I’ve been a fan of Lyric Kinard for years. Her work is amazing, and she is constantly supporting other artists through her newsletter, classes, and example. So when she offered a low cost online workshop to help artists clarify goals for the coming year, I signed up! (She was doing this abbreviated workshop at low cost to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.) Here are a few of my take-aways.
The first session of the workshop was on clarifying one’s goals as an artist, specifically for the coming year. After working through the exercises, I decided I need to play more. Somehow I’ve gotten into the habit of judging my day by how much I produce rather than how much I learned. I enjoy trying new things, so that doesn’t make sense.
Then the question is what to do with the quilts I make just for fun. I have some fun quilts that I like, but I’ve never submitted them anywhere. Here’s one, just because this post needs some photos!
Trees, 9.5″ x 9.5″, done just for fun
So I decided I need to submit to more shows. I set a goal of getting more rejections! Because that means I at least tried.
Lyric’s second session was about principles of design, and of course I realized I know this. But what do I do with it?
Then Lyric continued with an explanation of how to critique an art work in light of these principles. She used my quilt for critique in one session because I was the only person present who had submitted something (in response to her request). Here’s the piece I submitted.
Lyric explained that her version of critique describes how the principles of design are exemplified in a particular quilt (or other work of art). It specifically does not include giving an opinion about whether you like or dislike each element; it’s just a description.
So what did I learn from this critique? I noted the importance of each element of design in my quilt and learned that the solid line at the top stops the movement created by the green triangles.
Most revealing was Lyric’s request that anyone in the class say what they think of when they see the quilt, and people said things like “zoom!” That let me know that my quilt gets its message across.
Overall, Lyric’s workshop was helpful in getting me to commit to submitting my work more often. Her idea of critique and her example were very useful in helping me look at my work. Yes, I did take a basic design class years ago, but I haven’t been consciously using design principles to analyze my work.
Lyric has taught her version of art critique for years, but she now has a new book on the topic. I’m linking to her site, where you can find that and her other books. Looks like the critique book is electronic only at present, but I believe there’s to be a hard copy soon. Also, if you get a chance to take a class with Lyric, I recommend it!
And finally, I have already submitted something! The picture below is of a postcard I made for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show fundraiser, and submitted in response to their call for entries!
House Card, 4″ x 6″
Zippy Quilts 