Multi Media Mania (a journey into sensory overload)

[Emily Davlin]

Although my creative path began a long time ago at the sewing machine...... I have found myself becoming an "art supply junkie"
Sometimes I am truly amazed at the variety of materials I have accumulated over the years. I have just now begun flexing my creative muscles enough to attempt to combine several mediums into each piece I start.
I wonder if anyone else here compulsively collects materials, and then looses the idea that drove us to purchase the item in the first place? Is there a time for letting go of unused supplies without regret? Does your stash overwhelm you at times and refuse all attempts at organization? Does anyone suffer from extreme creative highs and lows? these are just some questions I have not answered for myself yet.

[marie Johansen]

I have collected supplies for years as well. Two years ago I decided to take advantage of an opportunity to go part time within the same department at work. The extra time has allowed me to unearth these treasures and remember why I was interested in them in the first place ! I don't have as much money now for new supplies - but I am finally taking advantage of the things I bought years ago. I think we all have creative highs and lows and I also think that the "fallow" times are as important as the "on" times. When I hit the proverbial wall - I just take a break and do something else (or nothing) for awhile. Inevitably inspiration returns and I 'produce' again. Sometimes I just need to take a step back in order to be able to move forward effectively.

[arlee barr]

The ONLY place in my life where i'm a packrat is my studio!! I have stopped buying certain things as they are usually variations on what i already have; in the last year i have started Mixing It Up as well and now consider myself a mixed media artist who works primarily with textiles and textile techniques--if that makes sense :}
I have along the way thrown out or given things away, usually because they are ugly! Or have realized i could do the same with "ordinary" fabric or paper. As for organization--well, it's in the studio somewhere, so that counts as organization right, cause it's in no other place :}
Extreme highs and lows come with the territory. I personally have pills for it :} (Clinical Depression) The low times are for reading, sketching and cleaning!

[Shirley Goodwin]

Yes to all of the above. I thought those things were quite normal.

[MICHELLE DOBELL]

Oh thank goodness im not the only one...I thought i might be suffering from some sort of illness lol Im really shocking at the moment because I have been out of the scene for a few years and have just come back and OMG! all the gorgeous stuff available. Ive spent heaps on books and materials. BUT!!! now Im making money I actually selling my works for decent money and loving every minute of exploring new ways of doing old things. Im one happy momma ask my kids they love it and we all go shopping ect covered in paint and sticky glitter lol. Best money I ever invested yet. So think of these materials as an investment in happiness...joy...cant be bought in storese but is created and ok the money side can be a nice perk too. I am wondering what will be on the market next and I will be first in the store lol. smiles Michelle No need to feel guilty just get arty is my motto

[Sandra Wyman]

Have just redone my studio and have had to find homes for all the things I never had before. I seem to have loads of new stuff I haven't had time to use yet and that's in addition to a huge floor-to-ceiling cupboard full of stuff I still have to dye (getting the dye-room sorted is my next project). I am dangerous let loose in an embroidery/quilt show: I try to go without my credit-card but somehow it creeps into my bag when I'm not looking. Even when I'm not spending I'm getting new stuff - there are some great recyclables out there. But my major vice is books books and more books I can't resist - there are so many new ones about new techniques these days. It's good however to know I'm normal. I shall have to step things down a bit when I retire in June though!

[Emily Davlin]

Hey Sandra!
I forgot to mention the B(ook) word in my original post. Lately, I have had a revelation that maybe checking out stuff from my local library might be a better idea that buying books sight-un-seen from Amazon and all the other ones who send me catalogs. Of course, not all of the stuff I want is in the library. And.,I'll have to be honest enough to admit that there are times when I've rushed to the computer and ordered the item as soon as I look thru it.
It's a hoot to find "New" stuff in your own stash, too. As for Quilt shows....like the big one here in Houston last month I have to take an EXTRA prozac before I leave the house....LOL ....and stop at the ATM on the way to get CASH up to my spending limit. Otherwise there would be nothing but guilt afterward. I'm still paying off stuff bought on credit back when I was trying to make a "business" of my addiction.

[Maureen Grantham]

I too think the overflow of stuff is 'normal'. I try not to buy too much now partly because I probably already have something like it and partly (mainly) because I have nowhere to put it!

The highs and lows are fairly normal I think. I just go with the flow, think sometimes that during the lows I subconsciously work on things.

[Hopscotch]

Haven't you heard, folks - minimalism is out, the "Aladin's Cave" look is in! (Thank Goodness)

[Meg Fowler]

It's a disease, ladies! If it's new, we've gotta have it! Doesn't matter that our studios are already so overcrowded we can't find anything, we foolishly think we can squeeze one more thing in. And books ... OMG ...if it's published, I have it. Sometimes I have TWO of them! (Maybe that's so if I can't find one, the other one might be shelved in the right place???)

[Maria Davis]

Hi Emily

I had to laugh because every single word you said describes me!!! You're not alone, sister!! I too, am guilty of art supply junkie!!! Glad to hear that there are more people out there just like me.

Thanks for sharing !!

[Emily Davlin]

Hi Maria!
Thanks for being my"'sister-in-art-insanity' LOL....... I am happy to report that I have taken time to do some heavy-duty re-organizing and now I can (almost) put my hands on anything I have . My motivation has been the exterme need to get my stuff put into movable storage.....so that I can get the filthy-smelly carpet out of my studio and replace it with laminate floor. Now, all I need to accomplish is find a place to move it to while the floor guys are here.......Next chore .......clear out another room. Oh dear.....where will it ever end so I can go back to making art?????? I saw a motto once that said.."a clean desk is a sign of a sick mind" And the adventure continues...................................

[Maeve Hunter]

I agree with what you say, but dont get rid of them - you will eventually find a use for them ! Definitely the highs and lows- sometimes Im impressed with my work and sometimes I wonder why I call myself an artist at all !