Portfolio 2025: the Best of 2024 is the current FRCQ annual online juried members’ exhibit.

The juror for Portfolio 2024 was Jo Fitsell.  

From Jo:

“Artists! Oh what a fragile place to be!”

Thanks to Ruth Murayama for her support and expertise. It was a delight to work with her strong professionalism.

I am one of the founders of FRCQ and my artwork was birthed by this group. (I still feel the labor pains). I was supported, challenged, frustrated and coddled by this group. I am a supportive person, but with this show, maybe one of our last ones, I want to offer the part of me that challenges.

I am an artist (took me so long to say that) and an art teacher and sometimes an art coach. But when I look back, it was those times I was challenged, those times really served my art. I had a few trusted friends who risked telling me the truth and FRCQ to sing praises of my efforts.

First some technical observations…some things need repeating.

It IS hard to jury the richness and depth of your work on a computer screen. Good photography is so important. Sometimes, as women, we don’t see our own value and we don’t take as good care of ourselves and our art as we do of others. Taking short-cuts and not doing or getting great photography is a problem for the juror. Since this show is online, it is even more important not to use blurry images.

Also, write, write, write!  Help the juror understand the story behind the piece, the intentions and describe the process well. The juror is trying to take a look into your tool box and read the personal voice. For example, if you print an image on fabric, say how.

I read what you wrote and missed it when you didn’t. However, your voices are strong. Your attempts are brave. Many of you are so clear on what you want to accomplish. Memories from trips, being in awe in nature, connecting to strangers, special moments, land forms and political atrocities.

Some of you are attracted to images from artists from other cultures and repeated them in your work. I have strong feelings about lifting other artist’s work even when it is in the public domain. Especially when you are  not from that culture. It seems better and more interesting to show the viewer why you were drawn to the work, and how you respond to it, rather than to just repeat their images. I am not saying I do not enjoy these  pieces or they are not worth making. They certainly are! I don’t feel they belong in this particular art show where I am looking for your self-expression.

If you named other artists you were inspired by, I look up the artists. What I am looking for here, is whether or not you are engaging with the artwork and responding to it, much like a conversation, or you have simply lifting up their expressive voice.

I have a personal and powerful attraction to Inuit art and there is nothing I would like to do more than repeat their glorious images. Instead, I examine what it is I am attracted to in their
work, and let that inspire mine. I don’t take their images and repeat them. If I wanted to, I would make a piece for my own enjoyment and not enter in in shows that focus on art quilts.

I offer my honest feedback. But please remember, it is only one woman’s opinion.

You can reject the information and let it help you dig into your original plan. It can give yourself a greater understanding of why you would not make any of the suggested changes or you could open yourself up to what others see in your work. Maybe some of the suggestions will enhance and strengthen your artistic voice. Maybe not. You are in the driver’s seat.

I am also taking a risk at giving my honest opinion rather than the “be nice” way I was raised. It is just an offering, you can accept, reject or file under “so what?”. I do try to be aware of my biases and name them when appropriate. I have a strong preference for self-expression.

I have commented when I think the techniques distract and when the personal voice could be stronger. I spent twice the amount of ;me on the unselected work as the selected. Looking at the submissions as a whole,  there seems to be a group that wants to depict something, capture the image as is and those who try to portray or express their experiences or emotions in a more abstract way. Either way, the fabric seems to have a mind of its own. In general, I think what we are trying to do with fabric is hard, it is not an easy task. Some folks let the process and the fabric take the lead and actually follow where it wants to go which ends up
in very creative and expressive work.

Even when you are trying to depict something realistically, you want some other “magic” to happen in the coming together of the fabric pieces. Some mood to take over. Therefore, you cannot have any distractions in perspective, creating depth or facial expressions. You must work to eliminate all of those. It is a good ;me to get feedback from a trusted critique group.

I would suggest that you go back to drawing on paper before you go to the fabric. Not to sell your drawings, but to simply spend time working on the basic principles of art which will serve your designs well.

Some of you allow the computer to do this for you instead of developing your own skills. I am fine with using computer program as an art tool, but not as a cover for lack of skill. You may be well surprised how a basic drawing class or just ;me spent drawing can quickly train your brain.

I like to see the “hand” of the artist. This is a bias I will name. And some;mes that comes through very well using the computer and sometimes the computer takes over and it shows up as coldness in the work, or it  creates distance between the voice of the artist and the viewer.

This is not to say that some computer programs, after spending hours and hours on them, also become part of the artist’s tool box. People start engaging with the programs in very creative ways and there is a bond happening. The computer can become as important as the sewing machine but the artist’s voice has to meld with the program and become one.

It is a joy for me to think of all of you in your studios working away with fabric. Stay connected to each other and enjoy the process of art. It is a great teacher, a great healer and a great way
to spend the day!    –Jo Fitsell

Enjoy our newest annual, online, juried members’ exhibition!

Portfolio 2025: the Best of 2024

(Click on any image to scroll through and see the overall images)

Portfolios from previous years can also be viewed:

Portfolio 2024: the Best of 2023

Portfolio 2023: the Best of 2022

Portfolio 2022: the Best of 2021

Portfolio 2021: the Best of 2020

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