The local visual arts organisation, firstsite – soon to have an amazing new space which they are careful not to call a ‘gallery’ (!) – has set up a Collectors’ Group, who came to visit me a few days ago. I showed them some work, and took them into the studio, and talked about my work, and they seemed to go off quite content. In fact, they went off to have lunch at Jardine bistro, where I have work on show at the moment, so hopefully they felt that all fitted in well. It’s odd not having feedback though.
I’m funny about talking about my work. Friends tease me because I’m usually deeply reluctant to do it. But sometimes, if I sense a genuinely interested audience, and I’m geared up to talk, and the environment is calm and quiet enough so it’s not a strain to be heard, in the end I find loads to say. But I always want to emphasise that painting is painting, a different language from speech, and words can never be adequate to express what is communicated in a painting. Words can sometimes help as signposts, though, I suppose, to help guide people towards a deeper understanding of what the painting is saying.
