Ha …we don’t have to hand the horses back yet – this weekend has been cancelled – probably wisely – due to the appalling forecast.
I have to own to being a bit pleased – if sorry for those that had organised the weekend. The horses have been invited to Margate – to the Lone Twin Boat Project celebration when the boat docks on July 15th weekend. Definitely party time….we would have been sad to have missed that.
Strangely we have taken the project all around Kent during the year and its only now that it is getting the recognition- just as we have agreed to return the horses to their makers. Its been a slow burn.
Three days now before I have to put my exhibition up.
Typically I have finally got down to a work that has been perculating for a while. It showcases shoe soles that I beachcombed at Dungeness. I think they are very beautiful in their own right – and sad and silent.
They speak to me of journeys but their derelict state also speaks of abandonment or aloneness.
They have become a work called ‘I let go your hand’ about those early love relationships where inexperience rendered the journey too hard to complete, but that still haunt us in some way.
For once in my life I can say I really like the work. Usually it takes me a while to be sure.
Lets hope its a good omen.
It is still hosing it down out there. I am beginning to think I should be building an ark instead of sorting out my exhibition signage. I may be fiddling while Rome burns – so to speak.
Spent yesterday with the Farningham Hobby Horse Project at the Dickens Festival in Rochester; our last booked venue before they are returned to their makers next weekend.
A really great day out. We have been all over Kent with the project during the year and this was definitely party time – and probably our highest visitor numbers to date as well.
Why is it that one’s images never reflect that? We were in a stunning building, given a prestigious site and all our images look as though we were in a village hall….
Never mind. We met extrodinary people and Ros and I relaxed and had fun.
Now just to return the horses to the village who made them. Such awful weather forecasts…who knows what will happen. We will probably end up handing them out from the boots of two estate cars like so much landfill. Not the way I wanted the project to go out. We were hoping for a celebrarory ‘proud parent’ summer party on the horse fair meadow. Maybe.
Watch this space…
Work on the solo show rumbles on…I picked up my big piece from the framers today. Problem. It’s a three frame tryptich within an oak frame. The outer frame isn’t substantial enough so that it is twisting….
Why is nothing ever easy? If it was a canvas I would cross brace it, but there is nothing substantial enough to drill and fix to. So – back I will go with it and see if I can organise a heavier oak frame. Such a pain.
Partly my fault because I am inexperienced in frames; most of my work being 3D, and partly the framer I guess for not giving better advice.
Postcards have arrived. I am not sure what part they play today..I e-mail all my Private View invites with few exceptions – postage is so expensive. The Foundation running the gallery ask that their exhibiting artists pay towards the postcards and then give them 150. I shall be giving them back I think to be offered from there….seems utterly daft.
I now feel the need to do two more works…..why?!
Three weeks to go that’s why! Just to make sure my brain is well and truly fried.
Onward and upward for the Hastings show…which isn’t until September… but the organisational stuff seems guaranteed to get in the way of my June show! They seemed a long way apart when I agreed to do it.
I spent the day sizing images, finding sizes, wrestling with 150 words to represent myself, my work and my ethos in the catalogue.
Just the hardest job I think – statements of any sort.
Now I just have to work out how to upload them all in the group Dropbox…no obvious upload mechanism, but one of the group has achieved it – so it must be possible.
I will re- examine in the morning light; when my psyche is less inclined towards techno melt down.
Beginning to feel like my bus shelter ….
Glorious sunny day. Could feel myself unfolding in the warmth. Been miserable for far too long.
Trip down to Brighton to meet with a friend in Fabrica and then because Brighton now charges £4.00 an hour parking scarped to the marina where parking is free.
Here to see the Lone Twin project boat that our Farningham Hobby Horse Project donated one of our horses to earlier in the year..
Now part of their fabulous marquetry ….
Greg Wheelan – one of the Lone Twin artists was endlessly patient and chatty although he must be having much the same conversations with everyone on an hourly basis.
Childishly excited to see our donation photo and storyline in their beautifully produced book.
I am offering to volunteer for them when the boat docks at Margate where it will be out of the water on the Harbour Arm.
Think I may be a groupie………..
Yesterday spent wandering Hastings looking around the town with an eye to a venue for a metal Q Code – part of our guerilla campaign to raise awareness of our September ‘Telling Stories: Hastings’ show.
Found what I thought was a great place, but with some obvious ‘Can I put it here?’ problems and then felt the need to discuss it with the Arts Officer. What a nice guy – I just turned up at the Council Offices and he was really helpful.
That, and the sun and a fresh crab sandwich, Life felt good. Now I have to ask all sorts of permissions – but what will be will be.
A Telling Stories committee meeting in the evening – in a great new place; Franks Room [opposite Hastings station] – the Snug is a perfect place to hold an art meeting. Recommended.
Always amazing how much hard work goes into a show – the more people involved the more work……..seems it should be the inverse but it never is.
The issue of my not having a smart phone is coming to the fore again ………happy to be involved and learn but have no great yearning to embrace yet more time consuming technology. May yet have to give in! No app to read a QCode on my phone….and off to Brighton tomorrow wanting to see the new Fabrica telescopes – needing a Q Code reader….
Hmm…..
….and I joined Twitter today. More precious time….worth it? We will see.
