Setting up 18 studios, Long Eaton, Nottingham

Just returned from a long weekend at my sister’s shiny new home in south Devon. I’ve been planning to go since September, but with open studios, The Case and bronchitis it has been difficult to find a weekend which suited everyone. One of the highlights involved test driving my brother-in-laws’s motorised inflatable dinghy. It provided many belly laughs, though I’m not sure the local fishermen were quite so amused when we lifted their lines to avoid a crash. It’s a totally different world to mine and great interlude at a busy time. We always anticipate a letter from the solicitors on our return. And there was. Nothing too worrying, but I will be pleased when it’s just junk mail or the odd utility bill in the post. We are warming up for Martin Lewis’ preview on sunday. David has filmed Martin at work and interviewed him too. See http://gallery.me.com/profdavid_manley#100052 Fantastic!

It is five years since I was researching studios. I was given some sound advise from studio managers in Leeds, Nottingham and Southwell Artspace. I was told to ensure the structure and paperwork was in place from the start.. This is definitely something I would stress to anyone setting up studios today. HMS used the Southwell Artpsace license as a template (provided by the Arts Council). Solicitors from the other side have just asked for copies of all artist’s licenses and not just an example of one. The tickets are booked for Korea. I am hoping to exhibit 2 big ink drawings in the show ‘The Darkness of Light”. Sooky is curating so ultimately she will determine if it fits in with the other pieces.