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.....
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.....
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