Week in Review 2021 – 11/12

COS Wrap Up

Would I do it again? That’s a question that applies to so many first time experiences isn’t it? Today the question is answered with a resounding yes. The “it” in question is Cohasset Open Studios. The why I it bares repeating needs some reflection.

Overblown cumulus clouds set against a vibrant blue sky
The image that started Celestial Celebrations

What I learned

I would do it again because the feed back from the people who generously took time to come to my home and studio gives me the perspective of how others see my work. Overall, what drew viewers into my work and what they were most curious about was the quilting. It is extremely difficult to capture both the motif and bas relief of a quilt in a photograph. There is nothing like seeing the work in person versus in print or on the web.

A black and white drawing of how Celestial Celebrations will be pieced
The piecing plan or blue print for Celestial Celebrations

It is extremely rare for me to see my work curated as a solo exhibit. I would do it again, because I found it reassuring just how strong my artistic voice is. I tend to see my work as leap frogging from one experiment to another. This is true, but the fact that I return to topics, palettes and techniques and tweak them, produces a cohesive voice.

Where I need Improvement

Image of clouds superimposed with a grid, the squares identified by 1 - 13 across the top and A - K along the left side.
Grid used to identify sections of the image and keep track of what has been pieced.

I believe it is important to be able to speak about my art in a way that demystifies what I do without boring others. Visitors give me the opportunity to talk about my art. It isn’t a one sided monologue. I still need to improve my ability to get closer to a conversation than a monologue. However, if I do it again, I know this about myself and can worker harder on this aspect of hosting an open studio.

Next Year’s New Piece?

Celestial Celebrations only has more row to go before the top is pieced.

My design wall was set up with my current work in progress, Celestial Celebration. Pinned next to the nearly completed top was the image the work is based on and the piecing blue print. I had the fabrics I pulled from my stash lined up by hue and value. This generated as many comments and questions as the actual work. Viewers “got” my process.

I am linking up with Nina Marie’s Off the Wall Fridays.

By Gwyned Trefethen

I am an artist who uses fabric, thread and miscellany to create designs gifted to me by my imagination.

2 comments

  1. you could ask them questions about your art… think about it… things like, what do you notice first? Does this create a mood ? what do you think of my choice of color? Have you worked with fabric? millions of questions that should start a dialogue/collaborative conversation… your idea and choices are just stunning. I love that you want to connect with others and strive to do it in the best way

Comments are closed.