A little story about inspiration
In my mixed media online class I show a lot of techniques but also share thoughts about the process in general and inspiration in particular. I hadn’t imagined it but while teaching I’m learning so much from myself! This Dali Dog cowl is the result of me teaching, talking, listening & learning:
Art cowl “Dali-Dog”: nuno & paper felted, free motion stitched, colored with dyes and paints
Isn’t it funny how inspiration works?
I started this cowl in my first mixed media online class, demonstrating how a critter, found in marks, can be transferred on paper and felted with wool. My intention was to create an art cowl…
After the demo I found myself looking on a funny dog – turned a bit too pinkish during the felting process - and I had no idea what to do with it. —> Huge LACK of INSPIRation.
Digitally painted dog on paper, felted into white merino wool.
Another class and another time to complete the work!
Around two month later I found myself in the second online mixed media class, speaking about Dali and his hilarious citations, which makes me laugh every time I come across them. After the class I saw the this funny dog waiting patiently for his fulfillment and suddenly I knew it: This is a Dali dog!!!
Just one detail was missing: the iconic moustache!
Belief it or not, the moustache was laying on top of my “scrap drawer” when I pulled it out (SERENDIPITY!!!). I just had to sew it and sculpture it slightly with wet felting techniques. In less than 10 minutes, the dog was completed and I happily went in with some free motion stitching.
Speak Banderole
The grayish nunofelted blank space made me think of a speak banderole: a perfect space to add a Dali quote to honor this amazing painter!
“I’m not strange, I’m just not normal”
seemed the perfect addition to the unusual dog. And another Dali quote also resonated in me :
“A true artiste is not someone who is inspired, but someone who inspires others”.
The free room was perfect for both, one on the first side, on the other.
Happy with this I still had to deal with the pinkish shade. I grabbed some dyes and paints and started to color. As it happens more and more often, I felt into a trance like state and am glad that I hit the “recording buton” right on time before forgetting the whole world around me for a magic moment in pure creativity.
Insight of the magic creative coloring process
Just a second and two hours later the Dali dog cowl was completed and I had lived this wonderful fulfilled moment only creating procures to me.
The art cowl is maybe still available in my online shop.
If you looing for inspiration - check out this wonderful funny Dali interview with Malcolm Muggeridge in 1955.