Sunday 12 November 2017

refuge



'lifeboat'


Lately there has been another tsunami of posts on the interpixies by various people operating in the creative arts whirled, complaining about copyists.

The funny thing is that many of them derive a living from having either copied someone else's work from a book, poached a successful business model (in one case, together with the email list!) from an associate or are directly teaching exactly what they have learned in a class.

I stopped giving printed handouts in the year 2000, when someone at the textile forum who had not actually been in my class, helped themselves to a copy and then advertised and presented the class (verbatim) a few months later.

Sometimes people still ask for them...and I can't help but raise an eyebrow when they add "because I've been asked to teach the class to   my quilt group/local school/in a workshop   next whenever.

I have been teaching creative classes of one sort or another since 1986 and have participated in many (over thirty) classes as a student, most recently one with the lovely Lorna Crane. Next year I'll be back at Shakerag...as a student. Will I be sharing directly what I have learned? No.

I choose to attend classes that will add to my practice, in a kind of personalised ongoing post-graduate professional development program. Sometimes I learn more about the practice of teaching than about a specific technique. Either way, the experience is invaluable and improves the way I present classes, but indirectly so.

That's because the experience is filtered through my life, not simply reproduced.

'landgarland'


So when people ask me outright to explain exactly how I make my personal work (which is what happened at the opening of my current exhibition 'refuge') I politely decline. There's enough information freely available about 'ecoprinting' online and I don't care if you are "just a painter and unlikely to use it" because I'm sorry but my bullshit detector redlined when I saw your partner's ears pricked and alert. I wouldn't have explained it anyway. To say that it's a contact print is enough.

Also, I am now wise to the practice of inviting people to lunch to talk about the possibility of working with their firm...and then having your brains thoroughly picked. Lunch is not a sufficient payment for my time (and airfares). I prefer my own cooking most times anyway. In future, persons wanting to "consult" will need to substantiate that interest with appropriate reimbursement for my time and travel. Your lawyer isn't going to drop in for lunch to tell you exactly how to manage a situation either. The other thing I will not allow is prospective hosts to "sit in on a class" to see how it will "fit with their program".  I'm not so much green as I'm cabbage-looking.

On the sunny side, I do love teaching, and that is why sharing the class 'being (t)here' makes me so happy. It changes with each location, and grows as I dream up new techniques and practices to add. Each one is different from the next. The poetry writing, though it fills some with trepidation, has become a rich and fulfilling part of the event. Participants still learn how to print on cloth and paper, but also develop more confidence in drawing and writing. Many tell me that they come away from our time together with a deeper knowledge of themselves and with a clearer vision of where they want to take their own work.

Things like that fill me with a deep satisfaction, gratitude and the feeling that my time on this wondrous planet is not being entirely wasted.

Next year will take me to France, Canada, New Zealand, and Scotland

(look for an announcement soon about

"wayfinding between time in the outlands…" in Orkney)
 as well as (a little closer to home) Queensland and Western Australia.

Maybe I'll see you somewhere out there?

'Albertine' doing her thing






20 comments:

  1. India, having taken two of your classes I can definitely say I have come away with much more than how to contact print. I am much more aware of what I buy and wear, more aware of my enviroment both natural and man made.I love seeing what happens with leaves and flowers and then slow stitching the result. Thank You.

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    1. thank you for the kind words, Maureen. It's been a joy to have you in class.

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    1. Oh that would be lovely...there are two events planned for Scotland next November...one on Orkney, the other on the West Coast.

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    2. Aah, that sounds good! November, usually the thoughtful month here before all the bright and sometimes harsh lights come up. I can imagine it will be very inspiring ☺

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  3. Hear hear! Well said, India. It's amazing how much people want to fleece you of your knowledge aneed skIlls.
    Thank you for all that you do, and all that you share. I'd follow you everywhere if I could, but my days with you and the girls at Wirrealpa will reside and nourish me forever.

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    1. Wirrealpa has a special place in my heart and it was lovely to share it with you all. So good to be out beyond everything and under starry skies.

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  4. Hi India, I never took a class but not only appreciate your work but your ability to be perfectly clear when sharing your views....please continue in good health to do both!

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    1. may I return the compliment, Sandy? and hope that our paths may one day cross again.

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  5. gawwwwwh ---- you've met with lorna (who is just down the road from me -- I'm loving her brush series)

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  6. (ooooo forget to add -- although she's 'just down the road', I still haven't been able to get to one of her brushy workshops! - I blame the sporty kidlets)

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  7. I love how you make it so clear India, when somebody tries to "pull the wool over your eyes"! I have loved the times spent Being (T)here, and cherish the memories deeply, and love those writing and reflective moments. Hoping to join you in the Orkneys??!! Travel safe x

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  8. Just catching up on my blog reading and noticed that you'll be a student at Shakerag next summer. Am curious which class. I just signed up for Words and Images by Steward Kestenbaum and Susan Webster. Any chance we'll be students together again? Enjoy!

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    1. I was torn between a number of things...but as to which one I chose?
      You'll have to wait until June next year to find out.
      #keepemguessing

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  9. I took two classes with you--La Conner and Lopez Island-Both--incredible experiences for me. I love slow stitching and your gentle grace in presenting your class was much appreciated. I wish I could afford one of your classes outside the U.S.--but can't hope we have a change of leadership and you will choose to come back. Meanwhile--blessings to you and thank you for all you teach.

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    1. maybe my brain is becoming porridge (I do hope not) but I don't recall ever teaching at La Conner...however I'm going to have my fingers crossed that maybe you meant Whidbey and that it really is me you are giving those kind compliments to. Thank you.
      Even if the leadership does change, I think my US teaching days are probably over, given the list of requirements that needs fulfilling in order to be given the appropriate visa.
      I take hope that as a door slams, a window flies open...

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    2. Yes--you are right--Coupeville, Whidbey Island. I have been taking a lot of classes in La Conner lately. I am deeply sorry that you won't be back in the U.S.

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    3. me too...I visit only on a private basis these days

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  10. I have been following your work for years and your methods and your beautiful quiet approach to your art is so inspiring. It is a shame when that there are those who wish to just coppy for the sake of making a profit without even realizing that if they included themselves and created their own personal work that it would enrich the world. It happens way too often and to too many artists that I have known.

    Will you ever do a workshop near the East Coast of the United States? (Montreal/ Ottawa area or the Caribbean?) I am sorry it is so difficult to teach here. Thank you for your wise words, your creativity and continuing to share on a personal level.

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    1. thank you for your kind words ... I have two retreats just announced for Scotland that might be of interest?
      way down the bottom of this page...

      http://www.indiaflint.com/page40.htm

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