Test, learn, lists and repeat

Got a response to the second art show I applied for. Not accepted right now but I’m on the waiting list. Totally fine with that. It’s a very popular venue so waiting list is a good result for a newbie. It also means I can really focus on the September show, and should things change with the other one, I’ll be all prepped up and ready to exhibit as that isn’t until October. So, on with things. The make-shift storage/table I bought has been tested and it’s dead easy to put up and should look pretty nice.

Been playing around with some paint effects and trying some more acrylic pours. Not really getting the consistency right and the stuff for creating cells isn’t working, but that may be the paint being too thin? Anyway, I had the idea of building a dance piece around either the pour itself or the skins which result from drips and general left over paint blobs. Neither really worked out so well but I think it might be better to just start with some skins and see what I can make from them rather than begin with a shape and try to make the skins fit in some way. Worth a shot anyway.

I haven't given up on sculpture - I have stuff in my head ready to go, it's just I'm in experimental status for 2D stuff right now, which can potentially form a basis for a greater range of work.

I really need to take some time to improve the website. The galleries need a complete sort out but I get so frustrated at how slow the site is, and it does have meltdowns if you do one change too many at a time then refuses to save and close down when I need to be leaving for work!

This last week, including bank holiday weekend, has been about fixing up my live/work space (again) to create a draw/paint area and separate sculpting area. Also, doing a step by step of everything needed for the website, the art fair, setting up Instagram and the print place (I'd like to have prints available to link too. Ah, add in a Shopify account for that). Who knew setting up images was sooo technical? And a tiny bit impossible with a 14 year old laptop and no space/computing power for anything Photoshoppy/Gimp-ish.

And gardening. A great counterpoint to sitting inside with paint and canvas, even if it makes my hamstrings ache and takes days to get my nails clean again (cos sticking your hands in the soil feels good). The house where I rent space has quite a big garden but the main focus for the owners is a substantial kitchen garden. Which means some neglected borders…which I volunteered to plant up with some starter shrubs, herbaceous perennials and some seed scattering. I love a bargain so scouted out all the local nurseries and got some great deals, and have really enjoyed putting stuff in the ground. This summer they’ll get comfortable and next year should see some good growth.

Another bonus now the weather is better, is that, being in the roof space and facing roughly north, I can look out the window to the left and watch some knock out sunsets every evening. Or watch planes taking off from or flying into Heathrow. I also get cracking good views of all the firework displays right over to south London. Great views and staying warm as well. Can't beat that. While I still have a pile of goals to work towards in my life, right now, things are pretty good and I'm really fortunate to have a great place to live.