This really should be my Fourth series, but I got overexcited right at the start…  And progress is halting and then manic, but it is progress nonetheless.  Even from the first one till the couple I’m working on currently, I can feel the shapes and textures and fluidity of form coming more naturally.  This. This. This.  I would do this forever if I didn’t have other things to do and push, too.

I did get paralyzed on language for a while.  Trying to find the right words was just getting stupid, everything was ridiculous and dissatisfying.  Like I started to feel like my brain didn’t work anymore, and that nothing was ever going to work, ever again.  But that is not the case, and instead of waxing verbose and ponderous, I’m learning to cut right down to the chase with the text.  Which is pretty much the point.  An image and some words to tell the story, both feeding each other, ideally.

It’s interesting watching the psychological part of this.  I’m digging up a bunch of tender and raw and funny stuff from growing up, and it’s weird how totally exhilarating and distressingly vulnerable that is.  It leaves me feeling both very calm and a little bit scorched by the end of the day.  But that’s also the point.  I don’t want to do it if isn’t getting at the crux of something.

I learned a really good word today, too:   cathexis.  “In psychoanalysis, cathexis is defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea.” (Wikipedia)

(I know, I know, it’s not a real source.)  But it is a real word, and I love that it’s an actual thing.  I’m sure, being psychoanalysis, there are good and bad aspects, but for now, until I learn more, I am happy with the simple definition.

And this happened, but I’m happier with the second rendition now:

Karma Cat thought it was amazing and wanted all the bits to be her very own.

I am happier with the line quality, depth of carving and general boldness of this rendition.  There is still text to add and some refinement of the shapes, but this is where it’s at until things firm up a little bit.

These are other pieces in process currently:

This one is going to make me laugh every time I look at it.  Waiting for it to firm so I can put the text on and refine shapes.  Childhood playground games were mystifying to me.

And this one is going to be tricky with all the shapes of people, but I hope it’ll portray the moment well.  Stories will be revealed forthwith as I get text added.

And then there is KitKat, my tiny kitten.  This was a hard one.  The text was difficult and the shapes didn’t behave at first.  Which was an effect of wrestling the text.  But I’m happy with where it’s going now, except for that awkward bow at the bottom edge of the tile.  Trimming is in order.