0 for 2 …..
Sometimes you don’t get in. In this case, I entered two quilts in the special exhibit “In the American Tradition” for Houston, but neither was accepted. The e-mail said they had over 100 quilts to consider…26 were accepted. That means 1 in 4 got in. I know that I am not an expert traditional quilter, but I had hoped my log cabin would get in, not because of the piecing, but because of the quilting. And this time, my photos were MUCH better, and you could actually see the quilting. Sigh.
Here are the two quilts:
From Sea to Shining Sea (51×51 inches, machine quilted) and detail:
Oceans Alive (93×93 inches, hand quilted) and detail; pattern by Mary K. Ryan, original quilting design by me:
So I’m kinda bummed. I’m at least getting into the second tier shows, but can’t figure out why I’m not getting into the top tier. Is log cabin just to boring, no matter how good the quilting? I was thinking that if this were a wholecloth, it might have gotten in, but maybe because it was an old fashioned (well, not really but you know what I mean) log cabin, this didn’t get in.
Anyway, with my misgivings about the nativity quilt, and these “declines”, I’m wondering if my work is any good at all…. and wondering what it takes, and why I don’t seem to have it….. getting juried into a show (and not throwing away the entry fee money) would be nice about now….
Oh well. Back to quilting the nativity quilt. Since Tableau is an odd word for most folks, and they won’t know the link to Fra Angelico, I think I’ll title the quilt after one of my favorite Christmas stories, They Followed a Bright Star by Joan Alavedra and Ulises Wensell. The illustrations are lyrical, and it tells the story of the first Christmas simply and beautifully.
I’ll get over it. But I still wonder…..
June 3rd, 2006 at 4:06 am
didn’t you just put me in my place about MY misgivings not less than 48 hours ago? Is self doubt catchy? Consider being put in your place…your work is GORGEOUS…think red quilt no one can see yet. Thnk about your waterfall thingy with the mossy rocks and twisting stem with all the beautiful leaves attached. So there. But this is a great topic to hash over soon…
June 3rd, 2006 at 9:05 am
I agree! Close the door on self-doubt. Focus on the art. It’s wonderful.
June 4th, 2006 at 9:15 am
Don’t give up. Remember the judging for entry into quilt show is subjective and who knows what is on the mind of the people who get to decide. Hold your head hight and know you make wonderful quilts.
June 4th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Don’t give up!! I love your work it is gorgeous! Your blog is one that I keep coming back to because I love your work. I’m looking forward to seeing your finished nativity.
June 4th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Dot…tried to write to you off-line, but got bounced by the dreaded “no-reply-comment” stuff…
Thanks Dot! I won’t give up, and I know it’s subjective, but I do wonder why some folks get in consistently and others, whose work is just as good, don’t…. anyway, I’ll keep plugging away!
Thanks for surfing in and for writing, and for your support!
And thanks to all the rest for your support. I won’t give up, but I’d sure like to have a clue about what gives and how the jurying process really works….. Cheers, Sarah
June 5th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
This may sound weird given the name of the exhibit, but I wonder if both quilts were just a little too traditional. I got into that show a couple of years ago (haven’t tried since because I haven’t had anything I thought was suitable) and the ones they took were based on traditional blocks but were definitely what I call “tradtion with a twist.” Just a thought. But I also agree with what others have said. I’ve had quilts get rejected from some shows and get into (and even win prizes) in other shows that were just as good. There’s no telling what a given jury or set of judges will think!
June 5th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
I just love Oceans Alive. It is striking and beautifully done. Who knows why. Just don’t look back and move on!!
June 10th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
I’m sure it also depends on what other people are submitting. If they already accepted a log cabin, and then they see yours, maybe they want to put something different in. Or maybe the judge has a bad experience when she made her own log cabin, etc. Don’t be disheartened. Just because it doesn’t make it into a show doesn’t mean it isn’t a good quilt. Both of yours are beautiful.