Lisa Call

Well – almost. It’s warming up and I’m getting excited about dyeing more fabric (it needs to be at least 70 to dye fabric, so very very soon).

My trip to Houston this past weekend (details coming soon) inspired many new ideas, big big art needing lots of new fabric.

I wrote some blog posts a few years back on how I dye fabric. You can find all the articles here:

– How to dye 60-100 yards of fabric in a few hours – An Overview of my process
– The Fabric I Use
– The Dyes and the Process
– Rinsing Out the Final Product

I was also on the DIY television show Uncommon Threads, demoing my dye process. Unfortunately copyright keeps me from posting those on youtube as it was most entertaining.

The fabric I use is tight woven 100% cotton pimatex from Kaufman. It’s excellent. I love how it dyes and I love the tight weave in my work as I know I’m using the best quality I can.

For other dyers out there, I sell this PFD (prepared for dye) fabric via my website – you can see details here: PFD fabric for sale.

I’ll be placing an order for new dyes next week so I’m ready for our first 70 degree weekend. Are you ready for the warm weather?

To Houston!

As I mentioned in my studio newsletter a few months ago, I’m rewarding myself for the hard work I put into Dwelling: An exhibit of textile paintings by Lisa Call, by taking a vacation to see some art.

I’m headed to Houston for the weekend to see art, most specifically the Rothko Chapel but I’ll be viewing a lot of other art also. And getting a massage and indulging in room service. It’s going to be a fabulous break from life.

To that end I’m not bringing technology with me, no cell phone, no lap top, no nothing. No interruptions – my intention is to devote this time to relaxing and exhaling.

(okay – I admit – I’m bringing a DVD of Bones as its a rare treat to have a TV about – I intend to spend more time reading than watching but a bit of brainless relaxation is also nice).

Letting go any residual stress from the show preparation because when I get back on monday it’ll be time to ramp up on the next project and get moving.

I’ll also post the photos from my opening.

Happy weekend everyone!

Small Art

There are currently only 3 small textile paintings remaining with the house theme – they are listed on my artist card page.

A while back I wrote some articles about how to display these small works of art – you can see them here and here. And check out this cool idea also.

Five New Artist Cards (ACEOS)

I had some grand ideas about creating 100 aceos (artist trading cards – small 2.5″x3.5″ works of art – mine are basically miniature quilts) to compliment Dwelling: an exhibit of textile paintings by Lisa Call, now on display in Boulder, Colorado through March 17.

Then reality hit and that just isn’t going to happen. I made a few and they sold out right away via my newsletter so I’m definitely making more, just not sure how many, a handful I suspect. While I love making these miniature works of art to share I am itching to get back to some BIG art soon.

Here are the 5 newest aceos, sold at a discount through the running of my exhibit.
 

Home #47 (informed by Home #17)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Sold

Home #46 (informed by Home #22)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Sold

Home #44 (informed by Home #12)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Sold

Home #42 (informed by Home #11)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
$40 $34 + shipping (through 3/17/2010)
Purchase Here

Home #38 (informed by Home #11)
©2010 Lisa Call
3.5" x 2.5"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
$40 $34 + shipping (through 3/17/2010)
Purchase Here

Dwelling Opening Reception – The Quick Review

It was sunday. It was fun. I had a blast giving my artist talk. I’ll post photos soon.

I have much gratitude for my friends and supporters that came to the event. Thank you thank you!

Dream #39
©2010 Lisa Call
34" x 34"
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Purchase here

Please Join Me

Dwelling: An exhibit of textile paintings by Lisa Call
Macky Auditorium Gallery
University of Colorado at Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
February 17 – March 17, 2010
The gallery is free and open to the public on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and to ticketed patrons during performances.

Opening Reception
Sunday, February 28, 2010
1:30-4:00pm
Artist Talk at 2:00pm

Directions
Parking Information

The Artwork

I’ve created a website with images from all of the artwork from the exhibit. See them here: Dwelling.

All of the artwork is for sale and can be purchased directly from that website. If you’d like, all artwork can also be purchased over 2 or more installments, please contact me to reserve your favorite textile painting now and make a deposit.

The ACEOs

I’m creating a limited series of ACEOs to compliment the larger artwork in the exhibit. The first 3 of these, all of which sold, were unveiled in my studio newsletter sent out on thursday evening.

Check my brand new artist trading card (aka ACEOs) webpage often for updates with additional Home themed aceos, my most affordable artwork. I’ll also update my blog when new cards are available.

All house themed artist cards will be discounted 15%, for a price of $34, during the run of Dwelling, which closes on March 17.

New Artwork

In mid 2008 I was invited by Nancy Crow to participate in an invitational traveling exhibit in Europe starting in 2010.

All participants were required to make new artwork for the exhibit and while the timing was less than ideal I, of course, said yes.

[As long time readers will recall, I was just starting a huge home remodeling project to turn my fixer up into a dream home/studio and had minimal studio space at this time.]

The deadline for the new artwork was in early 2009 so the curators could select the artwork for the show. In addition all of the artwork had to be HUGE, minimum of 6 feet square. We were to submit 5 pieces.

So in the middle of living through major construction, with my studio and bedroom crammed into a 10×12″ space I created 5 new textile paintings in the winter of 2009. Not the most ideal space to create 6-7′ square quilts, but I managed somehow.

Two of these textile paintings were selected for the exhibit and we are now in the final preparation for the opening exhibit it Germany. Much paperwork and questions to answer. The artwork was shipped yesterday. And if possible I will find a way to make it to Germany for the opening. Currently airline tickets are running big $ but I suspect something will work out and I will be able to attend.

Exhibit Details

Color Improvisations
July 11-August 25, 2010
Haus der Wirtschaft, Stuttgart, Germany
Grand opening: July 11, 2010 | 2 pm

This exhibition, curated by Nancy Crow, and organized by both Ginie Curzte and Nancy Crow, includes artists who are committed machine piecers, who have studied consistently with Nancy over the past 15 years, and who have developed very individual voices; the exhibition will showcase approximately 50 very large works that are masterful in color usage, composition and are technically, beautifully machine-quilted. The exhibition will travel throughout 2010-2012.

A gorgeous catalogue of all works will be available after July 12, 2010.

Additional venues in Europe to be announced.

Postponed

As hopefully everyone that was planning on attending the show knows, my opening reception has been postponed until next week.

The reception is now Sunday February 28, 2010 from 1-4pm with my artist talk at 2pm.

Working with No Deadline

As a result of the postponement I’m having a relaxing day working in my office and studio without feeling any pressure of a deadline. It’s really quite nice.

And I’m getting a lot done, tidying up loose ends from the show, getting things scheduled for the future, dealing with things I’ve put off for much to long, etc.

I definitely prefer working this way – without a deadline. Without the pressure of having to get things done. And usually I’m good at working this way. I don’t procrastinate too much.

I think I procrastinate less. I set aside my work time and I just work with no temptation to sneak off and read blogs or watch Bones on hulu. When I’m under pressure I find I’m much more likely to do such things.

Maybe an act of self-sabotage? Since I’m already under pressure why not make it worse? It’s a game of sorts – to see just how close to the wire I can push things.

Basically it’s silly. But it is a recurring habit that I recognize that I have.

So I’m very happy to be deadline free at the moment as I really don’t enjoy that kind of stress.

Photos

Two of the items I’m dealing with today required photographs of me. I’m generally not fond of such things so I avoid these types of requests.

Fortunately last year my coach forced us all to get professional photos taken. I got mine back from the photographer in april 2009 and stashed the CD in a drawer and ignored it.

Today I pulled it out and was happy to note that they were actually much better than I remember. Big relief. I’m even putting it here on my blog, a rare thing to put a photo of myself anywhere, as long as I have it out and dusted off.

Next Up

Now that my deadline has passed what’s next for me?

On the blog front I am planning on writing the articles I missed on preparing for an exhibit as I have much more to say on the topic.

In the studio I’m going to be quilting some large pieces to enter into Quilt National and also making some smaller companion pieces to go with the work in my Dwellings exhibit.

On the art business front it’s time to get busy on constructing the foundations of the business. Getting all my paperwork up to date and clarifying the systems that keep my business running smoothly.

I also plan on focusing on makebigart. I’ll be giving a talk in April in Denver titled “Time Management: The artist and the internet” as a start on that project. (more details to come)

I have to say I’m feeling much excitement for 2010 – it’s going to be a fabulous year!

Postponed!

Due to the expected snow tonight and tomorrow my solo exhibit opening for Dwelling has been postponed to Sunday, February 28 from 1-4pm, with my artist talk at 2pm.

Apologize to all for any inconvenience.

Gives me an additional week to prepare my talk. And eat the cookies I bought for the show.

 
Yesterday I delivered the artwork for my solo exhibit Dwelling.

Twenty eight new textile paintings created in the last 7 weeks. I had a vision for this show and it was amazing to see it appear before my eyes as the art was hung on the walls.

Please join me at the Opening Reception for Dwelling on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 1-4pm at Macky Gallery, Boulder, Colorado.

Directions
Parking Information

I have 1 week until I deliver the artwork for my solo exhibit. I have much much work to do in those 7 days. Fortunately 5 of those days are vacation or weekend days with no work. Starting tomorrow.

My plan was to come home from work today and jump right into my studio. But then I had a pretty crappy day.

One of the more notable events was discovering that I just mailed out 400+ postcards with a typo on them for the date of my solo show opening reception.

Big oops. I’ve now put a big banner on my website and blog to try to alert folks of the correct day – it is really SUNDAY, February 21. NOT saturday. I hope those wanting to attend figure it out and arrive on the correct day.

I also got a rejection from a show I entered and had some less than positive interactions with those I am close to and a bunch of minor stuff that usually doesn’t bother me but I’m clearly a bit touchy today.

So the result is I’m not working in my studio as I desire. I’ve now wasted 3 hours online doing absolutely nothing of value, expect feel a bit of panic over the incredible amount of work facing me in my studio. Although panic is not valuable so scratch that.

I don’t often post about the struggles of being an artist. And I suppose I don’t face as many demons in the studio as I could, and for that I am thankful. Days like today are rare.

I’m sure my lack of sleep (I’m running on 4-6 hours of sleep per night for the last 7 or 8 days) is a contributing factor. I’m definitely approaching burn out.

I knew that yesterday so I skipped my studio, took my mom out to dinner for her birthday (happy birthday mom!) and then came home and took a long hot bath and relaxed, went to bed early.

Guess that wasn’t quite enough. So I’m headed to bed early again.

I trust I will wake up refreshed and energized in the morning.

Art Auction Requests

Yesterday I received yet another art auction request. This is an often discussed topic for artists and I’ve written about it before. Most artists write about it at some point it seems.

The Society of North American Goldsmiths has a couple of excellent publications on the topic here. Based on their recommendations this is the letter I sent to the person making the request yesterday:

Dear ____________,

Thank you for your interest in my artwork. I’m flattered. Your event sounds wonderful!

I am more than happy to donate art to art auctions and your causes sound very worthy. I’m asked to donate to many auctions each year and am unable to accommodate every request so I’ve come up the following criteria to identify the events I will participate in.

I need to be able to set the minimum bid on my artwork. This protects me and the value of my artwork as selling art at auctions for extremely low costs is not in my best interest in the long run. If the piece isn’t sold for the minimum bid then I’d like it returned to me.

I also would like a % of the proceeds of the sales price – 20-50% is the range I normally encounter. This practice honors the work I do as an artist. The IRS only allows me to write off the costs of supplies on my taxes and not the market value of the donated art. So essentially I’m out all material costs and can’t make it back in a tax break. So you are asking me to donate both time and money by asking me for my art. Giving a % of the proceeds of the sales back to the artist (who are often as needy as the non-profits asking for art) is a practice more and more art auctions are adopting as it becomes more of a win situation for everyone in this way.

You haven’t given the details of the auction in your email so if you could send me that information I’d be happy to discuss this further.

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork.

 
I don’t participate in many auctions given my requirements, which is fine as I donate 10% of my gross income from art via my expansive giving policy and am able to support the causes I care about in that manner.

I’d love to donate more art to auctions and if the organizers were to restructure them to provide more value to the artists I’d be right there in line offering my artwork.

Solo Show Prep

I’ve been in my studio many hours this week creating the artwork for the show. I didn’t blog much this week as I used my writing time to send out my January newsletter. If you aren’t on the mailing list and want an idea of what you are missing you can read the latest newsletter online: January Studio News.