Today, I’m trying to build up some motivation to try to get back to work after a weekend off. Back to my own work that is, as I’m still on leave till Wednesday.
Despite getting caught with gangs of drunken football fans (Walsall vs. Tranmere match) on both the trip down to Wolverhampton AND on the return, it’s been a really nice weekend. I met my non artist friend Julie and we headed off to see the Ron Meuck at Wolverhampton Art gallery. It was a novelty for Julie to visit the gallery and she was excited about the work, which was a lovely, rare experience.
I don’t know if it’s an ‘artist’ thing, or the fact that we work in a gallery, which puts off some of my work colleagues ( and arty friends!) visiting exhibitions, but I do tend to end up going places on my own more often than not.
I went to the Bluecoat on my break last week (to see Portfolio NW) and asking if anyone would like to come with me, I was met with a stony silence. I sort of understand though. You get to read statements and see artwork everyday and after a while it all tends to become a little stale and pretentious (imo) You see the same things happening over and over again and the work is no longer challenging or exciting (sorry for the ‘challenging’ description, but its difficult not to fall into the art speak trap, even though I know its tosh )…. (at least I’m aware of it and try not to drift back into it when writing my own statements or talking about my work!)
So anyway… I briefly met fellow blogger Elena Thomas in Wolverhampton, as part of the Junction Arts Festival. It was nice to see her person and hopefully we will meet up again on future trips. Maybe we can arrange some bloggers gallery trips?
In the meantime though…………..another 50 paper hot air balloons need cutting out!
Another day, another exhibition
Well…. I’ve just been accepted for The Altrincham Arts Festival, which happens in October. It may not be as established or as ‘high profile’ as the Barnaby Festival just yet, but they are leading on filling empty shops and seem to have other events in the planning. It’s a good opportunity to get my work out there (for free!) Thank you a-n jobs and ops!
I must admit that I’ve never been to Altrincham and hadn’t really planned how to get my work there if accepted, but I’ll cross that bridge later.
I was slightly amused by the email which sort of apologised for the shops being ‘dusty’ or in need of a lick of paint. Oh believe me, I’ve been there, done that. It was only in March that I was crawling around on the cold, dusty floor of St John’s church in Leeds with my paper planes!
Although it sounds like I’m putting myself under more pressure to create work, it isn’t the case. I’m just showing my paper shoes installation again, so all I have to do is get there and set it up.
I have done a lot of work this week for the Chapel gallery exhibition, but only because I wanted to leave a few days for ‘me’ time. Fifty paper hot air balloons have now been cut out and are waiting to be assembled. There’s no way I could have allowed myself this free time otherwise… unless I contacted the gallery and said ‘ do you know that installation of 100 hot air balloons I promised – do you mind if it’s just 3 now?’ Hmmmm….. that’s an idea.
I’ve booked a trip down to Wolverhampton tomorrow to catch up with friends AND to see the Ron Meuck exhibition at Wolverhampton Art gallery.
Thank you ‘Red Spotted Hanky’ for the £10 voucher towards my train fair and Thank you ‘Metro Newspaper’ for the voucher in the week for the ‘In Style magazine’ ( with a free mascara!) I feel like the coupon queen this week :-)
