First Tutorial with Linden

I was not quite sure what to expect for my first tutorial.  I had gone through last week's notes, and sent some initial thoughts to Linden about my stance on how UK society recognises and attributes value to specific groups.  I expected the tute to be theory based.  The tute did not go quite the way I expected.

Linden picked up on the fact that Recognition and Integrity are important to me.  I showed her my Dr Johnson's House sampler and she was very impressed with it.  (Which surprised me a bit).  Linden appreciates textile work and hand stitch, and liked the sampler the way it was (including strawberry stain!).  We discussed how Dr Johnson's quote (from a man with Tourette's) respects a woman's skills. A good choice of quote.  We discussed the language that indicates it is respectful (use of 'and') rather than disrespectful (use of 'but').  I was also mildly told off!  Linden noted I had not signed my sampler with my name - not done because it was about Elizabeth Carter and Dr Johnson, but I agreed I could have signed it on the back of the hem, thereby crediting me as the female artist (putting my money where my mouth is!)

I have been advised to consider creating portraits of unknown women and create a rule set for what I want to represent.  Any textile technique - although I like hand stitch.  I don't want to be a machine operator.  Linden said she would like to see feisty embroideries by me!  Snippets of the mind.  She recommended looking at Mary Queen of Scots - use of stitch to make controversial political statements. I showed my exhibition book entry of Oxburgh Hall.  Linden also recommended going to Hardwick Hall to see more Mary Queen of Scots embroideries.  Also recommended going to the Needle Museum in Redditch to see the equipment used by generations of women.

What sort of memorial would I stitch?
What sort of representation is it to be?
Meaningful quotes about women.
Women significant to me:  Pat Konieczny; Ann Evans; Miss Evans

I told Linden the stories about my friends' mothers, and my headmistress.  Linden suggested an image of me swimming to fit with the story about Ann Evans.  Think about all sorts of stitch and technique.  Think about the big and little life actions that gain my respect.  Look at banners and suffrage.

Identify items in series.
Identify rules for selection for each group I compile
Identify rules for presentation of materials.
Look out for Huguenot women; migrant peoples; women heroines - UK and mine.
Identify which women I would like to work with.
Create proposals for a series of work about 6 women - significant to me.
Do free association writing about big and small accomplishments of women.

By 2 November 2015, 1400, next tute.

After the tute:

I need to talk to my friends to get their permission to use their Mum as a case study for my class.  What I want to do is respectful and celebratory but I should still seek permission.  Also, they might give me some great quotes of their Mum.