Feeling more like my old self again after the draining imprisonment of Dorset Art Weeks but with a new, reinvigorated attitude. So I got No97 done and dusted before lunch. I could have got it in the post for the early collection, but had another piece of work I was keen to get started on straightaway.
After a long day of Dorset Art Weeks and a late finish i find that I have committed to myself to a set of actions for the next month of this project. Of course I cannot say what it is or how it might affect the work I produce in that period.
Over that last few days I have been asked quite a few questions about #Letter365 and how I might distribute pieces to those who have bought unspecified dates. Also, in telling the story of the project people have commented that the envelopes have become part of the artwork. This has caused me to consider the display of envelopes in the final installation and I am now considering opening the envelopes by slitting three sides to open them so both front and back can be seen.
I am not saying if the contents are in fact the Mutus Liber, but today has been a more encouraging day for my Dorset Art Weeks ordeal. Today saw some people who were really interested in my work and I sold a couple more pictures and another #Letter365. Just a little less tired too and I’m aiming for an early night. Perhaps soon I will be able to do some work on my websites and do some drawing and painting.
After a slow and depressing day of Dorset Art Weeks inactivity, a draining on-edge preparedness, I was composing, in my head, how this posting might go. I was considering that I might have to write on the outside “DO NOT BUY THIS ONE”. But despite being very tired and low it turned out fine – well more than fine, I am really pleased with it. I hesitated about doing it because I knew it would take quite a time to do and it was already late but it paid off. So a more successful #Letter365 than the open studio day!
After nights of not enough sleep preparing for Dorset Art Weeks I am so tired. A quiet first day but sold the first #Letter365s and another piece. Sleep now!
There was a temptation to say “epic” instead of “on fire”. It’s interesting how advertising for a price comparison service (if that is what it is) can get through to a person like me who doesn’t have a television (or read newspapers much any more)!
Anyway, buoyed up by kind comments about my work and people parting with their money in exchange for me letting them take my work away permanently my confidence in my ability let me create something really very nice even though I am a bit stressed about all the things still left to do for opening our house tomorrow morning for Dorset Art Weeks.
I have been working all day on preparations for Dorset Art Weeks but don’t seem to have moved as far as I wanted. I have got most of my work in position now having picked up the last dozen or so pieces from the framers. They are the biggest ones – mostly the minimalist abstract drawings.
Loads to do still but I am feeling reasonably confident that I am mounting a pretty good show – whether I get the sales depends on getting the right people through. Fingers crossed!
Running close to the deadline tonight because I have been busy with preparations for Dorset Art weeks and was interrupted twice in the nicest possible way for an artist putting up an exhibition. First an artist friend and neighbour dropped in and bought a piece of my work. Then in the afternoon one of my private collectors called in by appointment because she was going to be away during Dorset Art Weeks. She bought 5 pieces and reserved another which she has only seen a photo of because it is at the framer’s still. So a very encouraging start but it has put me even farther behind! Ah well.
That excitement meant I didn’t start my #Letter365 piece till late and I have to say I was getting nervous about things drying (hint). But all is well and I got to the post box with loads of time to spare.
I thought I would make a change and have the envelope the other way up to usual (oh what a devil I am eh?) but now I wish I hadn’t seeing it with the other images. Never mind it’s all part of the process!
I love thunderstorms – especially if you can see lightning – and we have not had a decent one for a while, but I confess that I chickened out and continued with preparations for Dorset Art Weeks instead of picking up a brolly and dashing up the garden to the studio. Twice! So that is part of the reason I am so late posting both the #Letter365 piece and this blog entry.
Preparations for Dorset Art Weeks are progressing slower than hoped, but I did actually put up the #Collage365 wall of 20 nicely framed pieces from the #Collage365 project and have pretty much planned out where things will go – though with some pieces still at the framers there will inevitably be some shifting and jiggling before I am happy.
Well you have got to ask yourself, after yesterday’s mistake, if I would be so hopeless as to do it again or, knowing me a bit, think “he’s a tricky bugger, he’d do that intentional mistake thing!”
It was nice to do today’s piece. A little time of calm in a maelström of chaos getting ready for Dorset Art Weeks – though words like ready and prepared are no longer likely to have any similarity to the factual state of affairs. I have already decided there are quite a few things that won’t get done. But I picked up 29 framed pictures from the framers today so with the ones I already have and the ones that will be done over/after the weekend there will be something for people to buy!