Making Mushrooms

I started playing around with making mushrooms today.  I have some ideas, but really just needed to start working with the materials to figure out what I would do. At the end of the day, I’m still uncertain.

I did some drawing from my photos, focusing on one mushroom.

I’m trying not to think too much about what these mushrooms will become after I make them.

I do have a sense of wonder and delight in the mushroom I find. They’re like little living sculptures. And I hope to be able to get that feeling across in whatever form the mushrooms take.

After making the first mushroom and not being happy with it, I wanted to try molding the fabric by sewing it by hand.  I wanted it to feel less constrained. More emotional.

So I simply started with a piece of red fabric. I sewed some by hand and some on my free motion sewing machine.

I liked this process better, but it didn’t quite work either.

Tomorrow I’ll try again. It’s a little discouraging, but I’ve been thinking about making mushrooms for over a year without ever having a clear vision of it.  So now, experimenting with materials and construction is the only way forward.

I feel like just getting started, like making the commitment is important.  My intention of working with the mushrooms is clear even if my vision isn’t.

I’ve started the process and I’m trusting it will lead me where I need to go.