Scratching, by Twyla Tharp

What is scratching and how does Twyla Tharp suggest that we do it?

Scratching is listening, watching, reading, and observing different things. Then it's using your observations and putting them into actions. It's about being spontaneous and unthoughtful. In the studio, it's not about thinking about the final product and whether or not the outcome will look good or be successful. Scratching means coming up with little ideas, transforming the ideas into art, looking at the art, and adjusting it or adding to it to make a bigger idea. Scratching means playing with materials but not necessarily knowing what you're going to do with them. There are no rules when it comes to scratching, however, Tharp suggests that you never look for ideas in the same place. She suggests that if you don't know where to begin, it sometimes help to freak out, take risks, make art with out thinking about what you're making. I can see myself using Tharp's suggestion of messing around with different materials, colors, and shapes. I also like her suggesting of starting out by just observing what's around you.