Inspired by Emily Speed and Annabel Tilley, here is my list of highs and lows to finish out the year – and thanks Annabel! You’re on my list too!
High Points:
My solo show Vif! It was a great experience and I learned many valuable lessons, one of the most important being, to meet the audience where they are and help them engage. I also learned to really value my ability to organize. It takes time, but the pay-off is worth every moment of attention to detail – with the added pay-off of reducing stress immensely. This link shows images from Vif! Scroll down to the September 1 entry:
http://www.jlbfineart.com/News.html
Joining Cor Blimey Arts and becoming an associate member of Core Gallery! That really gets and exclamation point. So many opportunities are opening up for me and I’m learning so much. I think I learn most by sharing my knowledge and skills and seeing them come back enlivened and vibrant by passing through the intelligence and sensitivity of others.
Writing my blog on a-n! All things are possible because the Artists Talking platform exists. It is an awesome experience to write one’s thoughts and have someone come in and comment in kind. My eternal gratitude and thanks go to a-n for creating the space in which to do this. Thanks to everyone who has read my blog this year, and a special thanks to everyone who has engaged in discussion with me.
Having a rather fulsome letter on taking responsibility for one’s own intetlligence printed in full in LETTERS in the October issue of a-n magazine.
Meeting many of my blog pals at the PV for Relay at Core Gallery! It was exhilarating and through that meeting many friendships have been cemented. This link is for more images of Relay on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54820085@N02/5249347717/in/photostream/#/photos/54820085@N02/5249347717/in/set-72157625445437959/
Being chosen ‘Choice Blog’ with Jo Moore in November! What an honour it was to be chosen by Sarah Rowles, a young woman who is succeeding greatly at forging her own path, and to be chosen in the company of Jo Moore, a young woman who sees her world with a keen sensitive eye. These links are for Q-Art, Sarah’s project, and Jo’s blog, What does it mean to be an artist:
www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/addP…
Producing lots of work this year! When I look back, I made:
10 paintings
26 works on paper
10 digital images
5 sculptures
1 work still in progress and under wraps…
Recognizing a shift was happening in my work and finding the inspiration to define it through a critique with Graham Crowley!
Annabel Tilley’s enthusiastic acceptance of my invitation to partner for Relay at Core Gallery! I think we both grew from that experience.
Having a really great interview with Chantelle Purcell! Her insightful questions brought up some interesting points for me to consider. http://coregalleryinterviews.blogspot.com/
Low Points:
Not being able to afford a plexi cover for a sterling silver sculpture for Vif! The work tarnished as a result.
Losing valuable gallery visiting time in London because I couldn’t navigate myself out of the neighborhood! (What an eegit!!)
Losing confidence in myself and my work for about a week because I went back to a past I cannot change and which is really no longer relevant.
To look forward to:
Curating! I’m really excited about the opportunity to curate a show with Rosalind Davis at Core Gallery this spring.
Giving a DIY workshop with Becky Hunter at Core Gallery in April! It’s going to be really great to work with Becky and it’s going to be great to develop another skill.
Developing new work! I want never to stand still repeating the same old things.
The unknown coming my way! Is it frightening? Yes. Will I flinch? No (at least I hope not!). Whatever comes I will grow and that is always good.
Wishing you all happiness in 2011!
