Kate Murdoch’s post on her 1st blogiversary, as Marion Michell called it, is lovely and affirming. It is simply wonderful to be acknowledged and it’s profoundly humbling to see people’s positive reaction to what you do and say. Thank you, Kate.
I was just talking with my husband, David, the other night about acknowledgement and the importance it has to an artist. We were discussing the selling of one’s art and I was explaining that for many artists it was an acknowledgement of what they were doing. It was a discussion of selling to the market and big name collectors, something which David abhors the thought of. He has often asked me if I would feel satisfied to have people appreciate my work for what it is. Of course the answer to that is YES!, but it’s a complex topic which carries a minefield of emotions for me, nonetheless. However, I have to admit, more and more, I look to what I can achieve beyond the limits of making sales.
I have my own one year anniversary to celebrate. It was one year ago this month the first artist invitations went out for This ‘Me’ of Mine. I remember the fear and trepidation of feeling certain no one would accept and the great joy I felt when every single invitation was accepted. I realize now I’ve gone through many tougher fears and disappointments in this past year with This ‘Me’ of Mine and I still have many to face. However, it has been the consistent support and encouragement from all the artists in This ‘Me’ of Mine which has sustained me through each phase of the project. So to follow Kate’s lead and in celebration of Thanksgiving Day in the USA, my sincere thanks to Aly Helyer, Edd Pearman, Darren Nixon, Hayley Harrison, Melanie Titmuss, Annabel Dover, Kate Murdoch, David Minton, Anthony Boswell, David Riley, Sandra Crisp, Sarah Hervey, Shireen Qureshi, Cathy Lomax, and Julie Cochburn who had to leave the project due to an extreme schedule of shows.
The venue partners who have chosen the project for their 2013 schedules have also given me great support and encouragement. My heartfelt thanks to A.P.T. Gallery, Strange Cargo/Georges House Gallery, Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery who has just accepted the project, and Colchester/Ipswich Museum. There was a point when I felt despair at the string of rejections I was receiving from venues and I thought the project would fail. I never dreamed I would have four venues, not to mention four venues of this calibre!
I also have a special thank you to say to Dr David Jones and Dr Aiden Gregg who will be symposium panellists along with Annabel Dover. To Dr Claire Hart and Dr Sylwia Cisek, who were unable to participate but who supported the project and gave generously of their time when help was needed most, and to Pierrick Senelaer editor of Art Pie who is a project media sponsor and has invited me to contribute articles directly related to This ‘Me’of Mine on Art Pie. A very warm thank you to Corrina Spencer, Helen Scalway, Gillian Powell and Alex Pearl who are on the outside of This ‘Me’ of Mine but who have given their help and advice with amazing generosity. AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO IS FOLLOWING THE PROJECT!
Finally, the most important thank you goes to my husband, David, who has supported me at every turn and has dried every tear of fear and anxiety.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
