It’s 2023 and time to dig in. This video is about the process of creating something new. For me that comes in fits and stops and starts and then going back to older projects when the fear becomes to great and also while I figure out what’s next.
I also am starting the year with a new motto!
A couple links to things and people I mention in this video:
Molotow Markers: https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100666501-13717235?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fmolotow-one4all-acrylic-markers%2F%3FclickTracking%3Dtrue%26wmcp%3Dpla%26wmcid%3Ditems%26wmckw%3D19910-1039&cjsku=19910-1039
Pat Pauly’s hand dyed linens: https://www.patpauly.com/shop?category=Linen+Fabric
Pete Holmes: https://peteholmes.com
Pete Holmes – Crashing on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/crashing
And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/show/SC1TGz4mgKN6Hys-PM8EUwKg?season=1&sbp=CgEx
Pete Holmes Sex God: https://amzn.to/3QmZNWv
Workshops: https://arianezurcher.com/workshops/
Designs:
Making Waves – A Drawstring Bag: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/making-waves-downloadable-pdf-files-for-diy-drawstring-bag/
Scissor Case: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/the-perfect-gift-a-diy-embroidered-lined-scissor-case-w-detailed-instructions/
Waves – A Soft Case for Glasses and other things: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/the-perfect-gift-a-diy-glasses-multifunctional-embroidered-lined-case/
River Rocks Pouch: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/diy-linen-wool-fully-lined-zippered-pouch/
Rock Gardens – A Variation on a Rice Sack: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/a-variation-on-a-japanese-rice-sack-rock-gardens-a-diy-embroidered-bag/
Otter Needle Roll: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/diy-wool-otter-needle-roll/
Large Abstract Pouch: https://arianezurcher.com/Boutique/stitching-patterns-and-designs/diy-large-zippered-wool-cotton-bag-pdf-pattern/
Come and join my private Facebook group ~ Ariane Zurcher Creative Circle: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295815111542402
Stop by!
My Website: https://arianezurcher.com
Blog: https://arianezurcher.com/blog/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianezurcher/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/arianezurcher/
After graduating from Parsons School of Design, I began my career in fashion design and freelanced both in New York City, as well as London. I designed hand knits for Elle Magazine and was the editor of the Hand Knit Page before hand knits fell out of fashion in the early 1990’s and the page was discontinued. In 2008 I launched my jewelry design business, designing fine jewelry in 18 & 20 Kt Gold with gemstones that I hand select for each piece. Several awards and numerous write ups & interviews later, I rediscovered hand stitching and my life took another turn, eventually leading me to improvisational stitching, which I teach workshops on: https://arianezurcher.com/workshops/
I was awarded an artist’s residency in Orquevaux, France and began playing with paint on the fabric pieces I was creating, which rekindled my love of painting, abstract art and collage.
I sold my first felt embroidered xmas tree ornaments to a small shop in Northern California when I was 16 years old, sold a painting that same year and never looked back. And while I’ve had detours along the way: had two children, worked at an advertising agency, got into acting in my early 20’s, published numerous articles for various magazines and wrote for the Huffington Post, I have always created in some form. Art is my love and remains so to this day.
I love inspiring and encouraging others to create as well and to find their voice through whatever medium suits them. So come with me as I explore the creative process in all its varied forms, strengthening and finding my voice, while learning to strengthen and find yours as well!
Pliers: Lindstrom Needle Nose Pliers that I use: https://amzn.to/2XuBuuu
Fiskar Micro Tip Scissors: https://amzn.to/3cMEgAY
Perfect Circle Templates: https://amzn.to/3h7RsnI
Tulip Bullion Knot Needles: https://amzn.to/3dM9byF
#24 Chenille Needles: https://amzn.to/3dIYPzA
#22 Chenille Needles: https://amzn.to/2A2ufmb
6″ Ruler: https://amzn.to/3h3jbWr
Fabric Chalk Pencil: https://amzn.to/2zb8AYj
Stef Francis Threads: https://www.stef-francis.co.uk/shop/
All jewelry worn in this video is designed by Ariane Zurcher available at: http://www.arianezurcher.com
*Disclaimer: Ariane is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to www.amazon.com at no additional cost to you.
26 Comments
Love this-I really love the mono-print and cannot wait to see it progress. The books are amazing! Keep it up, you are doing great things.
Love it love it love it
Sure wish u would follow/like/comment on my instagram.
You have been instrumental through your YouTube videos pushing me to try new projects.
Ariane, I totally relate to your process—fear, stall, distract myself with something else—repeat. I try to tell myself the piece or work is marinating in possibility. I also try to tell myself it’s only paper, fabric, paint, thread, modeling paste e.t.c. Am I always successful? Nope. I also ask myself if I am having fun yet. If not, I dig in and do stuff. You know, like slap some paint in that space and see what happens… My motto this year is “ Have fun and play with wild abandon.” Blood, sweat, and tears not allowed. Thank you for the video!
Happy new year. Be happy, keep safe and healthy
Thank you Ariane !!! I’m going to follow your process. I’ve tried keeping to one project and my thinking (fear?) results in avoidance which limits my time on my artistic pursuits. Xxx
Happy New Year, Ariane! As usual, I love what you're doing, but I'm curious as to how you do free motion quilting in your art journal? The idea totally intrigues me as I love to incorporate painting, collage and sewing together. I've done a few pieces, but never in a book. How do you manipulate the book?
Very thankful for your teachings. I am very excited to get started on some new projects once I receive my stuff from Stef Francis. You are inspiring!! Happy New Year!!
As we say: Me too. Thanks, Ariane, for the reality check!
Good to see you, Ariane. First……..love your hair in the second take. Anyway………yes, I can relate. OH BOY can I relate. I had to laugh…..it did me good to hear you talk about your fears in creating. I was laughing so hard and so well that it was cathartic. Yes, Thank You.
I made 3 framed fiber collages for my 3 siblings………for my brother, I did a brown trout. One sister a seascape with one of those beach fences in the foreground and some reeds, ocean and sunrise; the other sister………a bluebird house with morning glories vining over it. I thought that that one was going to be the easiest and that the trout was going to be the most difficult…..the seascape fell in the middle. Turns out that the trout was easiest and the birdhouse was awfully difficult. On each one of them there was INTENSE fear coupled with the quintessential "hitting the wall syndrome". I worked passed the walls in the first two, but the birdhouse and the morning glories……..OIYABUNGA……..I was hitting walls everywhere, they would not leave me alone. FEAR intensified. Stopping, sweating, fretting the now-whats……….yes indeed, I can relate. My Studio isn't large enough for me to have other projects going to escape off to, so I have to leave the room and go cook or do laundry or iron…….whatever. There was a Yes, Thank You in the birdhouse though. I had made a morning glory…….spent 2 days working on it only to find out that I had fused it to tracing paper instead of parchment paper and it would NOT release. Yes, Thank You. Mainly because: Lesson learned……….thankful that it wasn't the WHOLE piece, birdhouse, vines, and leaves, it was just one flower………thankful that now I am VERY MUCH more diligent in choosing my substrates for future works.
Yes, Thank You for taking the time to visit with us and share. I LOVE your transparency. It's a shot in the arm for me. Blessings to you……….BTW……….Love the black and white…….it's going to be lovely. It has so much potential.
Thanks for sharing your process.
The beast quality as an artist you have is that you are you and no-one else. So happy to see you again. Love your creative process. Thank you for sharing
So good to have you back! I'll be very interested to follow your thinking as you work. Thanks!
Actually Ariane I envy how creative you are with your needle and threads and so fluid as I've watched you stitch something so beautiful just in the moment so it's interesting to see how you also still turn to another piece for a different thought process and break. I also like Anna B's word for 2023 'Breathe'. I just keep counting my blessings. I think 2023 should be the year I finally delve into the Stef Francis/Caron D paints/oddments of fabrics/collected bits and pieces and DO something with them!! 2022 plans went awry in January being asked to knit/stitch crafts for various charities then ended making gifts for family and friends so I'm hoping to make more time for creativity this year and not feel so frustrated. I only really enjoyed designing the quilt incorporating all my husband's old RAF work badges and Station names he served at for 30 years. Yes, 2023 is my new start🙂 I hope this helps you work through your grief too. God bless.
Amazing. Thank you 😊 💓
I remember finding you here, on YouTube. I think we have similar characteristics. I can go from panic mode to self critical or even confused. For many years, everything was sandwiched into a bundle. The doctor labeled it pulmonary disease. It is not. It’s subtle and it does effect my lungs. Mostly anything can set me off. Now that I take medications that address my mental issues I am able to function better. I remember in one video you were depressed. I am an empath. I didn’t ask to be one. I just feel what you are feeling and sometimes I can truly relate. Now that I have watched more of your videos I understand you better. And I try to be the empath I’m supposed to be. And I listen without taking in the emotional pain. I think the way you work is understandable. I practice Julia Cameron’s ways of getting unstuck by writing morning pages. I know it is not enough. I need to go look at other people’s art like at a gallery or a museum. It took me awhile to figure out what the problem was. And I talk to myself all the time. I ask myself or God or in general “spirit”. It works but only when I ask. I’ve studied painting with people who show their work in galleries. They are always working at several pieces at the same time. I’ve seen a photo of ten canvases on an easel at a time. I’ve seen this way of working on IG and I tell myself that’s what I want to do. I’m still limited financially. The money is not there for the supplies. So please don’t judge yourself so harshly. Maybe you are missing you cat and it gets into your mind while you are working. Rather than fight it, just be happy because your work is very beautiful. I like somethings better than others. I think we know when we’ve nailed it. It is something just pleasing to our eyes. I like the journal. And the separate pieces. Something that had pinks and peach colors and trim really attracted my interest. Just work everyday that you can. Chuck Close gives advice on being creative. It is on the internet. He said to just get up each day and work on your craft. Don’t worry about how things look. There will be moments of epiphany every once in awhile. And then it starts to make sense. I have an article on my Facebook page about a long time friend who calls himself a painter. He’s 75. And he has just humped from obscurity to recognition. He struggled for years to make the rent. God puts people on our path. I really love watching how people work including you. Keep working through your journey. It looks very interesting. 💙🙏🏻💙
However your process leads you or emotions work thru you, your creativity is breathtaking. 😊
Happy New Year Ariane. Can't wait to see your process, I know it will be A MA ZING. And Yes!, Thank You, Thank You and another Thank You…un fuerte abrazo
I totally sympathize with your "what do I do next". I am the same way. Some people make it look so easy.
You should put a memory of Merlin in your new project. Just throwing it out there.
Just wish you knew how much joy you bring to so many. I so appreciate what you do. Love the journal idea. It never ceases to amaze me how what looks like just stuff when you start , becomes something so beautiful. I know life is sad for you right now. Hoping you find peace .I am glad you’re back. I missed you.
Yes thankyou..for being here and showing us your talents
You are fabulous, so glad you are moving on and sharing with all of us that love you
Thank you Arianne for sharing your process. I am glad I am not the only one who flits from one project to another!
Thank You! I can relate so much to your process! It is so reassuring to hear I am not alone. It helps to ease my way! (I can get very anxious about all this). Thank you!
Thanks Ariane! I love your philosophy on grief and loss. Also, your pictures of your crusty, lovable Merlin🤗. Your thoughts are always so helpful to me as I bump along w my life. Sandy