Why, not how

One of the things I learned from Cas Holmes last week was, when describing my work, I should talk about the "why" not the "how".   I rarely do this, as I don't even discuss this with myself. I have a vision for a piece of work, and I don't even ask myself why it is important to me or where the idea came from.  I have never written an artist statement since I never think hard about my "vision", my ideas, and why I want to create a certain piece of art.  I don't have a specific theme that runs through my work, except when I specifically create a series about a subject.  Without telling myself to create a series, I would be all over the map with technique, materials, and subject matter.

I have been blogging a while now, and realize I almost never mention my motivation or insight into the "why" of my pieces.  I will still be blogging on techniques I use for fabric dyeing, painting, surface design, etc. But when I post a completed work, I plan on concentrating on the "why".  Because not only will this give viewers a better understanding of me and my work, it will give me a better understanding as well. And maybe soon I can get that artist statement written.