Graffiti

As a special post exhibition treat, one of my friends invited me to join a graffiti workshop class she was attending with the Maidenhead Ladies Circle. I can't resist trying out a new artistic method so I eagerly agreed. I have no experience of spray painting at all and was interested to see what the 'class' involved. It was a bit of a cheat experience really as they provided us with about a thousand stencils to help make our 'works of art' but that was fine by me. We still had to chose the pieces, compose, pick colours and spray intensely or otherwise, so there was still a lot of creativity involved. I actually loved it. Loved picking the colours, loved picking different stencils and effects and the fact that the spray colours go over everything, white over colour, anything over black. It didn't matter.

I think I might be addicted.

I can't help thinking about creating a piece using spray paint as the background and the trees, plants etc and acrylics as the building, or foreground. Metallic leaf thrown in as well, maybe on one of my massive canvasses. I can already feel the urge to buy some spray paints, a face mask and a boiler suit and clearing the garage in anticipation. Then I can take this first try out to a new dimension.

I definitely think this is going to happen. But first, a holiday (another one).

Exhibition

So, as promised, here are a couple of photos from my exhibition. The space is rather difficult to photograph, and was in fact, slightly difficult to hang. Thank goodness I had vaguely planned out my painting sizes and positions, as in the end, it meant I could display 18 paintings, which amounts to a pretty big show!

I am still at amazed at how well the paintings worked against this somewhat intimidating orange wall.

As you can see, not a conventional space.... it is also surprisingly difficult to stand out against brick walls....

Regardless of the success of the exhibition, so far one painting has sold and 2 are partially under offer, it has been interesting to see them all together and witness how they transformed the space. They definitely add a buzz and a vibrancy to the cafe that was previously lacking with their blank walls. I have also been assured that the footfall at the Quay Arts Centre, is pretty big, so even if the paintings aren't re-homed they will be seen. It is after-all, difficult to ignore them!

They are also up during the Easter Holidays and whilst Richard Long - a Turner Prize winner has an exhibition on upstairs. I don't really think that could have been timed much better!

Islanders

My exhibition is opening today which seems both surreal and exciting! I am glad everything is done and looking good, better than expected in fact. Now all that needs to happen is for you to go and see it!

It starts today and runs for just under two months, ending on June the 5th. It is being housed in the Quay Arts Centre in Newport on the Isle of Wight in the Gallery's rather lovely cafe - the perfect excuse to admire some art with a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

You can check out more details on my facebook page or on Eventbrite.

I really hope you can make it! I will also be sharing some photos of the display on here. But first, a holiday!

(Also a big shout out to my Mum and Dad for helping me set up and coming to collect my paintings from Maidenhead, and to Amy Mackelden for giving me a big kick up the backside to actually have a show).

Isle of Wight

I have been a bit absent recently, but with good cause as I have been painting some location specific works for my exhibition on the Isle of Wight. After my prints debacle, I gave up on the idea of buying in some stock and I am settling for showing originals at my upcoming exhibition only. I don't think this will be a problem - I am leaving behind lots of postcards and business cards, so hopefully people will contact me if they want a print, and then I can bypass the gallery commission fees and not have to fork out so much money upfront on the off chance that someone will buy something. As this is my first exhibition it doesn't really matter how successful it is. It has cost me no money to set up so I can't really lose. It would be good if I can manage to sell something though, and I am interested to see the kind of reception I receive! It is going to be an informative couple of months!  

I am currently in the process of having a late art night - I can't remember the last time I managed to have one - it has been rather an urgent state of affairs though as I realised my mobile website was rather out of date and not working properly. This is obviously totally unacceptable with a gallery showing coming up and lots of potential new customers and website hits. Ideally I wanted to have my new website up and running by now, but with the exhibition opening this coming Saturday there is no chance of this happening. I can at least stay up and make my mobile site work properly, if not look very attractive. So that is what I have done. Last thing left to do is to sign all the works that are being transported to the Island tomorrow and stick their respective authentication stickers on the back of each work. I also need to wrap up one work that has already been sold, before it has even been displayed (!!) as I shared it on Facebook.

All seems like good things are happening, even if they are happening a bit quickly and I feel a little unprepared!

I managed to finish off the last painting I needed to do yesterday, and it seems like a good one to finish of the set as it came out quite well. Say hello to Osborne House....

My exhibition is also on at the same time as Richard Long's - a Turner Prize winner (!!!) Seems like rather good company to have!