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I have been working on a larger art project for the last two months. I made a movie prop which was a
book/journal for a feature film called, "The Book of Stars." It was all paintings, drawings, and collage.
At first I was very overwhelmed with the scope of the project.
It was larger than anyone could really see, and as I began to work on it I got
more overwhelmed, it was huge. After continually plowing into this project over weeks I saw that I slowly
began to be able to "see" what I was doing.
I found myself one evening standing in my studio totally surrounded by the work. I had hundreds
of pieces of paper and paintings scattered around me, on the floor, on the tables, and on the walls. I could see it all,
360 degrees. I saw that being surrounded and being able to see on different levels
is an important way to create, especially something so large.
Here is the advice. Any time you begin a large project, realize that being intimidated, feeling blind and stupid is part
of the process. First clean up your existing space, need another table?, need to get rid of something else
for awhile? Next slowly with discipline and a steady heart start to work. Keep working even when you don't want to.
Slow and steady. Try to flush out the main points and places that the project needs to address. It is like making a map.
Get and stay organized, have piles for scraps, for pictures, another pile for phone numbers. Clean up as you go. Then when you need something you will know where it is, or you might be able to just scan your studio and see a piece that is exactly what you are looking for. The main image I want to stress is standing in the center of your project and being able to SEE it on the floor, tables, and on the wall.