Just finished the 5th Open Studios weekend at Harrington Mills. The atmosphere was different this year. In a good way. We were more relaxed. The opening was as busy and energetic as in previous years and we had a steady trickle of people over the weekend. There was a lot of interest in the studio spaces and the waiting list is growing again. As many of my paintings are in different exhibitons at the moment I concentrated on showing drawings. I am currently making a large drawing (120 x 120cm) with inks on stretched, primed paper which attracted a lot of attention. I loving making it. The process is quite organic – creating my own Boboli Garden with anthropomorhic beings populating the landscape. The concentration has to be Zen as I want the work to remain fresh and lively. Thats the plan.
My blog is slowly fading into the ether. I’m not sure thisis the best way to go. But the work of establishing the studios remains unfinished until the case is resolved. To date we are waiting for disclosure from the other side. Both parties have to disclose documents in relation to the case which the other side does not possess. For example, we have provided our correspondance to the council re planning. The Harrington Factory Company were supposed to give us a list of the documents over a month ago. They have missed two deadlines. By this stage they are also supposed to supply copies of documents too. We wait. On a lighter note we are looking forward to open studios. In particular we are proud to host a show by Chun Chun Hee and Mary Ellen Croteau from Art on Armitage, chicago. It’s been great catching up with the artists and they are enjoying the rolling countryside of Notts. We are holding a TAG sale this year sellling off old work at reduced prices. Hopefully we will make a happy chrsitmas for artists and buyers alike.
Started the day sortng out the house ready for the arrival of Mary Ellen, Midday spent at the Caunton Beck making the final arrangements for Jem’s parent’s diamond wedding celebration. An afternoon updating the website and emailing the open studio/Plastic World invites to the PV. Also answering other emails including sorting out work for a gallery in Lewes. I am now going to cut up a painting in the belief that some of the parts are better than the whole. I think.And always the case is ticking.
We are into new territory with the case – and facing an intense period of disclosure, witness statements of fact and expert’s opinion from now until the trial in February. I have deliberately held back from participating in projects, including some fun events in order to concentrate on the job. We are expecting a rough ride. This doesn’t feel like an artist’s blog and if my work wasn’t going so well at the moment, I probably wouldn’t feel like an artist.
