New Postcards -- Trying New Marketing Strategies While on hiatus from teaching and my art studio work I have decided to focus on marketing the fiber artist side of my life. So with use of my right arm, right hand and a pitiful use of my left hand - I designed two postcards. I plan to do a small mailing local campaign. My goal is get some interest in commissions from local architectural firms, interior designers, developers, and various potential private patrons. With the slow economy and the old catch twenty-two, my expectations are kind of low.....but it is still a good move on my part.
Here are the postcards. I wanted to use images of work that might be of local interest.
Why not cool off in a gallery setting and take a look at some of my work?
Check out my some of my larger pieces in the mid-town area of Tallahassee :
1020 ART 1020 East Lafayette Street Tallahassee, FL 32301-4546
Their new Summer Hours are listed at the left.
On exhibit are some of my quilted maps such as Rattler Country, inspired by FAMU's campus or "A Tale of Two Campuses" based on our city's 2 great campuses. FAMU and FSU.
Or you may want to spend some time in Killearn where you can see my small format pieces at:
The Humidity Gallery 1355 Market Street #A-3 Tallahassee, FL 32312 (850) 222-0380
Please take a look at my "Tallahassee Park" pieces.
I have created a series of cartographic quilts about several local parks such as Lake Ella, Lafayette Park and Dorothy Oven Park where some of you may have tied the knot!
Good things sometimes happen when you least expect it! On a lark I entered a quilt in a local art show, the Artist League Annual Salon at the Florida State University Gallery- Tallahassee, Fl.
The piece is called Lifeline and I had designed it a few years ago, after a year long hiatus from creating art. It represented my "lifeline" into making quilts again. Not sure why but I had never entered into into any venue until this one came around.
But much to my surprise it won 2nd place. And, it was judged against all types of art -- sculpture, painting, etc.....
Where old skool architectural tools meet the process of completing a quilt....
Went to the studio space at the School of Architecture yesterday. I needed a table large enough to use for squaring up my latest quilt.
Had a eureka moment.........one of the arcjotecture students from the Spring semester had left behind a drafting table. I was able to use it to square up the quilt, it was narrow enough to fit on the table.
How convenient it was to be able to use the table and the parallel bar to draw parallel and perpendicular lines along each side of the quilt!
This small study started as a sample for one of my workshops called The Expressive Map see below). After completion I decided to donate it to a worthy cause, theSAQA Benefit Auction
I was proud to learn that my quilt City Grid V was among the works of art chosen for Creative Force 2010. This exhibit showcases the art work created by artists that are members of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA).
A list of chosen artists follows: Abrams Linda Allen Pamela Attinger Geneviève Baker Roberta Barton Elizabeth Bessmertnaya Bornemisza Eszter Brewster Eliza Brown Peggy Chung Paula Davies Fenella de Vos Ruth . Errea Grace Gilbert Monique Goodwin Valerie Harwell Ann Hawkins Patty Helmericks-Louder Annie Herman Jean Jenison Leslie Tucker Kovarik Paula Kroth Pat Krueger Susan Larzelere Judith McKie Barbara McQuaid Salli Nash Dominie Nida Kathy Pasquini Masopust Pauly Pat Pet-Jacobs Mirjam Pfaff Julia Pressma C.J Randol Melody Sargeant Dinah Smith Lura Schwarz Spiegel Virginia Stuart-Head Averill Timm Catherine Tunnell Karen Valya Valya C Watler Barbara Williamson Marianne Willoughby Scott Jayne Woock Sandra Blue Wright Diane
The Visions Art Gallery, beautiful San Diego and the wonderful, creative women that attended my "Map Haiku" workshop......these were the ingredients for a memorable times! And to top it off I got to spend time with my dear college friend Gwen!
The exhibit entitled "3 Voices" was excellent. The work of my fellow artists Katherine Allen and Kent Williams was stunning. Each of us had a room of our own and the Visions staff did a great job of promoting and creating an engaging atmosphere for the opening. It was held in conjunction with the 1st Friday art events taking place on the same night.
My workshop was held the next day. Everyone had the challenge of creating a mixed media map of an imaginary place. The inspiration was haiku especially written to conjure up poetic images of a place seen from above.
When I returned home I heard from Jo and Suanne who were kind enough to provide feedback on their experience with the class. As you can see they both chose the same haiku as inspiration.
"Valerie, wanted to thank you for a wonderful class at Visions last week. I thoroughly enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. I will keep track of your class schedule and hope to take a longer class someday. Here is my finished Map Haiku."
tracings on the land /
grace monochromatic spaces /
and serene dark places.
And I heard from part Suanne as well:
"Valerie:
I had a wonderful time in your class and learned so much. I have a much better
understanding of using paint on quilts without feeling I have to paint the whole
thing......
Attached is a finished picture of my quilt. I plan to name it "Haiku Harmony"
and mention on the back how 3 of your Haiku's inspired the quilt.
It was a joy to learn from you and I am inspired by your work."
tracings on the land /
grace monochromatic spaces /
and serene dark places.
I will post more images of work done by other students later this week..................
