I have been putting together my first ever solo exhibition. "Local Letterboxes". This sounds exciting and it is, but I have this constant nagging voice at the back of my head saying things like : 1. "What if nobody comes to see it?" 2. "What if they do come and they don't like your paintings?" 3. "What if they do like them, make positive noises about them, but nobody buys anything?". The rational, sensible, scientific part of my brain can sometimes respond - but not usually at 4am - with something along the lines of : 1. "You have put up lots of posters, there's a piece about it in the local paper and you've been posting on Facebook and Twitter for weeks now - what more can you do?". 2. "If they don't like them, they will probably whizz round and then leave. They are not terribly likely to come up to you and say they think it's rubbish. They have not paid to view the exhibition. They will not be demanding their money back. Not everyone will like your paintings. Fact." 3. "Make the most of the feedback. Don't stress about selling - if you do, it will be obvious and probably put people off. It's more important that you're getting out there and showing the world (well, a small part of the world) what you do." All artists have to find a way of living with the fear of rejection. I have read about this on many artists' blogs; the above is simply a distillation of my thoughts on the subject. It is very simplified; there are plenty other things to worry about. But I intend to try and keep things in perspective and stick to these three. It's remembering the rational replies that's the tricky bit! My "Local Letterboxes" exhibition of watercolour paintings is on from 6th-11th August at the GALE centre in Gairloch, Wester Ross.
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I appear to be putting together a collection of paintings of letterboxes. I am not quite sure how the idea came to me - it was way back in January, I think, while staying on the west coast for New Year. Nearly all the letterboxes around Gairloch in Wester Ross have spectacular backdrops. I have learnt from various sources that landscapes are best painted with some feature in the foreground, whether it be a pair of mallard ducks, a rickety fence or a characterful tree. Having spotted several letterboxes in the vicinity of Gairloch during previous visits, they seemed to fit the bill rather snugly. On a bitterly cold January day, we drove around the area and I spent some time, in the rapidly disappearing daylight, taking photographs from various angles, of these rural relics. They may not be relics just quite yet, but it did make me start to wonder how long they will be there, how many pieces of mail pass through each one every year, and should I send myself something from each one?
The upshot of all this is that I will be holding an exhibition of these paintings at the relatively new GALE (Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum) Centre in Gairloch from 6th-11th August. You can have a sneaky preview of some of them in the paintings section. They will all be framed and for sale. So far, I'm nearly half way through production. So I'd better sign off here and get on with some painting! I spent this past weekend in beautiful Perthshire, with friends. It was supposed to be a hill-walking weekend – indeed they all went off and bagged four Munros. My fitness levels did not permit such strenuous activity, so I broached the lower reaches of the mountains with them – high enough to have a lovely view back down the valley, but not so high that my oxygen levels were compromised. I then took the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside, including a drive up the stunning Glen Lyon, through Bridge of Balgie and then down to the banks of Loch Tay. Some time was spent sketching and painting. Many photographs were also taken. I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful country and have promised myself I will get out and about to explore other areas as much as possible.
I was supposed to be painting for two hours in the studio at Oil and Glass yesterday, but ended up being there for more than three. It was a lovely space to work in; good light, good company and free access to tea and coffee. I had a few ideas in hand before I started, but decided on a favourite theme of dilapidation, corrugated iron and the west coast. The resulting watercolour painting is of a different view of an old croft which I have painted before. I always struggle to give titles to my paintings; called this one "Back Home", for various reasons. During my time in the studio, I was fortunate to meet with Rhian Johns and her mum, Iris. It was through meeting Iris that Shelagh Swanson of Oil and Glass decided to raise funds for Momentum Skills, as Rhian has found their support invaluable during her recovery from a brain injury in 2006. That recovery is still ongoing. They were having a go at glassmaking, constructing colourful coasters under Shelagh's tuition. Esther from the Evening Express joined them in their creativity; she admitted that it barely felt like work. It looked great fun - I can't wait to see how the finished articles look when they come out of the kiln. I'll just have to be patient until the 1st Birthday Party tomorrow evening to have a look. I think I may be tempted to sign up for a glass-making workshop at the studio before too long; it's my birthday in August, now there's a good idea for a present! "Back Home" Watercolour on paper. Unframed. 14" x 11". For Sale by auction.
Tomorrow I'm taking part in the "24 Hour Arty People" event at Oil and Glass in Torry. This is a charity event, being organised and led by Shelagh Swanson, the marvellous owner of Oil and Glass. The event aims to raise funds for Momentum, a charity which I am ashamed to say I had not heard about before. Having read a little about it, I am happy to be spending a couple of hours painting tomorrow in its support. I'm away to have a think about what I will paint tomorrow (I'll be there from about 2-4pm). I also need to gather my materials and stretch some paper in readiness. I'll be painting at my art class in Udny Green in the morning, so hoping my stamina will last out for two painting sessions in one day. Shelagh is bravely going to be creating throughout the 24 Hour period, I believe! It will be wonderful to see all the pieces that result from this creative marathon - (is this called a creatathon?). All the pieces created will be available to purchase by silent auction; photos of the items will be available to view on the Oil and Glass Facebook page and it will be possible to purchase up till 9.30pm on Saturday 25th May. It's also Oil and Glass's 1st Birthday on Saturday, so folk can come along and celebrate from 7pm onwards, view the pieces created and maybe even make an impulse purchase! Hope to see you there. I'm not very good at planning ahead. That's the truth. I tend to leave things until the last minute and then get in a flap and rush around doing things at great speed. Well, not great speed really, I don't seem to be able to do that any more.
So, this week I find myself trying to get organised for something that's happening later in the year. I find I'm having trouble focussing my attention on it, as it happens in September, which is a whole six months away. This seems like a long time, but I know from bitter experience that it is hardly any time at all. Especially when creating things is involved. The event I'm concerned with is North East Open Studios (NEOS) and this will be the the third year running that I will be a participant. In past years, it has been a week-long event in September, during which creative people open the doors of their studios, workshops, living rooms, village halls etc. to show the public what they do. This year, the event will run over a three week period, with the northeast (of Scotland) divided into three sections, which will be "open" sequentially. Accompanying the event is a catalogue of participants, which provides year-round information about all the wonderful creativity that's happening in this neck of the woods. What I need to to now is compose my entry for this year's catalogue. This involves writing some words about what I do (creatively) and deciding when I will be open during "NEOS week". I was keen to have a proper website up and running this year, having worked using Facebook, Twitter and a rather sparsely populated Blog in the past. And I have achieved that, by registering this very website for that purpose. Raise the flags! I'm off to make up some words about myself - a tricky task at the best of times. Here's part of last year's exhibition. |
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