I'd like to start a monthly Zoom hour, starting November. A free for all miniature painting hour where we come together to all chat about a topic that arises from this forum, eg..... well you tell me, what's on your mind? It could be something practical eg paper preparation, something art historical eg studying a particular piece, something philosophical eg a question of style, or... and I really want to do this... chat about My Name is Red, Orhan Pamuk, like a book club*... or physical or theoretical or emotional eg what does it mean to be an artist.. whatever!
I think it makes sense to limit the hour to 1 topic only rather than 2 as stuff will come up and we can address that during the session. It could be structured like a seminar or more informal and you just bring stuff to the table.
*having never ever been to an actual book club, I am open to suggestions. I imagine a really nice room lined with books floor to ceiling, Borgesian library dream heaven, and a quiet, rarefied atmosphere where I would feel ever so slightly out of place having yes read the book but being an introvert not quite ready to voice my opinions in the company of intellectual titans** so deciding instead to sit next to the cookies. Ooooh... cookies. Can't provide that online but my ideal book club/salon (definitely more comfortable with salon = artists!) would also have tea (provided by me, I have an amazing collection) and cake (provided by you, the other people). Artists are always more comfortable around food (speak for myself) and in post Covid real life I'd like to have miniature painting food themed dinners too. Brains need food.
**this online book club of mine will not accept snobbery of any sort btw. A person's a person, no matter how small (Dr Seuss) and no question is stupid at all. So roll up, I'll provide the professional Zoom account, you come armed having read the book/chapter and we'll talk, informally and peacefully and happily about miniature painting as described by Orhan Pamuk in My Name is Red to start and then... I welcome your thoughts! And your schedules - what kind of days/times suit you?
Dear Pranav,
So glad you like it and this has actually passed - the link is in the post 'Free Monthly Miniature Meetings' - this thread is just for ideas for the same. Hope you can attend in future - the next one is on Feb 17, 2021 and I've also posted the schedule and Zoom link in that main thread! Hope to see you online soon!
Kindest regards
Vaishali
Dear Vaishali, I like the plan of reading the first chapter of My Name is Red. I haven't been able to attend previous meetings. But I think I'll be able to attend the Jan 20th meeting. Will I need to register for this get-together? Could you please share the Zoom link/invite for Jan 20th meeting? I eagerly look forward to attending this Book Club. Thanks so much for organizing this get-together! Warmly, Pranav
Looking forward!!!!!! Thank you so very much for arranging this treat for us all!!!
Yep - Chapter 1 this month, Jan 20th!
Happy new year, Alison; I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!
I love this idea!!! A chapter a month makes for good slow reading. Would it be chapter One this month? I am sad but had to miss last meeting so may have missed the information!
Structure of Book Club - like a 'Club-in-club', a little mini-section of our Monthly Miniature Meets... My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk has 59 chapters so if we do a chapter a month, that'll keep us going for a while... any thoughts? And is very feasible and doable as chapters are short and so are our meetings. Doing a chapter a meeting, slowly progressing through the book at a slow human pace I like - there's enough in here to unpack and I think this is feasible! So this meeting-within-a-meeting could focus on that one chapter and then we can focus on someone's work or more broadly about miniatures...
Sample Monthly Miniature Meeting structure:
To start, 20 mins discuss one chapter of My Name is Red which should open up some more broad questions/discussions.
Focus on somebody's work, one individual to show their work and everyone give feedback, comments, thoughts, suggestions, like a crit in art school, with respect (to be pre-arranged beforehand) 20 mins
Broad questions and discussions 20 mins
Feedback on this structure welcome! Let me know your thoughts! And, anyone up for sharing their work on 20.1.21, 6-7pm? (sorry, can't make the 19th this time)
It was just perfect! So good to meet everyone and so looking forward to the next one!!!
I will create individual events on Eventbrite and then should be easy like joining Carpet Pages. Sorry about that!
Hi: Eventbrite is not letting me sign into the event, I don't know what's wrong.....is there another way to join? I got a ticket well in advance.
I lived in Texas for ages and they use that wonderfully inclusive phrase there too!!! Thank y'all!!!!
Also, another thing - thank YOU all, too (y'all!) (2nd person plural that exists in New Orleans and I wish would be extended to global English, it's so useful!) - YOU are the community so wouldn't exist without you. So we are all the birds.
It's been my dream to have an artist's community anchored in the vision of the birds..... Thank you Vaishali for your work building spaces for the manifestation of our collective dreams.
from "Conference of the Birds" as drawn by Peter Sis:
I look forward to seeing you all online! Please let me know if any glitches during the sign up process for the free tickets. I set up a recurring MMM for the 3rd Tuesday of the month (suitably random date in the middle of the month)
(Middle Monthly Miniature Meeting MMMM)
(apologies if it's anyone's birthday!)
And here is the Eventbrite link to the Monthly Miniature Meeting MMM!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-monthly-zoom-hour-miniature-painting-forum-the-conference-of-the-birds-tickets-128753117039
I shall not wear a golden crown because one of those I do not own
I shall not lay my brushes down because I do like them when I'm at home.... ;-)
Happy Halloween everyone, hope to see you at Carpet Pages at one event perhaps, and also see you at this!
On my calendar! I shall wear my golden frock...
In the diary for Tuesday 17 Nov, 6-7pm GMT then - I will make an Eventbrite link and share it shortly (after Carpet Pages III: Pixels opens). It's open to the public and since my Carpet Pages III: Pixels show will have had 2 online public private view (?!!) opening nights by then, I will, erm, know what I am doing Zoom-wise then (maybe) (tips and experience very welcome)
OK folks - please vote for best date/time that suits you: https://strawpoll.com/7fgf2vos1
(That was the first poll I have ever created!)
Morning times in US as I start work at 15:30 GMT. So anytime before teatime in U.K (and in fact that would be lovely....monthly tea and discussion with Vaishali and all of you lovelies?). im also off work on weds and thurs and have a lot of flexibility on those days....
Yes yes to book club!!! Have been reading my name is red at breakfast, such a thrilling way to start the day.