Feedback from the sponsors re. the open studios : great night, a real buzz. But Friday PVs are difficult as the roads are jammed, people still in suits and folks are exhausted. Art was great, food was marvellous and wine was good. But Saturday would be even better! Tracey Eastham and Hayley Lock’s show drew a great reception too with interesting comments about the richness, humour, context and wit. … the other good thing about open studio events is catching up with other artists and lecturers. A couple of painters (who I respect but don’t really know )passed on some positive comments about my work – which makes me smile.
Open Studios is now closed. A fantastic turnout . The PV on Friday was full and food was wiped out. Well almost. A giant sponge provided by Jess wasn’t cut until 8 o’clock – so it was cake for Saturday lunch :) Thanks to Justine, an HMS artist who also runs the Long Eaton Extra we managed to target the locals. The sister mags in the neighbouring boroughs also obliged. It worked. Magaret and Stu, Bill and Vi all saw the article and so did plenty more. They didn’t ‘get’ my paintings but there was plenty more to see. Maybe next time… the more challenging work will be less scary!
Big Draw, huge success, great day! Last saturday was exhausting but sooo rewarding. You never know how many people will come to your party especially when the invitations were different this year. As money was tight we deicided a different approach. We would contact local schools directly and involve them from the start. 4 primary schools were asked to make work to project onto a screen on the big day at Southwell Minster. And what a giant screen! A theme of homes and portraits tied in with projects we had planned for everyone when they arrived. Me and Heather built a giant Noah’s Ark – 12ft x 12ft with room for any creature. Butterflies were popular. But so were giraffes, bats and hawks. Dads, grans and babies joined in. Concentration, Apparently the numbers were massively up this year – we lost count but well over a 1000. Today the ark was recycled but the experience will live on forever :)
Tracey and Hayley, the artists who are showing work in the HMS Exhibition Space during our open studio event, came to stay on saturday night. We talked til 1.30pm. After a quick tour of Southwell Minster we were at the studios for 11am when the 2 artists installed the show. What a priviledge! Exquisite. It reaches the soul. I can’t wait for the open studios. This year, despite the grim economic climate we have managed to find sponsorship from a firm of architects in Nottingham – Rayner Davies who will be bringing their clients.
Just back from the planet of NY. My first visit. City of culture, cash, cheese, contradictions – and a place to put my complex life into perspective. I should have left the mobile at home – a phonecall at 6am was an enquiry about a studio space. Only one glimpse at the emails revealing another query about setting up studios. This time from Glasgow. I didn’t open up all the emails – that would have been really sad ( even in the Big Apple).
