Belated Happy New Year !
Mine has started off a bit stressful and panicky – but all self inflicted. Mostly to do with studio space…or lack of in my case.
Being on a low income at the moment, I absolutely cannot justify paying out for a studio space – especially if I’m not using it 24/7. I’ve managed so far using the spare room in my house – which is also a dumping ground, a bedroom for the occasional guest and a place where things mysteriously end up.
Its not ideal I know, but up til now hasn’t been a major problem.
My aim this year ( I won’t call it a resolution) is to get my work out there and not to just plod along as I usually do.
So my interest was sparked when I received an email about the open studio tour happening in summer, asking if I would like to apply.
My own space is not an option. I don’t particularly want people traipsing though the house and also I don’t live within walking distance of the other studio venues. People won’t travel , we know that.
A friend of mine, in the same position as me, opened up her house / cum studio space a few years ago for the tour and apart from nosey neighbours wanting to snoop round, she got very few visitors.
So, I’ve spent an enormous amount of time sending emails and posting on social media asking for help in finding a venue. Finally – just yesterday, I was offered a room . Its actually in the community space of the church where I had my last installation. There are at least 10 artists that I know of so far, who are in the immediate area, so that’s worked out really well.
Having got over that hurdle, I’ve now got to work on getting prints and cards made AND start a new website. So much work…. I just hope its worth the time and expense.
In other news, a bit of a disaster with my last painting. To save cash, I’ve heavily reworked old-ish canvases rather than use new ones. One was already in a frame, so . not being able to find my roll of masking tape ( hidden under the junk in my ‘studio’ ) I used what I think was gaffer tape to cover the frame to save getting splashed on.
All seemed fine until I tried the take the tape off. It was stuck fast. Although I managed to peel of sections of it, It left a nasty residue. I just couldn’t believe what I’d done !
I spent ages doing internet searches on how to remove adhesive, then spent a whole day rubbing it down with white vinegar, using a hairdryer ( that’s a good tip by the way) and lots of sandpaper. All this took of most of the original paintwork, so I could have left it unmasked after all.
My job today is to try to paint the frame without damaging my artwork.
Lessons learnt and all that….
