Exhibit Preparation – Plan for the Artwork – Part 2
Upcoming Solo Exhibit
This is one of several posts about my preparation for my upcoming solo exhibit at Macky Gallery, Feb 17-March 17 with an opening reception Sunday, Feb 21 from 1-4 and artist talk at 2pm.
To see photos of the artwork as I’m creating it you can see my page on facebook: www.facebook.com/LisaCallFineArt. You don’t have to be on facebook to see this page, but if you are you can become a fan and see updates in your newsfeed.
Tasks
Last post was how much artwork I need. I will revisit this topic again and and write about how much art is needed to fill a gallery and how one figures this out – for now I’m going with this list:
1 quilt 3′ x 8′
2 quilts 4′ x 4′
4 quilts 3′ x 4′
2 quilts 3′ x 3′
18 quilts 12″ x 12″ (mounted on stretched canvas)
From this I needed to figure out how long it would take to make this artwork.
To make this simple I broke the work down into the the different tasks I do when making my textile paintings. These are:
- Compose - design of the quilt top and sewing it together.
- Baste - creating the traditional quilt layer (described in more detail here). I also cut the binding and sleeve and label at this time as I have the fabric out that matches the composition.
- Quilt - the stitching that holds the 3 layers together and gives the artwork texture. This phase generally takes the longest for me.
- Binding/Canvas – how I finish off the artwork. Larger work I put on a facing that is pulled to the back, much like a traditional quilt binding. For the smaller pieces I stitch them to stretched canvas.
- Hanging Device – the mechanism used the hang the art on the wall. For the larger pieces I put a long fabric tube on the back into which a board is place and the board is then hung on the wall. For the canvases I’ll add wires.
Time
From the tasks and artwork list I calculated the time it would take to do that task for each size. Fortunately I track my time in my studio so this was a pretty simple task.
My estimates:
Multiplying by the number for each size to reach a total time to create all of the artwork:
Finally adding in 5 hours for misc tasks such as painting the canvases and cutting the boards for hanging the total comes to 273 hours.
Next post I’ll talk about how I figured if I’d have time to put in this much time in my studio over 7 weeks (an average of 39 hours per week) while also working full time. Not to spoil the punch line, but good thing I have a bit of vacation time.
Posted by Lisa in: Art Exhibits
Tagged: art exhibit, art show, creating art, dwelling, planning, quilts, Textile Paintings
Hi Lisa,
It is interesting to see how you tackle your creative work schedule.
I think generous too, as I am learning from your approach and have benefited from your blog in so many ways. It is a great source of information and inspiration and recently I ordered Alison Stansfield ‘So You’d Rather Be in the Studio’ on the strength of reading these pages.
I wish you every success with your work and exhibition.
all the best maggie
Ok so now I need to acknowledge and apologise for my misquote in my comment on january 13.
I am now in possession of ‘So you’d rather be in the Studio’ by Alyson B. Stanfield and am looking forward to putting things in place!
Your textile paintings are incredibly interesting. Putting on an entire exhibit with your own artwork must be very time consuming!