foggy ears, itchy eyes, just plain muddled

Ok. I know I really like to show my work to others. I like the extra jolt it gives me when people comment on my work. Even if it is hesitant and/or negative feedback, I find the extra input inspires new work, new ideas and new energy.

BUT. When it comes to choosing what show to enter I am a little befuddled. muddled. blank. Especially this year as I do not have too many new pieces I can offer. The ones that I do have are strong and I would love to get them into one of these shows but can't figure out which to choose.

Quilt National, a traveling exhibition that begins in Athens OH and travels to a number of small venues across the nation, has the strongest reputation for the Art Quilt medium. Some pieces in the show travel from September 2013 - December 2015. They publish a very handsome book of the exhibit and have a well known group of jurors that are well respected. They do not have a robust web site and the public relations efforts for the show seem to be minimal. I have not received much feedback from them for the past two shows and that is a bit frustrating. If I enter the my strongest piece I would not be able to show it here in Memphis during a show I have scheduled for November.

FiberArts International, (April 19 -Aug 18 next year) a contemporary fiber arts show that originates in Pittsburgh, opens in April and closes in August. Not sure where it travels to since their website seems to be broken. I don't know much about this show but the fact that other types of fiber arts pieces are being shown is appealing to me. I may choose this show for the big piece I just finished. If I do then I would be able to show the piece here in Memphis during my show in November.

Quilt = Art=Quilts (October 28 - Jan 6 this year) at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn NY is always a wonderful show. They publish a catalog and the venue is perfect for quilts. I have been very happy with the way my work has been presented there. Trouble here is that the deadlines for it overlap the other two shows I am considering.

Other juried art shows? Do I continue to search out Fiber Art exhibit opportunities or not? Or, should I pursue other art shows that might get me into the mainstream of the art world? A scary proposition.

Still muddled.

caught my eye

I admit I have a habit. While walking, I scan for treasures. Always.

This little guy showed up yesterday on a walk across the library parking lot. Ancient plastic with great energy.

Shiny things, 2012

blocking and engineering a circle

The final stage on my Threats quilt, blocking. Dipping the monster into a cool water bath was a complete leap of faith on my part. It really needed it, the surface was gray with handling including a number of blood spots where needles added my DNA to the piece. I really didn't know what would happen to the stitching after the threads and fabric got wet together. I have had nasty surprises in the past so each time I do it I do it with a feeling of casting my fate to the wind. Most times I am pleased with the slightly more puckered results. 

The piece is done on an old linen tablecloth. The circular format challenged every bit of my design skills to figure out how it could hang. I wanted to maintain the original scalloped edge so I hand-finished the edges and added a separate structure to the back to hold it on the wall. This pic shows the assemblage on the back. Inside is a handmade hula hoop made to fit the outer circumference of the piece (it can be dissassembled to fit neatly into a shipping carton if necessary). I used a PEX 3/8" pipe from Lowes with brass fittings for the connections. The envelope that holds the hoop has a zipper for easy access to the hoop and is handstitched along the edge. Took me 4 tries at getting the hoop to work before I came to this solution at 4 am one morning this week. The studio is littered with corpses of former trials. I am longing to get back to creating - engineering is not my favorite sport.

pool trees

pool trees, @2012, Paula Kovarik

I love how the cover for our backyard kiddie pool folds over the edge. These shadows look like elven forests to me.

Studio habits

A fellow fiber artist, Lisa Call, posted this set of questions on her blog recently (click here for her take on these questions). She invited others to do the same. Here is an inside peek into my studio habits and how I create.

Is your studio at home or a separate space?

I have a building behind my home that is my studio. Previous owners of this property built a photography studio attached to the garage. It’s about 500 square feet with higher than normal ceiling. A glorious sense of space. There is ample storage and it overlooks our back gardens. My quilt studio also includes my business, Shades of Gray, a graphic design studio. You can see the desk in the back of this shot that is the business end of the studio.

 
Typically, how many hours a day do you work in the studio?

I work from 8-5, Monday through Thursday in the studio on business projects. Fridays-Sunday I work on artwork for 4-5 hours a day. If I am going strong I can work for 2-3 hours in the evenings during the weekdays. So, I guess, on a good week I put in 32 hours of business work and between 15-20 hours on my artwork. Someday I would like to switch that proportion.

 Do you listen to music while you work?

Sometimes I listen to music or podcasts. Mostly I work in silence. Sounds can clutter my mind. When I do listen to music I usually use itunes to give me a variety of selections by using the DJ function. My music selections vary from classical to jazz to rock and alternative. So when the DJ function starts I may listen to some Mozart followed by Florence and the Machine followed by John Coltrane. It's an eclectic journey.

 
Do you watch television while you work?

rarely. In the evenings I may tune into a favorite show for background. It depends on what I am working on.

 
Do you answer the telephone while you are in your studio?

Yes, I do. Business takes presidence for now.

 
How often do you take breaks?

lunch, an afternoon bike ride or walk, dinner.

 
Do you have any over-use issues with your hands or any other body parts?

Yes, my neck and wrists are sore a lot. Since I do a lot of detail free-motion stitching on my sewing machine. The tension can mount up. I have to force myself to stop and stretch. I also wear an elbow pad made of sheepskin (fur included) that saves the nerves in my elbows from shooting pain to my hands. It helps.

 
If so, how do you manage them or compensate?

Stretch, rest, baths, rest, stretch.Advil.

How about you? Where do you create and how?