I’ve had a weekend in London, with fellow blogger Kate Murdoch, at the Deptford X art festival. She had her 10 x 10 project open for business at the Arthub Studios and Gallery where she has her studio.
It was great to sit alongside her, and her work, and be in her studio for a while. We talked about the plight of artists, constantly being chased by developers. This is of course worse in London than it is in the Midlands, where land and property is at a premium, and waterside properties like Arthub are not going to be left to artists alone for very long.
Most of all it was really good to meet artists new to me, and talk about our practices together, and our experiences of studios, galleries, competitions, fees, and funding: widening the network, through mutual friendship and shared experiences.
So I come back to my own carpeted, warm studio with its big window, a private, personal space in which I can work whenever and however I want. I have room for a large table that I can sit about six people round, drink tea, eat biscuits, make work, deliver workshops… and I see myself as very fortunate indeed to be able to work in this space.
This afternoon… late to start after a long and chatty lunch with another artist friend Louise Blakeway (Instagram @LouBlakeway )… I start drawing at about 3:30. Then at about 4:30 I remember I was supposed to buy some fresh veg for dinner. I have to leave, to get to the supermarket before Sunday closing. But actually for the first time in ages I felt I could have stayed there drawing for another three hours at least. I’m half way-ish through a large drawing and it is at the stage where I am really unsure if it is working. I don’t like to leave it unresolved, but I must.
I have a longer time to spend there on Monday and Tuesday, so I have to just let it go till then.
So… this weekend I am grateful for my community, my space, and my ability to work. Next time I start moaning I should remember this!
