Reflections and surprises

Reflection - an important process for anyone - A process that requires long walks on the beach and careful consideration ....I've started this blog about 4 times now - each time spinning off into a tangent only I could find, there is sooooo much to reflect on - the digital age, and how I find it difficult, Dr Martens, just how many pairs do I need?  Student life, is it what I expected it to be? Why is everyone else's work so tidy?  Landscape or Portrait?  Would I ever have white furniture or grey even... Can one ever have too much fabric? What influences me most? And why? Most of these can't be answered simply so I wont lose sleep over the questions but being curious is the passage to a long and healthy life

So in order to have a little break from drawing, painting and collaging Dr Martens I'm going to have a little think..  In relation to being a student of printed and constructed textiles - I'm  going to start with what has surprised me - I am often surprised  .... it can be a lovely feeling (the exception being usually anything to do with politics but then again maybe nothing surprises me there!!!).

To date this year here are my top ten surprises (+ two ha ha...  I never quite know when to stop)

• At how little like hard work this all is - its good fun but how long it all can take. I'm constantly losing track of time, college days speeding by ... every time I think about it its Monday again!!
• At how quickly ideas can flood into my head and then leave almost as quick, I think this is a natural filtering process - the good ones somehow manage to hook in and cling on until I act on them the rest just float through my consciousness leaving small ripples which may develop further.
• At how some of those ideas develop into samples that are quite concrete and artistic, may be nothing like the original concept often something completely different but very pleasing.
• I can draw - maybe not every ones idea of drawing but it works for me.
• I love colour - that's not really a surprise but what is a surprise is that other people don't love colour so much.
• I don't need to see the finished idea in my head any more - this is something I've learnt this year.
• how concepts flow - just drawing even a bit aimlessly lead to great things - sometimes ...
• You can teach an old dog new tricks... I will get my head around Photo shop. 
• Practise really does help.
• On a less positive note I've been quite surprised at how difficult this 'independant' learning malarkey can be - maybe its old age and an irrational inability to master apple macs.. but I've found adjusting into returning to learn harder then I had imagined - still fun but I think my expectations were too high..
• How addictive Pinterest is.... need I say more!!
• What fantastic textile art is out there - I'm so liking the research and discovering wonderful new inspiration.