Houston Quilt Judging-True Confessions?!
I submitted my first piece to judging in 2005 when I entered this jacket into a wearable art competition in my local quilt guild, the Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild. At the time there were no less than 3 members that were “Bernina Designers”, so they were nationally recognized artists!
I now understand how design-challenged and needy my humble little jacket was, especially compared to the work of some, but I was going full speed ahead! When I received my judges comments back they were harsh-I was devastated. But I was NOT going to let that stop me-I made a decision to “just go forward”-one of my mantras.
That one incident taught me a lot about having my work judged. I want to pass along a few thoughts about my attitude towards judges and having my work judged:
1. My work is judged, not me! Let there be no confusion.
2. No matter how harsh the criticism, I have never had a judge say something untrue.
3. The judges comments can be enormously useful for propelling my art/career forward-I listen!
4. The more harsh the criticism, the more I am determined to improve.
I just received my judge’s comments back from the Houston International Quilt Festival and I have to say I was disappointed and surprised by the comments and rating of one judge. What I have learned from this is, if I’m going to play in the Big Sandbox with the big boys and girls, I’m going to have to up my game.
Will do.
Jenny – I have just been through and read your blogl – Its so interesting. Its nice to meet another ‘whisperer’ I still find it a bit difficult, and as you have seen I am trying to make things I can quilt lots on. I love to draw the design , but it takes time…so free motion is so good. I love what you have written here and your previous post. I look forward to reading more of what you are up to. I am sure you get to where you wish to go. Keep trying, as we all do. I look forward to seeing what you are doing.
Thank you Joan. Funny you should write-I have your blog on my feed! I enjoy reading about your process and what you’re doing. Your work is beautiful and I loved reading about your Christmas Signature quilt-it’s beautiful. I hope to design a wholecloth soon from the exercises from the Quilt Whisperer class. I’ll be following you!
Just browsing through your older posts. I like this one. I remember before my first entry into a show (last year), a fellow guild member told me the judge’s comments usually tell you what you already know. If they make us aware of something we didn’t know, what a learning opportunity!