Tips, Thoughts and Techniques:
Last week, after announcing that my Sunset Over Little Lake Butte des Morts had been accepted into Trout Museum of Art's Biennial Member exhibition QuiltedFabricArt asked if I had ever attended an artist reception. She confused that as an introvert the thought made her uncomfortable. The quick answer is that yes, I have attended my share of artist receptions over the years. I recall being very nervous the first time I attended one. However, the more I go the more comfortable I become.
Here, with a little editing is how I responded to QuiltedFabricArt:
Yes I have been to artist receptions, mostly when I have a piece in the exhibit, but I will also attend local receptions that I am not in particularly if I know an artist who is exhibiting. Since my work is shown nationally and occasionally internationally, my work attends far more receptions than I do. :) I probably go to 6 or so year. This week I attended two different artist receptions. I believe that is a personal record.
I consider myself an introvert who under the right circumstances can put myself out there. I find it relatively easy to field questions, educate and talk about my work. This is what I do at artist receptions, plus asking other attendees about their work or other logical topics based on our conservation.
There are several positives to attending artist receptions. The obvious is that it is way to get to ease drop on how other people perceive your work. You have the opportunity to speak to others about your work and theirs. It is a great place to both network and catch up with peers.
Don't skip artist receptions because you are uncomfortable. If you are completely intimidated you can just view the exhibition. Why not practice by attending artist receptions where you have nothing in the exhibition? Perhaps you could bring a friend or family member along for support. There is no point in having a reception if no one shows.
The reception in Eau Claire, WI required an overnight stay and several hundred miles of driving. (A big thank you to my husband who accompanied me and did the driving!) I even managed to spend some time in the studio this week, I just don't have the pictures to prove it. You will have to take my word that this is what I did:
1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)
Last week, after announcing that my Sunset Over Little Lake Butte des Morts had been accepted into Trout Museum of Art's Biennial Member exhibition QuiltedFabricArt asked if I had ever attended an artist reception. She confused that as an introvert the thought made her uncomfortable. The quick answer is that yes, I have attended my share of artist receptions over the years. I recall being very nervous the first time I attended one. However, the more I go the more comfortable I become.
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| Gwyned Trefethen on right, speaking with a couple who came to the Got Jazz artist reception at the Janet Carson Gallery in Eau Claire, WI. In the background is Gwyned's Tickling the Ivories. To the right of Gwyned's piece is a triptych by Linda Witt Henke. |
Here, with a little editing is how I responded to QuiltedFabricArt:
Yes I have been to artist receptions, mostly when I have a piece in the exhibit, but I will also attend local receptions that I am not in particularly if I know an artist who is exhibiting. Since my work is shown nationally and occasionally internationally, my work attends far more receptions than I do. :) I probably go to 6 or so year. This week I attended two different artist receptions. I believe that is a personal record.
I consider myself an introvert who under the right circumstances can put myself out there. I find it relatively easy to field questions, educate and talk about my work. This is what I do at artist receptions, plus asking other attendees about their work or other logical topics based on our conservation.
 |
| Gwyned speak with Jane, whose fiber bookmarks are sold at the Janet Carson Gallery. Jane is standing in front of a piece by Casey Puetz. Gwyned is front of a piece by Pat Kroth. The piece behind Gwyned is by Linda Witt Henke. Got Jazz is a Fiber Artists Coalition exhibition. |
Don't skip artist receptions because you are uncomfortable. If you are completely intimidated you can just view the exhibition. Why not practice by attending artist receptions where you have nothing in the exhibition? Perhaps you could bring a friend or family member along for support. There is no point in having a reception if no one shows.
The reception in Eau Claire, WI required an overnight stay and several hundred miles of driving. (A big thank you to my husband who accompanied me and did the driving!) I even managed to spend some time in the studio this week, I just don't have the pictures to prove it. You will have to take my word that this is what I did:
1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)
a) Prepare the photos for entry: Done!
b) Finishing adding the split sleeve: Done!
c) Add the label: Not yet.
a) Finish piecing: Done!
b) Sandwich quilt: 75% Done.
c) Start the quilting: Not yet.
3) Free motion quilting practice. - Done!
4) Post number of days I worked in the studio in 2015 - 9/126
4) Post number of days I worked in the studio in 2015 - 9/126
5) Perform a random act of kindness - Done!
There are no artist receptions scheduled for next week. This means more time in the studio. Yeah!! I could use a nudge to start quilting Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci. This is a tough one to select free motion motifs for. I have some ideas, hopefully I will be able to share them with you next week and along with the rest of my studio to do list:
There are no artist receptions scheduled for next week. This means more time in the studio. Yeah!! I could use a nudge to start quilting Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci. This is a tough one to select free motion motifs for. I have some ideas, hopefully I will be able to share them with you next week and along with the rest of my studio to do list:
1) Night Vision - (Due January 31, 2015)
a) Add the label
b) Sandwich quilt
c) Start the quilting
3) Free motion quilting practice.
4) Post the number of days I worked in my studio
4) Post the number of days I worked in my studio
5) Perform a random act of kindness
I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.
Your "Tickling the Ivories" piece looks great on the wall. Wow! I am impressed. I will have to consider attending some local art receptions. You are right, I probably would enjoy the people!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will come up with wonderful designs for Mondrian Tackles Fibonacci! I have been looking at ruler work on a domestic machine this week. Patsy Thompson did a video that showed a Janome ruler foot attaching to a Pfaff machine. Another way to create great texture! I like Patsy's hyperquilting also. So many ideas! Now to decide if I want to invest in the foot...
Love seeing the reception photos, Gwyned -- your work amidst that of other artists, all so beautifully exhibited! Bravo! Looking forward to seeing what you do with "Mondrian..."
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