When an artist travels and teaches an awful lot of studio time disappears. At some point it gets to you and you have to figure out how to make it work. I'm living and learning as I go an have decided that I need - no - NEED to get a whole new body of coherent work made this year. Enough that I can start making proposals for solo shows.
In the meantime - I've entered my first juried show in years. No expectations about getting in - it just feels good to have done it! I think 2003 was the last year that I really had my work out in circulation at various quilt and art venues. Then I took a "baby sabbatical," wrote a book, wrote a bunch of articles, and started teaching live and on-line and well. There you go. Poof. No more time for making art - aside from samples.
I took a few days off of my current writing project and finished up a piece that had been in process for - well, years.
Years and years ago I filmed a segment for Home and Garden TV's "Crafters Coast to Coast." Fun? Definitely. But later I decided I really didn't want to finish twelve of these books so I took the step-outs (you have to have multiples of each stage of the process) and sewed them all together.
I started the quilting then did a few other things (see list above.) Onto the shelf it went. I finished the quilting on my new HQ16 some time last year. Finally I got brave and just took out the Shiva Oil Sticks and went to town. So there ya go. Finished is a good feeling.
DANCE
40" x 48"
Well - finished enough for photography.
I still need to sew the facing down on the back.
Oh - and maybe add some beadwork too.
shhh. don't tell.
Fabulous! They are just silly if they don't take your piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Lisa!
ReplyDeleteThe jury process is always a complete gamble no matter how good the work is. It all depends on the pool of entries. Sometimes a show just leans in one direction or the other.
I never enter with expectations - but I do my best to make sure I have a good chance.
1 - the best photography I can manage
2 - making sure I research the show and enter appropriate work
3 - making the best work I can
I love it... I am waiting to hear back from a juried show and it is just about killing me! Do you get your photography done or do you do it yourself?
ReplyDeleteJackie
ps love to follow your blog and always wonder how you do it with 5 kids, i have 2 and find that busy... hope to meet you at a juried show someday.
Hi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteI do my own photography. There is a great tutorial here:
http://hollyknott.com/stq/index.htm
I only do one thing at a time - and then something else is not getting done. I don't watch TV. I make enough to pay for preschool and that one still naps sometimes too. I have a studio (who needs a formal sitting room?) so I can leave things out. The kids are used to fending for themselves on occasion. Oh - and my husband and older children are very competent and can manage without me at times.
But remember - it's been four YEARS since I've entered a show. Mostly because I haven't finished any work to enter.
A time and season for every thing eh?
Good morning, Lyric-
ReplyDeleteI remember the painted book cover piece on HGTV: I learned alot from the tut you posted on their site!
I love what you did with your step-outs.
I hope you will have a couple of studio classes as I am right up the road and would enjoy a smaller class. *hint*
As for your little ones, my Grandmom had eight kids and always said that, after there were 3 children, the "olders look after the youngers". (Boy, does my Dad have tales to tell about that!) Believe me, those years you didn't exhibit or teach are not lost; those little ones grow up soooo fast! Don't blink your eyes. . . of course, I suspect you already know that; every Mom does!
Suzanne G in NC
I love your dancers. Dance like no one is watching has always been a good motto. And think if you're not accepted into the show, the judges are blind. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's fantastic! Best wishes and I really don't see how they couldn't choose it. It's awesome!
ReplyDelete