I’ve been making a lot of Mottainai Pieces (small pieces made from scraps to honor the idea that “every little thing is precious”). I planned to make one or at most two a day for at least a year. But I go out to my studio and this pile of intriguing and captivating scraps grabs me and within moments, I’ve lost track of time and mission. Three hours later, I have made more pieces than my “allotment”.

I’m in flow. It’s in that state that we can do something beyond ourselves, something bigger than ourselves as we tap into a universal flow.

My original plan of making one or two a day was beneficial because it moved me from inertia or confusion about what to do in the studio toward action. But, as with all plans, it’s important to stay flexible. I don’t know for sure how long I will continue to make the Mottainai pieces or how many I’ll make but for now, they are full steam ahead.

I also planned to create a monthly series of larger pieces with the theme of Open Spaces. With these pieces, it’s easier to slip into fear as opposed to flow. The paper is very expensive, and I don’t want to waste it. Unlike when working with collage or acrylic on canvas, I have just one opportunity to get the gesture right. I can’t redo it.

Fear will always get in the way of flow.

This month, I found three things that helped me stay in flow when making larger pieces:

Remembering the feeling of flow while making the Mottainai Pieces;
Remembering Elizabeth Gilbert’s great quote, “Choose curiosity over fear.”
And meditating before I start.

It doesn’t always work but I’m improving. And I was able to make five larger, 17” x 12” pieces and 12 smaller ones that I love. Here are the larger ones:

And here’s a sampling of the smaller ones.

shop the February open spaces

Here’s a sampling of the February Mottainai pieces.

shop the february mottainai pieces

So grateful for flow and for all of you.

Sending warm wishes your way.

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