Spinning My Wheels

This summer Poiema Visual Arts will be holding its very first biennial art conference, “Finding Our Place: The Artist, the Church & Placemaking,” in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As we prepare for this exciting event, we want to introduce you to some of the unique individuals who will be presenting this year. Our speakers bring together a rich mix of experiences that we feel sure will encourage and challenge all who attend. 

In this post, we are privileged to introduce you to Bethany Fethkenher, a fiber artist who creates using mixed media techniques. Bethany will be presenting two breakout sessions at our conference titled “ Textiles in Scripture” and “Visual Merchandising.” We invite you to lean in as Bethany shares with us how her process has taught her to circumvent barriers to creativity. 

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I’m a fiber artist. I spin a wheel to make my art. Spinning yarn often requires a calm tedious type of patience. This patience requires me to purposefully slow my mind and heart. Yet just like in life, this can feel aggravating. Same problems at work. Same issues with kids. Same health (mental and physical) struggles. Same relationship issues. Our wheels keep spinning to find a way out.

 The same can be true about our creative side. It's the same old, same old. I call this "Wool Block" as a nod to "Writer's Block" and the physical ailment of wool block that angora rabbits can get. At the beginning stages of wool block with rabbits, you change their feed. You change the routine. No more pellets. Just hay. And if you can get them to eat supplements of papaya and/or pineapple juice. You change the routine. Left unchecked wool block can cause death in rabbits. Likewise, remaining in an unhealthy brain place with your craft can cause skills to decline, lost-interest, and even craft abandonment.

 Overcoming wool block requires being intentional about your surroundings and routines. By changing up how and where we create, we can spark the flame of creativity once again. On a spiritual note, wool block isn’t just about creating, it’s about soul care. Often for creatives our soul and creativity are directly connected. I know when I’m not creating my soul isn’t doing well.  These are some ways I intentionally try to overcome wool block. 

Create badly

Often we get caught up in everything turning out exactly how we planned it. Let go of the reigns of control and create badly. Close your eyes and create. Mix colors that shouldn’t go together. Use those worn out tools that don’t work just right anymore. Go back to kid’s craft supplies. Are you generally slow and methodical? Try being quick and random. Do the opposite of what you would normally do. Try the pro-tip of invading your stash and using up all your junk drawer supplies. For perfection seeking artists, like myself, the very thought of creating badly hurts. But if the goal is to create badly, then you have achieved your goal. You've won.  

Learn something new

Learn a new technique within your realm of art or learn a new form of art all together. Can you add decoupage to your paintings? Have you ever tried mixing sand art and watercolor? Want to try Nålebinding? Slab pottery? Weaving? Typography sculpting? When we learn something new, we are treading a new path; taking a new adventure! Is a big adventure too much for you? Then try taking a side quest. Read an article about the French linen industry or visit a museum and evaluate art from the artist point of view. Read a book about your favorite artist. Restarting the learning process can result in a ‘tinder box of tools’ for reigniting your passions’ fire. 

Plan on it

Wool block can cause craft avoidance. Once we get out of the rhythm of making, it can be hard to get back in. Make an achievable plan. “Achievable” is the key word. What will reality allow you to do? My reality now, versus 2 years ago, is much different. Therefore, I can't allow previous reality to dictate current expectations and circumstances. It can be as simple as: I am going to physically feel 5 different types of yarn this week. I'm going to touch my brushes every time I walk into the room that holds it. I am going to draw for 15 minutes twice this week. Schedule 5 minute doodle blocks. The simple acknowledgment of your craft can be the first step to recovering your creativity. Acknowledging the gift that God has given you by simply touching your paint brushes with a quick prayer, shows the faith of a mustard seed that God will and is taking care of your needs. 

Change your physical place

I am ashamed to admit that recently I couldn't even see my spinning wheel past the lego creations, piles of books, and a cardboard box spaceships scattered around my living room. My spinning wheel needed a new place, a not-so-crazy-kid-place. Does your physical creative space feel inviting to you?  Place a scripture passage that God has given you in your creative space. Or maybe you can't even create at home, it's just too hectic. Take your supplies and head to a coffee shop, your backyard, a park, or bring them while you're waiting for an appointment. Yes, you can bring a small pack of clay to a coffee shop. Nobody will mind. Creating in public often inspires others; which in turn can encourage you as you build confidence in your craft. 

Get inspired

30 minutes of watching cute kittens videos doesn't inspire me to spin. It inspires me to eat more chocolate and snuggle deeper under the covers with my cat. Try a new way to get inspired. Use a picture to recreate a specific element. For instance: Can you create the spiky texture of a cactus? What does the garden look like in the hymn “In the Garden''?  If we could see our soul physically, what would it look like? What would the spiritual world look like in your home? During one wool block season for me, I encapsulated elements of the Easter season into yarn.  Previously, I didn’t know I could create yarn based off of scripture. Now a whole new world has been opened for me. 

Spend time with artist friends

This can be virtual or in person. Ask them to show you their most recent project or current favorite material. Ask them what they are thinking of doing next. Others love an eager listener. And most artists love an opportunity to talk with someone like-minded; someone who understands their language. There is a creative energy developed when we engage in synergy.

We all experience ups and downs in life. Your craft will look different in different seasons of your life. That is okay. Wool Block can be overcome if it's not ignored. Engage these difficult times by creatively embracing them.