Goal setting – 2016.01.03

I like to start each year by reviewing my goals for the previous year, as well as my accomplishments.  Then I think about what I want to accomplish in the coming year.

My goals for 2015 were to:

1. explore new exhibit opportunities to enter and show my work.
2. explore new workshop ideas.
3. start a new series of tree quilts, each with different techniques.  My goal was to make one a month during 2015.
4. explore a new working relationship, collaborating with my fiber artist sister Anne on one or more fiber art projects.

All of these goals are still relevant to me, so I’m going to carry them over to 2016.  Here’s what I did in 2015 to accomplish my goals, and what I plan to do in 2016.

New exhibit opportunities.  In 2015, I entered my work in several new-to-me juried shows, including:

• Quilts=Art=Quilts – my entries were not accepted, but I plan to enter this one again
• SPUN – my entry wasn’t accepted for this show either, but I will try again
• Fly Me to the Moon – This an exciting project – a visual celebration of Man’s First Walk on the Moon.  The selected quilts will travel to various venues, and be included in a book.  I’ve made a quilt ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and submitted it.  (I haven’t posted any photos of it, as required by the curator.)  The jurors’ decisions should be announced in mid-January 2016
• a matter of time – I’m working right now on an art quilt to submit to this travelling textile art exhibition.  It’s another one where I can’t share photos of my work in progress.
• AQM – Artist as Quiltmaker – I submitted 2 of my quilts, plus the one that Anne and I made together.  I should know in mid-January if any of them are accepted
• My Corner of the World – Canada – a SAQA exhibition.  I’m thrilled to say that my ‘Inside the Tipi’ was accepted for this exhibit.  The inspiration for this quilt is photo of a replica tipi in the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre In Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada.  I used machine piecing for the straight support poles, and fused raw-edge and folded-edge appliqué for the curved lines of the canvas cover.  The original photo (used with permission) was taken by my sister while visiting her daughter, who lives in Fort Smith.

New workshop ideas.  In 2015, I developed 2 new workshops – ‘Circles Circles Circles’ and ‘Architectural Art Quilts from Photos’ and created a page on my blog with the descriptions of all the workshops I offer.  In 2016, I already have 1 workshop and 2 trunk shows scheduled.  The photos below are some of the blocks created by students in 2 of my workshops.

Start a new series of tree quilts.  I made 2 quilts in my tree series, but will be making more in the near future.  I made a 3rd tree quilt, which I donated to the annual SAQA action.  I think I have enough of this fabric left to make a similar one for the series.

My tree series got stalled when I developed a fascination with circles – and made several circle quilts.

New working relationships.  My sister Anne and I created our collaborative quilt ‘Fire’, entered it in a show, then ‘set it on fire‘ to improve it.  We’ve started working on the next in our Elements series, ‘Water’ – and I’ll be visiting Anne soon to continue our collaboration.

My friend Judy Villett and I submitted a proposal to The Gallery at Queen’s Park for a joint exhibition titled ‘The Heart of the Forest’.  Our proposal was accepted and our work will be on exhibit in July 2016!   Thus, my need to start work again on the tree series.

I hope your goals for 2016  – whatever they may be – bring you fun and satisfaction.  And I wish you all a happy and creative year!

Thanks for stopping by.  Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.