Comments on: Focus on the Positive http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html Images and writing about my abstract contemporary textile art by Lisa Call. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:54:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Ed Terpening http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14408 Ed Terpening Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:07:17 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14408 Thanks for this reminder to focus on the positive! I get plenty of rejection letters, and you're right, it hurts for a second, but you move on. One artist I really admire, who's now famous and sells everything she paints, showed me her stack of rejection letters. She kept them all as a reminder. Thanks for this reminder to focus on the positive! I get plenty of rejection letters, and you’re right, it hurts for a second, but you move on. One artist I really admire, who’s now famous and sells everything she paints, showed me her stack of rejection letters. She kept them all as a reminder.

]]> By: Mary Andrews http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14279 Mary Andrews Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:57:14 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14279 I enter mostly all media shows. On the entry forms where it lists what types of art will be considered, the word "fiber" is used. I've never seen the word "textiles" on a form. I've tried different descriptions of what I do and have settled on fiber artist. Personally, I don't like the word quilt in the title. Alyson says that we quilters are too hung up on not using the word quilt, but if I say that I am an art quilter to anyone, I get the grandma response. I enter mostly all media shows. On the entry forms where it lists what types of art will be considered, the word “fiber” is used. I’ve never seen the word “textiles” on a form. I’ve tried different descriptions of what I do and have settled on fiber artist. Personally, I don’t like the word quilt in the title. Alyson says that we quilters are too hung up on not using the word quilt, but if I say that I am an art quilter to anyone, I get the grandma response.

]]> By: Tracy Wall http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14262 Tracy Wall Sat, 29 Sep 2007 23:19:27 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14262 I agree with Paula about "mixed media"; it takes my mind a different direction. I also like "textile assemblage" though some may think it has too much of a maufacturing bent. Could you get away with "textile collages"? I'm not even sure you need "contemporary" in there. Personally, I prefer something vaguer like "textile creations". As for separating yourself from the "wet blankets" in your life, the past year I've been trying to focus more on the positive (a la Jack Canfield, et al) and the pervading theme they always come back to is: "What you pay attention to grows." So I try to focus on that one painting that really worked, that fabulous hike, my 4-legged children, etc. Keep smiling! I agree with Paula about “mixed media”; it takes my mind a different direction. I also like “textile assemblage” though some may think it has too much of a maufacturing bent. Could you get away with “textile collages”? I’m not even sure you need “contemporary” in there. Personally, I prefer something vaguer like “textile creations”.

As for separating yourself from the “wet blankets” in your life, the past year I’ve been trying to focus more on the positive (a la Jack Canfield, et al) and the pervading theme they always come back to is: “What you pay attention to grows.” So I try to focus on that one painting that really worked, that fabulous hike, my 4-legged children, etc.

Keep smiling!

]]> By: paula http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14259 paula Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:18:00 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14259 last thought: contemporary fiber art last thought:
contemporary fiber art

]]> By: Penny http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14257 Penny Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:46:10 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14257 I'm a mixed-media book artist -- talk about having to explain myself!! Too many people have no idea what book artistry is -- but it does lend itself to conversations as I try to enlighten people about book art. I do think of mixed-media as using several different mediums. I love 'textile artist' -- you ARE an artist so don't be afraid to call yourself one. Have you ever appeared or submitted any of your work to "Quilting Arts"? It would be a perfect venue for your work. I know how hard it is to send those feelers out into the world. When we make a piece it becomes so personal -- hard to get a rejection on something reveals our heart. But you must keep on trying because nothing will come about at all if you don't. Your work is beautiful. I’m a mixed-media book artist — talk about having to explain myself!! Too many people have no idea what book artistry is — but it does lend itself to conversations as I try to enlighten people about book art. I do think of mixed-media as using several different mediums. I love ‘textile artist’ — you ARE an artist so don’t be afraid to call yourself one. Have you ever appeared or submitted any of your work to “Quilting Arts”? It would be a perfect venue for your work. I know how hard it is to send those feelers out into the world. When we make a piece it becomes so personal — hard to get a rejection on something reveals our heart. But you must keep on trying because nothing will come about at all if you don’t. Your work is beautiful.

]]> By: Joanie San Chirico http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14250 Joanie San Chirico Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:15:08 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14250 I use Mixed Media Textile Art myself. Fiber encompasses too many other types, i.e. basketry, weaving, etc. I lose the "art" part, when someone asks, saying that I work in Mixed Media and Textiles. How about Contemporary Constructions, with a sub-title of Abstract Textile Art? I use Mixed Media Textile Art myself. Fiber encompasses too many other types, i.e. basketry, weaving, etc. I lose the “art” part, when someone asks, saying that I work in Mixed Media and Textiles.

How about Contemporary Constructions, with a sub-title of Abstract Textile Art?

]]> By: Diana Connolly http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14248 Diana Connolly Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:55:39 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14248 Lisa: you should talk to Priscilla Bianchi, a quilter who in the beginning was pretty naive and after she had completed a body of work, took photos and sent them out to tons of museums [even the textile museum in DC] and places asking for a show and got many positive responses. I'm sure she got some rejections too, but the point is that she just put it all out there and got exposure and good response. I think it takes some guts and naivete helps too sometimes to just let yourself be vulnerable and hope for the best. I think that artists as a group have such tender egos and need to let go of that. Rejection is just the other side of acceptance and seeing one's cup as half full is a better way of viewing the world. Just go for it and let go. Good luck. Lisa: you should talk to Priscilla Bianchi, a quilter who in the beginning was pretty naive and after she had completed a body of work, took photos and sent them out to tons of museums [even the textile museum in DC] and places asking for a show and got many positive responses. I’m sure she got some rejections too, but the point is that she just put it all out there and got exposure and good response. I think it takes some guts and naivete helps too sometimes to just let yourself be vulnerable and hope for the best. I think that artists as a group have such tender egos and need to let go of that. Rejection is just the other side of acceptance and seeing one’s cup as half full is a better way of viewing the world. Just go for it and let go. Good luck.

]]> By: Marty52 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14247 Marty52 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:18:35 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14247 Lisa, I was the one who suggested entering your work in the Denver Modernism show. Your pieces have a very clean, spare look that would appeal (IMHO) to those who have mid-century modern and contemporary homes. In particular, your Structures #79, with it's striking colorway, has a very modern vibe. If you are unfamiliar with these architectural and decorating styles, some magazines to look through are Atomic Ranch, Dwell, Metropolitan Home and Modernism. As a way to judge the appeal of your pieces to this market, perhaps you could ask one or two of the Modern/Retro resale stores in the Denver area if you could display a few of your small pieces in their stores. Here is a website with a bit more information about Modernism in Denver: http://www.milehimodern.com/modernHistory.php Just a thought... Lisa, I was the one who suggested entering your work in the Denver Modernism show. Your pieces have a very clean, spare look that would appeal (IMHO) to those who have mid-century modern and contemporary homes. In particular, your Structures #79, with it’s striking colorway, has a very modern vibe. If you are unfamiliar with these architectural and decorating styles, some magazines to look through are Atomic Ranch, Dwell, Metropolitan Home and Modernism.

As a way to judge the appeal of your pieces to this market, perhaps you could ask one or two of the Modern/Retro resale stores in the Denver area if you could display a few of your small pieces in their stores. Here is a website with a bit more information about Modernism in Denver: http://www.milehimodern.com/modernHistory.php

Just a thought…

]]> By: Sue Smith http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14246 Sue Smith Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:33:29 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14246 Lisa~ I like the words assemblage from Paula and constructs from Olga because they relate to art historical terms. Fiber would be a description of what you are making your constructs from....Alyson made a great point once about learning how to frame what we do within the larger picture of art history. At first it was difficult for me to think in terms of comparing, so I began to think in terms of continuing a conversation and it became a lot easier for me to see which artists impacted my thinking. Lisa~
I like the words assemblage from Paula and constructs from Olga because they relate to art historical terms. Fiber would be a description of what you are making your constructs from….Alyson made a great point once about learning how to frame what we do within the larger picture of art history. At first it was difficult for me to think in terms of comparing, so I began to think in terms of continuing a conversation and it became a lot easier for me to see which artists impacted my thinking.

]]> By: Daniel Sroka http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14243 Daniel Sroka Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:05:48 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/09/focus-on-the-positive.html#comment-14243 Ach, I have placed a moratorium on doing shows as well. It's been a while since I did my last solo show and I was getting a little worried. But I sat down to think about it, and realized that while fun and ego-stoking, the cost/benefit of a show is not so good. So often they generate little sales, little interest, and after months of work just end up being one little line item on my resume. So I'm pushing other, hopefully more profitable marketing efforts. I do miss the wine and cheese.... Ach, I have placed a moratorium on doing shows as well. It’s been a while since I did my last solo show and I was getting a little worried. But I sat down to think about it, and realized that while fun and ego-stoking, the cost/benefit of a show is not so good. So often they generate little sales, little interest, and after months of work just end up being one little line item on my resume. So I’m pushing other, hopefully more profitable marketing efforts. I do miss the wine and cheese….

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