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Quilt Critique with Sandra Sider
A few weeks ago a most wonderful thing happened, Lisa Chipetine (active and an asset to SAQA, the Studio Art Quilt Association) invited me to be part of a quilt critique session with Sandra Sider. I had heard of these before, but had never even listened to one of the on-line critiques, let alone thought of participating. But when opportunity knocks on your door, it pays to answer! Lisa’s website is www.threadplay.com, and through the quilt critique page (click here) you can sign up to participate, be a silent observer, or access the archives. I wasn’t sure which quilt to offer… Lisa had seen both The Wall and Naiads at the SAQA site on my Professional Artists Member’s page.
This one is the wall…. about the size of a poster. Below is Naiads, which is 18 wide by 45 long (49 including the longest branch):
I also suggested Koi, because I wasn’t sure which to pick:
In an exchange of e-mails, Lisa suggested one of the first two, as there was more to them. I chose Naiads, because there is more in the way of technique and composition. I will say that I was quite happy with this piece, and wondered what she would say.
I was, fortunately, second on the list of the five quilts being reviewed–that gave me a chance to sit through one before my turn. You need to have a live phone line (as in, not tied up with dial-up) and internet while the one-hour critique session takes place. After you sign up, Lisa sends each participant an e-mail with a special code which allows them in to the restricted online page where you can view the quilts being discussed.
When the session begins, you also dial in to a special number and are conferenced in to a multi-way call with Sandra, Lisa, and the five other quilters, and perhaps a few others. Our session began with a work in progress… an unfinished top. Sandra begins by asking the quilter (who is identified as Quilter (or was it artist?) 1) what is his/her intent, goals, and a bit about the quilt. Sandra continues with good points, suggests changes, and other participants may also offer comments.
For Naiads, Sandra was very kind, commenting that I had managed to capture the feel of moving water, which is hard to do in textiles. A photo of Naiads appeared on the left of the screen. Then a slightly photoshopped version showed Sandra’s suggestions. A moving cursor identified specific areas under discussion so that other participants (silent and otherwise) can easily see the area being discussed.
Sandra’s first comment was that the seated Naiad’s leg was too long, so she moved blue over the bottom of it. In fact, tho I will check to make sure, I am pretty certain the proportions are accurate, but because she was viewing on a screen, she couldn’t see that it is also her foot..in the picture the heel is hidden under some sheer fabric, but that may be something I need to modify or accentuate so that it reads better.
Sandra’s other two comments were fantastic…so much so that I wished I could dash upstairs and make the changes NOW! Instead, Christmas will have to happen first, an article get written, THEN fix before sending in an entry to Paducah. Anyway, Sandra suggested shortening the branches on the right side, where the river flows into the quilt. By lifting these branches out of the way, you get even more of a sense of moving water….way cool! (and an easy fix too!)
The final suggestion was to somehow cover up the lower portion of the swimming naiad’s body. In the photo, the shape appeared distorted, but I explained that the problem is actually a technical one: I didn’t quilt the water (sheer fabric) over her body (when you quilt part of a body and not the rest weird stuff happens and it looks worse), so the sheer kinda bubbles. It is the one technical issue for this quilt which I really don’t like.
Sandra used the cloning tool (or something like that) and covered her left hand and the body from about the waist down with blue…. as a result, the focal point shifts up to the other two naiads, the swimming naiad’s right hand points up and leads the eye to the one walking into the background… it just totally works! I don’t know that I will completely cover the lower half… when one is swimming in the river, you can see parts of the body underwater; however, I think if I cover parts of her with cotton and more with a dark blue/green sheer, I can keep the realism and still get the effect in Sandra’s suggestion. I promise I’ll share pics!
The next three quilts, including some that were finished, was at least as educational as the critique of my quilt. Because I was looking at new (to me) work, with fresh eyes, I could see where Sandra was going. It was fun to participate in the conversation, too.
Would I do this again? ABSOLUTELY! I don’t know that I can afford to sign up for the regular monthly access (which is a bargain if you listen in or go to the archives for all the sessions), but I will definitely be back as both a silent participant and, when I need it, in the critique session. Lisa and Sandra are taking a short break, but the sessions resume January 26th. I’ve got it marked on my calendar…and hopefully by then my changes will be made and my quilt will be better.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 am
I also participated in one of these critiques earlier in the month, and thought it was quite beneficial. As one of the artists, I was able to talk about my work, and comment on the other 4 pieces. I liked the fact that Sandra Sider did her homework and knew of my work, and that the particular piece that was up for critique, was part of a series.