Hollis Chatelain

I was searching for a book on quilting, hoping to find some inspiration for patterns.  I came across Visions:  Quilt Expressions which included the works of various artists.   Hollis Chatelain is one of the many artists included in this compilation of quilts.  In her work, Chatelain explores nature, abstract and figurative concepts.  I'm still learning about her and her work.  This piece reminded me of some of my abstract works.

"From Stone"  ©  Hollis Chatelain 

http://www.hollisart.com

Andy Goldsworthy -

"When I make a work, I often take it to the very edge of its collapse, that's the beauty of balance" - Goldsworthy


For the past two weeks I have been exploring the work of Andy Goldsworthy.  Although I was  already familiar with his work, I hadn't spent much time thinking about his process.   Although his sculptural work is  labor-intensive, the nature of it is very playful.  There is something truly magical about the way he manipulates whatever material he lays his hands on.

In his artist statement for Stone, Goldsworthy stated:  "In the past I have felt uncomfortable when my work has been associated with children because of the implication that what I do is merely play.  Since having children of my own, however, and seeing the intensity with which they discover through play, I have to acknowledge this in my work as well".

My search to understand his process lead to the the film: Rivers and Tides (Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time) which offers a glimpse into the painstakingly process behind the intricate work of Goldsworthy.  It's amazing to witness how one's interest in understanding a given natural environment can lead to such beautiful works of art.  In terms of his process, we see how he starts with an idea which lead to sketches, from there the courting process of getting acquainted with his surroundings begins.  He speaks of the great influence water (the sea and the river) has in his process.  Like water, his process is guided by "growth, time, change and ideas of flow in nature".