No matter how much I state intention and plan design, I always come to a phase in a project where I’m a little lost. I have stamps and scraps and paint all over the place. I’m snipping fabric and rearranging shapes to see what works. This is where I can’t remember where I was going with this design.
This stage is the Messy Middle. It’s tempting to give up and throw it in the trash. When this happens, I realize I’m taking the whole thing a bit too seriously. I remind myself that I’ve been here before. Having an ongoing art practice allows me to remember other times I felt frustrated. I know if I keep going, eventually the design will come together. So I keep going…
What about you? Do you experience the Messy Middle? How do you keep going?
Harriette
16 Feb 2021Yes, I have been in the “messy middle” many times. I know exactly what you are talking about. Rather than ruin what I have done, my solution is to put it away and work on something else. It doesn’t HAVE to be finished, so I go on with my life in a different direction. I come back to the art piece later and look at it with new eyes. It could be weeks or months later that I see how the artwork needs to be finished.
Pam
16 Feb 2021In Anne Hightower Patterson’s watercolor classes we used to call it the ugly stage! A little time away always helps me! Xo
Donna
16 Feb 2021No question that I experience that messy middle stage.In fact, I am experiencing it right now. Wish I could show a pic of my corner of mountain cottage space in the bedroom
Barbara Howe
21 Feb 2021This is true of all kinds on projects: software, novels, … Keep repeating, I’ve been here before, and it worked out fine. I’ve been here before…