Journal Entry #5 03/02/21
I am enjoying this way of making so much! Paper weaving reminds me of elementary school art classes and spending my summers in Detroit at my aunt's art camp. I find that this form of making is giving me less anxiety than if I was to design on the computer. I think it goes back to my original thought on focusing on outcomes that are never intended on being perfect. I find that I am enjoying the flexibility of paper weaving the most. How I can add or subtract whenever I need to. Nothing is final. I think during this period when we are still unsure of what it is that we want to communicate I think that is what attracts me to this process. Throughout learning more about this medium it interests me how dynamic these pieces can be by incorporating fabric and and other materials. I am curious to see how data can be introduced into this form and how I can explore scale form and texture (imagine these pieces 6ft long wow!). As I continue to learn more about freedom schools I will hopefully be able to take inspiration from curriculum. I am meeting with Cyrah Power soon and would love to hear her thoughts on her own design approach and how that can hopefully influence mine for the better!

Journal Entry #4 02/23/21
Excerpts from my personal journal about making: "The making process can be the most stressful, especially if you are unsure if it will be helpful to you in the long run. I think mostly for me it is an act of confrontation. Confronting anxiety and perfectionism. I think that is what slows me down. I want to continue making but how?"
"Questions that come up when making:
Am I doing this right?
Am I spending too much time on this?
Does this even make sense?
Did I misunderstand my research/ the assignment?
What if it doesn't look good?
Am I conveying what I am trying to?"
.... At this point I usually take a nap.
I want to continue to analyze these confrontation points as I continue to make. Figure out what it is that is causing these barriers. And how can I continue to produce within understanding these feelings. Right now, I am finding connecting to my self through talking and engaging with my family to be the most helpful. Currently, the making I am doing is personal, so surrounding myself with people who know me best has been the most inspiring. I think it is mostly about having a strong support system. Having a community of people to be around. I am interested in how my needs of a support system might shift as when I begin to make pieces that are not centered around my own experiences. The conversation of 'the self' and 'the community' is one that is interesting to me and I am curious to see how that develops over time.