What Is a Body of Work | Becoming Better Skilled In Making

what is volume?

"It all starts with the volume of your work. Repetition is the mother of skill." Chase Jarvis

This quote as found in the book Creative Calling, has found its way into my making. Even before having unpacked this book and having previously been inspired by the word volume, I could be found creating similar makings again and again. Chase calls it volume. And what is so fantastic, after having ready that book and had my mind explode about the idea of volume in a fresh way, well then, it began to crop up everywhere. In an art workshop I attended. In Instagram posts from other makers. In books I was reading along side 'Creative'.  When ideas from our thoughts begin to pop up in other areas...well...that is an article for another time. Right now let's talk about volume.

 

Or...'body of work'. I also like that term, and while not exactly volume, it is similar. And the actual subject of today's post.

Body of work, as defined by the inter web is this: 'a cohesive collection of pieces created by an artist that share consistent themes, styles, mediums or subject matter'. Yes. Love that. Great way to define just what it is I am thinking when it comes to body of works.

Let me share with you a few examples of a body of work as found in the studio lately, and see if in fact you might be thinking the same.

This image above, and then the one above that, is a most recent body of work. Having just recently received the Magical Colors, this creative needed to play. A body of work is a most lovely way to do just that. These Mixed Media panels started with the blank white page. I know...that too is a subject for another time. Having an idea how I wanted to go about some backgrounds with the Magical Colors, I then made more than one. In this particular instance I only made the 'In This Minute' and then the above 'All the Little Details'.  So this would be a small example of a body of work. 

However, if one included this piece above, which still follows the definition of a 'body of work', well then, I actually have three workable pieces from one creative session that is cohesive using much of the same mediums. OK...so here is when the maker nerd reveals herself: I LOVE THIS! This inspiration that comes from taking time to make, to keeping the mediums similar, to then creating multiple pieces is so very rewarding. The moral of the story to this entire post is to encourage you to do the same in your making. Even if it is a scrapbook page. Make more than one and perhaps even create a variation on a theme. You can thank me later.

This body of work above, which I am calling the Rule of 4, is a most perfect example of a body of work. These four pieces were made at the same time. You can see exactly how this came together in this video instruction HERE.  It's fueling even more want to create bodies of work for many reasons:

• Repetition removes the pressure of “this one has to be the one,” which frees you up to explore more
• The same color palette or mediums create visual cohesion without having to over think it
• Momentum builds quickly when you are already set up and in creative flow
• What you like and want to try again will be revealed through this repetition
• It invites: 'what if I try this?'
• You will discover variations on a theme instead of having to start over each time
• Repetition creates more skill
• Inspiration comes easier and even more quickly
• You will have more to show for your efforts
• The artist within will begin to show up as patterns begin to emerge

This one here, the birthday tags, was inspired by an SBC bundle that I was not really vibing with very well. I mean...let's be honest, not all products will inspire. But I challenged myself to create a background like some of my favorite backgrounds that I hoarded have in my stash. So each background is almost exactly similar. But still...body of work...even if they are both the same. Monet and his lilies anyone?

I shared this body of work in a blog post recently. I will post that HERE. Again, same backgrounds for the most part. Each a little different because ink does what ink wants to do. The background stamp changed from panel to panel. Each of the butterflies is different. But the stamped sentiment is the same. Each of these pieces were added into a mini accordion book, so I was able to play with pattern paper to make each just a bit different too. Thanks to Arden Creative Studio's Hidden Creek I was inspired for the colors of the background.

Volume builds skill. Skill builds confidence. And confidence gives you the freedom to try more, risk more, and discover more. So instead of asking “what should I make?”, try asking “what can I make more of?” Then follow that thread and see where it leads. Let me know how that goes for you.

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Keep making!

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