This past sunday a church member asked me if I could do a show in our church gallery for the month of May. I said sure. But now thinking about it I'm wondering if I'm really ready. I have one large piece on the loom that's 3/4 finished weaving with 3 smaller pieces that just need finishing.( sewing slits and mounting) These are all beginner pieces though, ones I used to explore a concept or two. They all follow a nature theme and use mostly the same yarn (millspun local wool handyed by me) but beyond that they aren't linked. 

I have seen the quality of the other artists in our church and they blow me out of the water. Do I just forge ahead?

Comments

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 19:54

tommye scanlin

We all have to start somewhere if we're wanting to show work.  If your church member has asked you to show your work he/she must have seen something in the work that appealed to him/her.  Present the work carefully and professionally, and hold your head up proudly as your tapestries begin their introduction to the world!

Now, five years from now what you'll be showing will be different.  But if you've put your best intentions into the work and you know there are good things about it at this stage, then put it forth to have feedback.

Just my opinions!

Tommye

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 20:27

Sue in VT

As a fellow newcomer to the world of weaving, I will offer this analogy.... When I was a classroom teacher, I encouraged writers to share their most current piece-in-progress with their peers. It was a moment in time, and represented where they were in their craft of writing. I think your honest efforts to a new endeavor could also inspire others to try new things!
Mon, 04/07/2014 - 23:35

tonyaleacht

 I will go ahead. I started finishing one of the smaller pieces and it looks better with the finishing. You are both right, I need feedback. Producing in a closed environment will not help me grow. It also won't help others get bit by the weaving bug!

Tue, 04/08/2014 - 20:11

ReedGuy

As they say, 'hold your head high' and march on. :)

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 22:14

Rita Weaverbird

Really keen to see how it is going for you.. Its May now, are you showing your work as requested? Can you share some pics? Good luck (if its happening). If not, can you share the story with us?
Thu, 05/15/2014 - 23:15

tonyaleacht

It's going, and it's not bad. perfect for a first timer.

I learned a lot. One it never helps to rush or wait till the last minute. Two- mounting seems easy, but hanging puts a lot of stress on the tapestry, and anything you didn't sew down will become a problem. (Carpet tape doesn't work!) And third-People are not kind to dispays, they will put their hands on them! This can cause issues.

Other than that it is pretty cool!

check out my projects for photos.

Fri, 05/16/2014 - 22:32

Rita Weaverbird

Nice one, tonya, hope you got loads of positive feedback!
Tue, 06/10/2014 - 22:19

tonyaleacht

I did. I should focus on that. I learned a lot though and all of it will help me be a better artist. I'm hoping to take my work from Hobby to Professional. 

Thank you all, I did another show right after thatusing the things I'd learned. The presentation was better, the reaction was interesting. I find that not many people have been exposed to tapestry.