Hi

I'm looking for some work to show pictures of .. but most of my weaving is for COE samples. And I'm not supposed to show those!  

Here's the conundrum-- I'm in a panel discussion about using computers for weaving, and I use a program to help me design inlay and tapestry. I'd like to put a picture of a piece and the related computer image in the program for our upcoming conference.  I know I can't use the exact same piece that's in my COE submission, but what about something that looks suspiciously similar.. maybe a different image but a similar technique??

Any idea if that's ok?

marie

 

Comments

Sun, 11/23/2014 - 17:42

warpology

Are there any mentors that can answer that question? I would not do it if it would jeopordize your COE. 

Sun, 11/23/2014 - 20:15

Artistry

Marie, Call Judie Eatough on that one. Cathie
Mon, 11/24/2014 - 13:28

ingamarie

Good idea. I just asked Judie. I also asked about posting to Facebook or by website.  Mary Ann Sandborn's comment this summer was something along the lines that I was 'overestimating' how much anyone pays attention to things like Facebook.  :)

 

Tue, 11/25/2014 - 03:56

Artistry

Interesting, I turned down being a Reviewer than an Examiner for 2016, I pay attention to Lots of sites :) It really depends on whether someone likes to cruise the web or not. Individual. Did you say that you can disguise it enough that someone wouldn't associate with your COE piece?
Tue, 11/25/2014 - 13:55

ingamarie

Here is what Judie said, Mary Ann Sandborn is in the discussion now too and will respond later. 

As someone who is trying to make my samples a bit unique, I can't help it, I'm not sure I agree... but this is one perspective. Also it's the unique pieces that someone working on the COE would want to show, no?

From Judie:

For part 1 of the COE the projects do not need to be original in design.  I have seen many out of Handwoven.  Especially easy to pick out is the bead leno piece – since it is one of the few articles on bead leno readily available. 

That said, if examiners had seen pictures of your pieces, they may not know if they were from you or someone using your ideas.  Unless they actually had the original picture – they might only know they had seen something like it.  So I would think you could use your weavings to illustrate a presentation without any problems.  I probably would not mention that they were your COE  submissions before the COE exam.  After the exam, that is fine. 

I would probably not put the samples on your web site.  But even then, it may not be important. 

Now if you were working with a group that is working on the COE, I know you can share your samples with each other.  When we had the COE exam here with my local guild, a few talked about doing a study group and encouraging and sharing with each other.  That was felt to be just fine. 

Also – with the exception of your yardage and the tapestry designs, not much is recognizable as being unique.  All of the color blankets look the same, the twill sampler doesn’t look very different.  Lace samples etc are pretty much the same.  And there are finished COE’s on line that weavers can look at and study. 

So I would do as I like with photos with just a little caution.  

Tue, 11/25/2014 - 15:50

Artistry

Marie, I'm somewhat surprised by this response. My advise for your own learning and for "wowing" the examiners is in pushing yourself in making your work as unique and creative as possible, which it looks like you're doing. I believe taking a project from Handwoven and submitting is totally against the spirit of the COE in submitting your very best work in all aspects, including design. What if also , all the applicants that year took the same approach, pretty boring. I believe read Handwoven plus your other books ,is the starting point, then make it your own and show the examiners you have"Mastery of Technique". Also, what if you had written the book, or the article, that someone decided to copy, and then end up being one of the examiners! I know this is not a competition with other COE applicants who submit your year. But having your work stand out through it's originality is a huge plus. So that's my 2 cents worth and my rave. I'll try to be quiet for the rest of it :) Cathie
Tue, 11/25/2014 - 17:20

ingamarie

And that is precisely my approach-- one of doing original work and pushing my limits. But I think that Judie's point is that it's not a requirement.  

FWIW... Robyn Spady showed me a great Power Point presentation with 2 side by side submissions  -- one very plain and one full of wow -- both were successful.

We will see what Mary Ann says...

marie

Tue, 11/25/2014 - 20:12

Artistry

Yes, I agree, I think that's Judy's point too. I would love to see Robin's power point. Is this something HGA let her do so she could talk to various groups? I hope she shows it at Convergences.
Tue, 11/25/2014 - 23:19

ingamarie

She made it for a guild presentation I think, and  showed it to me when I talked to her at Convergence this summer. She was really wonderfully generous with her time. The big point she wanted to make was that things don't have to be over the top spectacular to be good samples. Technically excellent is the key, according to her.  

But it all depends on the examiner doesn't it :)

Wed, 11/26/2014 - 00:26

Artistry

It's great you're doing all this investigation , in the meantime forge ahead :) Trying to get in touch with Robin and get her take . Cathie
Sat, 11/29/2014 - 00:43

ingamarie

Here's what Judie just wrote me:

Hello,  talked to Sandra Swarbrick who has been on the COE committee for a decade of more. 

Mary Ann had called her because she has no power and lives in that horrible snow area.  

So, tapestry things and yardage are probably the most recognizable pieces.  So if you feel uncomfortable about using them for promo pieces, you can decide.  But that said, it will probably not be a problem.  Samples do not need to be unique.  And while examiners may have seen your pictures, they may not remember them in a couple of years.  And if the exam is being hosted by a Texas guild, that does not mean the examiners will be from Texas.  If fact, I don’t think they use local guild members as examiners – only as scribes.  And if anyone recognizes things they are not supposed to say anything. 

If recognized, it should not make any real difference.  I can’t imagine not being so busy grading as to worry about who the submission belongs to.  And the examination process is so busy and straight forward that it really would be hard to worry about this.  There are two examiners for each submission.  

So end word, no rule against it – use your own judgment. 

I hope that helps a little.  

 

Judie

Sat, 11/29/2014 - 01:24

Artistry

If after the study of the weave, you can't design a sample in that weave, what's the point? Plus what happened to anominity? My last words on the subject, promise! Cathie
Sat, 11/29/2014 - 01:47

ingamarie

I can't answer to your first question, and also agree.. but to the second I think what she's saying is that it would still be anonymous. Maybe they underestimate how much some of us see online? That's possible. I certainly don't plan on plastering my COE work all over the internet.. but it's good to know that if I slip up it's not that big a deal.