Progress on 2013 Goals

It's hard to believe that we're almost at the middle of March... almost 1/4 of the year is done!  However, with that in mind today, I thought I should review and see how I'm doing on My Goals for the year.

"Best Friends" by Christina Fairley Erickson
Commercial and artist hand-painted cottons, machine applique, machine free-motion quilting

My first goal is to work on finding and defining my artistic voice.  I've outlined several steps to help myself with this.  First, is to work with Gail Harker, of the Gail Harker Center for the Creative Arts.  You might recall some of my previous posts about the fantastic exhibit, Complex Threads, which featured the work of students of Gail.  I'm set for this part of my goal, starting next week when I'll be taking her Experimental Hand Stitch 101 course. This course will complete my 100 level series classes, and I'll be continuing on the path starting in May with Studies in Design and Experimental Hand and Machine Stitch 201 which will meet approximately every 3 months through the end of 2014.  

"Best Friends" detail by Christina Fairley Erickson

Next, I decided to kick up my production to help with defining my artistic voice.  To do this, I've been making my weekly 5 x 7 Challenge piece.  So far, I'm keeping up with this (one week I didn't finish, but then did two in another week.)  I also wanted to do my small art quilt group's challenge every other month.  I've only got a couple weeks to go to finish this and I'm not sure that I'm going to make this one.  The theme of the current Fiber Funster Challenge is "Waiting."  while I have designed a piece, I haven't even started it in production.  Maybe I can get it going this weekend.

Finally, I planned to document my progress in my blog, which I've been doing.  This also has helped me with my second major goal, which is to ramp up my pictorial quilts.  I feel like I've made a lot of progress through the weekly production of 5 x 7 pieces, both with my technical skills and composition.  I do still need to start working on a plan for creating a body of work.  

My third goal has to do with studio organization.  Here I have made some progress, but not enough to be proud of... I am at least working in my studio almost daily, rather than my studio being such a disaster area that I end up pulling my work out into other areas of the house!

My next goals, opening an Etsy shop and working towards a solo show in 2015 are still in the thought process, although I have looked through Etsy and think I can stay on track to open by mid 2013.  Beyond that, I'm on track for completing my piece for the Salsa show (entry due in mid-April).  I haven't yet decided upon my second medium-to-large sized piece to create, although I may go back to my roots and make another horse-themed quilt.  I won a first place (and cash prize!) at an equine art-show two years ago and just received the call for entry for this coming summer. Alternatively, I may shoot for finishing one of my works in progress, such as my Waterfall quilt or Cathedral Visions.  

I'm scratching the final goal, completing a driftwood art sculpture in time to enter in the May show.  Although I love the driftwood art, I'm not having the time to do it as well as my main love, fiber.  

Well, I'm in a bit of overwhelm now, with all that I need to do.  Guess it's time to get back to sewing!

You might also be interested in:

Complex Threads 1

Complex Threads 2

Artistic Goals 2013

2013 Artist 
5 x 7 Challenge