So another lockdown means the gallery is closed again, but gives me a chance to update on all those outstanding things like blogging! I can't believe that my last blog was before I moved to my beautiful new premises. I've also changed my Ginamagnoliaart cover image to the Lemon Sunshine image. It's with a tinge of sadness as the print is coming to the end of its series of 50. But hey, that means I've sold loads and that little pic I painted has done me proud. It won't be long until I change it again so I'm making the most of it. 

Hi followers!
Well we are in the throes of the effects of coronavirus! Today has been surprisingly busy in my gallery so hopefully we won't be too badly affected. There is certainly no chance of us going bust, but the artists themselves may suffer. If we do have to close temporarily I'll take the opportunity to do some decorating and of course create lots of new artwork!
I've been working on a new Clarice Cliff style to ring the changes and to keep pushing my boundaries. However I'll keep my other styles going as they are very popular.
If the virus does start to affect trade one can always buy via email and have work delivered by courier or by myself.
I hope you all keep well,
​Gina xx

It's shocking that when I looked back at my blog I saw that my last entry was 2 years ago. A significant time as then I was ready to sign a contract for the lease on my own gallery! So my time has been taken up with setting it up and looking after it. It is my main outlet for selling my artwork along with Cove Gallery in Weymouth and I'm lucky enough to have 4 other artists on board my project who also look after the gallery behind the counter. We all work on our artwork while we're there. It's my baby, I love it!! 

Oh what it is to be in demand!!

All of a sudden everything is kicking off! I have 8 pictures to do before mid February for Cove Gallery in Weymouth, and have just had another commission ordered. This is coinciding with a new project in Swanage that I am organising......details to follow soon. Such a good job I love what I do!!

As 2017 draws to a close, what have I achieved?
Firstly do artists measure achievement in terms of sales? For me, yes, this is one parameter. It's hard to admire your own work unless someone else says they like it, so a purchase is a verification of this.
I've had a boom year at Sansom Gallery in Swanage, selling more than I ever have before. I've found that my pointillism style is the quickest selling although it takes much longer to create!
I've also been selling well at Cove Gallery in Weymouth and am soon to start on a new collection for March 2018. I've also been invited to sell work at their sister gallery in Cheltenham and have 3 paintings there at the moment.
At Seasons Green in Corfe Castle I created a series of flower drawings, one for each month of the year, now nearly sold out.
Or is achievement in how your work develops........and has it developed for the better?
I've been focusing on Swanage Bay and the marine activity, creating far more complex, multicoloured pictures. I've been trying to merge the two styles (pointillism versus painted blocks of colour) so that my identity is stronger. So I have introduced some of each into every picture.
However I still feel the simplicity in terms of style and colour of the earlier pieces have a strength. They are more abstract too.
Or is achievement about self fulfilment?
I have more control over my work now, less prone to flying with my creative winds to the exclusion of anything else. The key has been in working at Sansom Gallery on my little fold up desk, meeting and greeting customers while I do so. Then home is for home (laptop work aside!).
Or is achievement about pleasure?
Yes I enjoy my art more now......more confidence has helped along with  the work/life balance trick.
I have exciting new plans for 2018 which I will be able to reveal after Christmas, so keep in touch xx

I'm thrilled to have put up a prints shop on this website. I would be very grateful for any comments on it, particularly how easy it is to navigate.
I've also increased my range of cards so that you can choose from all the print designs.
After a busy summer, particularly at Cove Gallery in Weymouth, I am working on some pieces inspired by my recent trip to Liverpool to see my son.

Exciting time of year - Purbeck and Dorset Art Weeks are upon us in one week! There is lots of new art to see in the galleries that I exhibit in, at Swanage, Corfe Castle, Upwey and Weymouth. I'm all ready for it - just waiting for the last pieces to be framed and to display the works in Sansom Gallery. If you are hoping to buy something then visit the galleries on Saturday 28th May as you will get first pick. The five parasols on Swanage Beach is already in demand but won't be released until Saturday morning. I will be in Sansom Gallery most of the time, but also at Gallery on the Wey in Upwey on Saturday June 4th.

I see that it is one year since I last blogged. I learnt at a workshop run by Purbeck Art Weeks today that it is important to keep posting so here goes.
One year ago I had just started exhibiting in Chris Sansom's gallery in Swanage. I am still there and have had some really good sales. The best weeks were Purbeck Art Weeks where I sold 30 framed pictures and Carnival week when I sold 10 originals.
In May of last year Seasons Green in Corfe Castle opened and my 4 seasons at Corfe Castle pictures were launched. One year on I have sold all 4 originals and many prints and Sophie has asked me to produce 4 seasons at Durdle Door.
The prints and cards at Wareham Tourist information centre have been slow - not sure if the outlet attracts people interested in art.
I approached Gallery on the Wey in Weymouth before Christmas as I was brought up just down the road and happily was accepted. They used my pictures on their facebook page and in a local Upwey magazine. Unfortunately the 2 originals didn't sell although prints have done. James Kerr suggested trying the Cove Gallery at Brewer's Quay on Weymouth's harbour. They loved them and they sold before they were even hung to a collector from Portland. I've now put 2 originals of St. Catherine's Chapel in Gallery on the Wey instead. The Cove however want me to paint 4-6 pictures for an Easter launch so I'm busy busy busy especially as Dorset and Purbeck Art Weeks are fast approaching.
My inspiration at the moment stems from 2 things. The style is from my old sketch book where I recorded all my ideas. The sea which I draw in big waves with fish, shells, bubbles and pebbles came about when I was on an outdoor painting session with my art club 2 years ago. I liked the patterns and shapes in the sand and waves, simplified them and filled them with motives relevant to the sea. The subject matter of my current work is exciting as Weymouth has generated new ideas after having studied Purbeck so intensely over the last 2 years.
Mood wise I have been very anxious which makes it difficult to relax and get stuck in to a new piece. Once I get going I'm usually OK. Deadlines are a bit anxiety provoking but it is the generation of ideas which is the most difficult bit and once I've written down ideas and some sketches it's much easier.
Plans at the moment are to focus on the immediate future of getting art ready for PAWs and DAWs and the Cove Gallery launch. This will be about 10 pictures which is easily achieveable by May. At the moment I am producing 2-3 per week. But it does get tiring so I have to be careful to plan breaks
Long term I have two aims - one is to make it into a gallery cafe in Stafford that I used to frequent. They sell nationally known commercial art. Secondly I want to earn more than my NHS pension so that I will be a professional artist. To achieve these I need to perfect my technique - I think I'm fairly strong on ideas.
I'd really like to study art in some way to improve my skills and techniques. However I don't want to study a too generalised course.
Well that's all for now - I've really enjoyed wring this and it has made me relax. Now to read my last blog.....