I've been grateful for the overcast Bank Holiday weather as I've been motoring away on my sewing machine , quilting my door quilt. This was after taking over yet another room in the house for art activities, pinning the quilt on the extended dining room table.
I've completed all the door area using 4mm twin needle with different threads, it's amazing how much texture it adds.
I'd already worked out what I was doing in this area by preparing a 12 inch square sample where I'd tried different needle widths and ways of attaching the door handles and organza ' nails'.Before I started quilting the arch and brickwork, I realised I needed to make a sample for that too!
Working on Journal Quilts (particularly the 12 inch square format) got me into making my samples up into properly bound mini-quilts. I find this years CQ format of 10 x 7 are a bit small for this purpose although I've enjoyed using scraps up! All useful for the 'story boards' I use for works in progress.
The other advantage of 12 inch square 'sample' mini-quilts is that they look great mounted on canvases , particularly in related groups .I have a bit of a dilemma in relation to this - I have the opportunity to potentially exhibit some of these for sale in a new gallery. However I don't really have the time to mount more work and organize the paperwork as I'm entering a manic period at work ( 12 day stretch of back -to- back training and giving paper at conference) besides looming deadline for door quilt. Not forgetting 2 day lamination course at Art Van Go!
I'd be sorry to pass on this opportunity but would it distract too much from what I really want to do - make large pieces? I think I already know the answer but would appreciate your thoughts.
Yes,imho, I think it would distract. You're doing some fantastic stuff and I love your door!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to be asked to do stuff for a gallery, and I had a similar dilemma last year as you know. I agonized for some time as I saw it as a step forward, a way of marking myself out as a more of a professional. However, the gallery wanted a 40% mark up which I understand is quite normal. This meant that I had to increase the price of my stuff or drop my profit...or even make none at all!They also had the stuff on sale or return, and could keep it for up to 6 months.
I decided that I wasn't it in to do mass production, or to keep a gallery in free stock. I also felt that if I felt pressure to sell then I would end up making things that I thought others might like rather than what I wanted to do.
So, after about 3 months (Slow thinker!) I decided to stay as I am. I don't regret the decision at all....and it was nice to be asked!
I don't know what you'll decide; we're all different, but since you asked, I thought it might help.
Good luck with whatever you decide. And big cheer that your work is as well thought of by a gallery, as we already know it is.
i'd go for it.
ReplyDeleteyou already have the material. not that you have to create new artwork for the gallery.
i's amazing how much one can do with a tight schedule.not that it would become a habit:), but once in a blue moon doesn't hurt.
best of luck whatever you decide.
I really love what you are doing with the twin needle.
ReplyDeleteRegarding exhibitin in commercial spaces - I find that it does push me to look at what I've already done and what is nearly done. You don't say exactly, but if they want to have an exhibition of your work - then do it because it will push your creativity to make a small selected group work together as one.
If they just want to have your work included with a mix of other artists, then do it because you already have the work.
If this particular gallery is one that you would like to be represented by - the quality is high and stimulating, then do it. If the other work there is uneven, then don't.
Your academic work sounds demanding, your life is very full.
I loved reading through old posts and seeing all the painting you've been doing. It is wonderful.
Seems to me you have to make some hard choices - I understand about wanting to make large pieces, I do too. They take about six years to complete because, like you, I am distracted. But it's a good distracted.
I'll be back to see what you decide.
Yesterday, I was working hard trying to make lots of small pieces to sell at the next exhibition. I thought of you and your posting, because it would have been so much easier if I had had some left over samples etc., that I could have framed or made up in some way.
ReplyDeleteIt's just an extra thought really, that you might be grateful one day - say your next exhibition etc - that you haven't let your small pieces go. Especially as you get to keep all the money they sell for as there's no commission!!