Preston Hollow’s Women’s Club art critique group offers a space for women to develop their skills.
Photo courtesy Christine Odwesso/PHWC art critique group.
Raquel Cordón, originally from Spain, fell in love with a Texan and moved to the Lone Star State in 2000. After living in Austin for a few years, the couple relocated to Miami, but four years ago, they decided to come back and make a new home for themselves in Dallas. Cordón says the phrase “you can leave Texas, but you’ll always come back” rings true.
Moving to Dallas was initially intimidating for Cordón. Her kids are older, so it was harder to meet people, but soon after settling in, she learned about the Preston Hollow Women’s Club’s art critique group. Cordón has always been an artist. She earned her master’s degree in fine arts, but she still considers herself an amateur.
Cordón joined the PHWC’s art critique group two years ago and began leading the group this year. The club gets together at the beginning of every other month to present their art and receive feedback. Holding bimonthly meetings gives them time to develop their work, but paintings aren’t expected to be fully completed.
“Some are finished, some are halfway done,” Cordón says. “It’s helpful to critique them when they’re in different phases to help you figure out how you want to finish them. The ladies are amazing artists, so it’s great to be there.”
The meetings are usually around two hours to give each member time to receive substantial feedback. The group has 25 members and about six to eight people each gathering. Cordón says the group has helped her grow significantly as a painter.
“You never know everything,” Cordón says. “There are always people — even if they haven’t gone to university — I mean you don’t have to do fine arts to know, tons of people just learned by doing it.”
None of the group members are “professionals,” but they all have a passion for art. They nurture their passion through their personal practice and the art they see and experience in their daily lives. Cordón says at times she’s shocked by the other women’s perspectives. She can present a piece thinking it’s finished and hear feedback about ways it could be enhanced. She also loves the camaraderie between the women.
“We share something in common even though we come from different cultures and backgrounds,” Cordón says. “I can be surprised by the connection I have with them. Last time when we were talking about a piece, someone mentioned a museum she had been to with her family, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I had that same fact in my brain.’ We’re connected in ways that impress me.”
Cordón cherishes the women’s Southern hospitality and open-mindedness. The group has helped her release her fears and make her ideas a reality.
“Sometimes it’s easy to think, ‘I don’t know how I’m gonna do this! This is impossible, they’re going to laugh at what I’ve done,’” Cordón says. “But it’s not that kind of group. If you need help, we’ll give you the help you need. We share different techniques and materials.”
There is a new host at each meeting which gives women a chance to peek into one another’s studios.
”You not only see their art but also the art people collect in their houses,” Cordón says. “It’s kind of cool to see, because you can learn a lot about a person.”
Cordón says the best part of the group is the sense of community.
“It’s so good to have a space where you feel comfortable with women,” Cordón says. “Sharing different facts, different things happening in your life — sharing plans for the future and having the kind of warmth that I’ve received from the group — I have to say I really treasure it.”
