By Shirley Sparks

I started quilting in 1996 with a background in garment construction. Mastering the various patch work and quilting techniques was fun but not a huge challenge for me, however I did become a workshop ‘junky’ keen to learn every technique I could.  I lost count of how many methods I learnt to construct flying geese!  For some time  I had been feeling that I wanted to move my quilting to the next level. To do this I decided I should undertake a course of study.

It was time for the biggest challenge of all, giving my work the zing of a well executed piece. I spent  three years searching for a course that would meet my needs and as I searched and procrastinated I realized that my needs were as much about fitting around work and  family commitments as it was about improving my artistic skills.

I was chatting to some quilting friends and one of them mentioned The Learning Connexion. Some research quickly showed me that their programmes best fitted my needs, but I still hesitated about enrolling. I had the usual ‘jitters’ of …‘am I capable of this and… have I got the time?’ etc etc.

Another birthday rolled by which made me decide that I needed to just get on and do it!! I had read in the NANZQ newsletter that Marion Manson was awarded the 2008 NANZQ Award and decided that I would put in an application for the 2009 award to help with the course fees. I was delighted to receive the acceptance letter. Receiving this award  was about more than financial help. It was also recognition of what I had already achieved and that what I was about to undertake was considered a worthwhile endeavour.  I am very grateful to the NANZQ committee for their confidence in me and being prepared to ‘look outside the square’ of the usual quilting type workshops when selecting recipients for their award.

Towards the end of January 2009 a large package arrived from The Learning Connexion. I was both excited and nervous as I opened it. There was a variety of art supplies (some of which I had no idea what they were or how to use them) and a pile of DVD’s and manuals.

I put the first DVD on and was shattered to find the first exercise was to draw a self portrait. At this point my first reaction was to bundle everything up and send it back. My thoughts went to the NANZQ committee who had confidence in me, so I had to keep going. I drew my self portrait, dated it and put it aside as instructed. The DVD then gave me instructions on drawing more portraits. I kept myself going with the thought that they would have no idea how good they were because they wouldn’t see the people I was drawing, therefore, they couldn’t make comparisons. As time went on I learnt that it wasn’t about how much the drawing was a good likeness of the person, it was about how I had captured the light and shadows and the proportions of the face. At the end of this exercise I was told to compare my work with the original self portrait. I couldn’t believe how far I had come in three weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I had not become an accomplished artist over night but I had made some great steps forward.

The DVD’s were great to watch as they were set in a workshop and I felt like I was sitting in the class, but so glad I wasn’t when I was drawing those first portraits. The great advantage was, to be able to replay the DVD as many times as I wanted. No tutor would enjoy repeating themselves that often!

Every three weeks, I had to courier my work to The Learning Connexion in Wellington. As well as the exercises, I also had to keep a visual diary and a work log showing a minimum of 45 hours work every three weeks. Time was a big struggle for me. Although I had reduced my work hours to four days a week it was very difficult to balance study, work, family and some ‘me time’. Feedback also came on a DVD which was great. My mentor, Bevan, would point out areas of my work and talk about it so it was very easy to understand and I could replay it when I needed to, instead of thinking ‘what did he say about…?’.

It didn’t take many weeks for me to become a little despondent about not having the time to get to my sewing machine. I overcame this by sewing some sample ideas and when it came to the painting exercises, I did them on paper and repeated some on fabric. On seeing these, Bevan told me I could continue working more in fabric if I wished (IF I WISHED!!!) Many of the exercises are designed to help students decide which medium they want to work in, a decision I had made a long time ago!

Feedback was always a time I really enjoyed. I would shut myself in a room, sending the signal ‘do not disturb’ and watch the DVD. The thing which was really important for me was that I was receiving  guidance from a mentor with a degree in fine arts  whose interest in my work was about colour, depth, balance, proportion etc and not about whether the stitching was straight or the bindings had mitred corners. In other words, he was talking to me about the things I really needed to learn about. Bevan’s comments were encouraging with subtle challenges and suggestions, not telling me what to do but getting me to ask myself ‘what if………..?’.

As the year rolled on, I completed a few wall quilts and entered some of them into Quilt Aotearoa. To my astonishment I was awarded Best Innovative Wall Quilt (under 75cm). This was the first time I had won an award in this exhibition, even though I had entered most years. To add to the excitement of this win, the quilt also sold.

The year has been quite a journey for me. I have come out of it with more understanding, confidence and a hunger to learn more. I’m not afraid to pick up a pencil to jot down an idea or draw a motif for stencilling or appliquéing.  They’re not always perfect but now I draw my own instead of tracing someone else’s. I am more confident about selecting my colours and planning the use of them. I also believe my work is now starting to get the zing I was wanting.

I would like to thank NANZQ for their support in selecting me as the recipient of the 2009 NANZQ Award – this has played a big part in my journey.

Where to from here? – My husband and I are off overseas until mid February and when we return I will enroll to continue my journey.