Modular thinking and soup

The current jigsaw puzzle is one that suits me, because as you see, it's modular

It's a grid of labeled botanical illustrations of butterflies. The subject matter doesn't hurt, either. But modular, creating larger works from small pieces, is definitely my style. The bird by bird approach.

I've made large handmade paper pieces for exhibit using a mold and deckle about 8x10 or less, visualizing as I worked the eventual relationships of the parts into a whole. 

I was encouraged years ago by an account of a Japanese paper maker working in a tiny home studio, her kitchen, because of all the water needed,  producing massive installations for exhibit. 

And even longer ago, when faxing first became a thing, David Hockney sent a huge artwork in faxed pieces to be assembled when received at the gallery, with his instructions about which bit went where. 

I think this is the appeal of piecing in textiles and paper collage, too,  giving small components bigger meaning in a context. 

I did a workshop for middle school students a while back, my agenda being for them to feel their part, and that each of them,  was accepted and belonged in the group project. Middle schoolers rarely feel confident with art, beginning the self doubts and confusion of teen years, so they were a bit sceptical and worried about self exposure. But I wanted them to experience the pleasure of expressing themselves anyway, in a safe way.

Everyone, about 45 kids, yes, I had a teacher and a parent assisting,  got an 8x11 piece of black construction paper, a big stack of collage bits I'd collected,  glue sticks, and pens. They were to create a piece about themselves, favorite color, shapes, draw on it, write important numbers -- a lot of birthday numbers got in here. 

Once finished, we assembled the pieces on the wall, like a paper quilt, huge,  and the kids were amazed to find their piece was hard to find in the finished artwork.  They liked how they seemed to be an important part, at the same time, though. The black exposed edges of the sections locked the design together, and gave contrast to the collages, punching up their effect. Sneaky teacher planning for success. Modular power!

And there's soup. This week it's the rest of the leeks and potatoes, home made stock, and flavored with a big spoonful of plain yogurt, Old Bay seasoning, za'atar and something mysterious from the freezer labeled "Spicy for soup" I added in a can of chickpeas after the blending was done.
 

Seen here with hot biscuit and Thai basil. I do like having soup in the freezer for when I can't think what to have.

Art today from a favorite sculptor, Barbara Hepworth whose curves and air and wire thread lines are unmistakable, and full of suggested ideas and images.

Happy day, everyone, bird by bird does it! What do you like doing in pieces that then come together in a different,  significant whole? Many possible answers here.

Added ed. note: we're talking about modules, not components here. A component is not a module. Got more technical than I realized, so I came back to clarify.