But I am not that kind of artist. I have improved technique over time and I do have some idea of how a piece should fit together, what materials I'll need to include, what kind of handwork will be required to hold bits in place. I usually have a contingency plan--what I can do if it doesn't work out the way I hope. This is all well and good when I'm working on something all my own. I can take my own chances and my own consequences. It's different when working with other artists; I feel responsible for the integrity of their work. I do not want to screw it up. Well, in truth, if it's going to be screwed up, I don't want to be the one who does it.
Right now I'm involved in a collaboration. We've collaborated before and we trust each other, but the earlier projects had each person expressing a vision which came together either side-by-side or sequentially (like a round robin). This one is harder. Two people have completed their work and I'm responsible for making the whole concept coalesce. I want to do that without messing up the truly lovely work they have left in my hands. I have been preparing for this for several weeks and today was the day to take irrevocable action (cannot put it off any longer!)
I have measured and marked. I have reinforced and pressed. I have--for about the 20th time--set the elements in place to be sure they fit. I have stepped back and taken a breather. And then I made the cut. Tomorrow is stitching time. And maybe some paint. I think it's going to work.