Well I have a new obsession that loves to take all my money and that is... glass tile coasters! I know homeware may be a weird thing to be obsessed about but hear me out.
I definitely have a thing for symmetry, something I struggled to do was hand paint anything as I would see all of the imperfections. Delving into abstract expressionism helped a lot as I was able to make myself go with the flow, instead of trying to force life into strict lines. I chose colours I felt like using in that moment, I brushed lines and swirls and some worked and some didn't and I didn't stop painting till I felt like it was right. I believe things happen when they are meant to and so I felt like I was finished with a painting when it felt right.
It's so freeing not having a specific end goal or even a reason for the painting, all the abstract art was not made for sales it was just made. I list them on the site so that they don't moulder in my cupboards and also because I hope the people who buy my art can feel the emotion I was feeling when they were made. Most of the time it is very serene, abstract art is almost like meditation to me.
Like how abstract art is a break from perfectionism, my glass tile coasters are a comfort in clean lines. Yes, I know, I was waxing lyrical about the greatness and freedom of abstract expressionism but to me expressionism and rigid, glass coasters go hand in hand. Both of these creations are meditative for me.
Where painting is fun, messy and spur of the moment, my coaster designs are precise and thought out. I sit with my tiles and arrange and rearrange them over and over until it's right and I am happy with the outcome. The process of gluing the tiles, mixing the grout, applying the grout, cleaning the tiles and then polishing the final result just seem to make me calm in the repetitive and creative motions. Doing things like this help me shut my mind off and give my undivided attention to what is in front of me.
It does, however, definitely stress me out when I look at my bank account after I have purchased my supplies! But it is worth it isn't it? We make money so we can afford life and with the money left over we use it to help us obtain the things that make us happy. Whether that is a trip, a day with friends, expensive shoes or supplies for homeware products!
No matter the obsession, I would love to hear what you as a reader do to make you happy which may not be such a friend to the wallet.
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