relieved that I'm itching to get back to work . . .

with deep gratitude . . . kvk