Has Summer Finished?
So, August has felt like it’s been quite a busy month. My Open Studio event at the start of the month went very well. It’s only the second one ever I have been in a position to do from my own actual studio; some of you may remember from a previous blog that there was no feline swingability in my previous studio.
The excitement and gratitude I am feeling does not seem to be wearing any thinner despite the passage of time. To elaborate a little, I had a visit from a lovely couple during the last Open Studio who had seen my FB post advertising the event. Mrs J had been given, by request, money for her 60th birthday to buy a piece of original art. She had been looking for 3 years without success.
Mrs J checked my page out and had already fallen in love with a piece before they arrived. The size did not fit the space it was intended to go into but there were 2 smaller pieces I’d only varnished and framed the day before which did fit. After some discussion I offered to take all 3 pieces for her to try out in situ. Well, you know where I’m going with this don’t you?
You’re right, she bought all 3 pieces!!! I don’t even have proper photos of the smaller pieces, they went so quickly. They looked so beautiful in the spaces. The large piece ended up pride of place in the lounge. It is an amazing feeling when someone falls in love with something you have put so much of yourself into.
There were other lovely moments too during the weekend with old friends and new dropping in. If you’re ever wondering as a creative whether to open your studio to the public I can highly recommend the experience. It can be hugely validating and if you’re lucky enough to have good footfall and can talk the legs off several donkeys you might love it as much as I do.
The rest of the month has been taken up with painting as I have some lovely gaps to fill before h.Art (Herefordshire Art Week/Open Studios) starts on 5th, ends on 13th September 11am - 5pm each day. I can’t even imagine how tiring that will be!
There are so many artists and crafts people to see during h.Art it’s well worth a visit if you’re up for it. You need to plan ahead as you’ll only manage sections in a day. Click on the links to see who and where the artists are.
I’ll have one day off before taking work for my solo show to Pale Kitchen And Arts in Ludlow. Dates are on website Home Page. If I’m lucky enough to have sold work at either of these events, November will be another bonkers month of painting ready for a solo exhibition at The Book and Cup in Malvern Library for the whole of December.
Presteign has it’s own Open Studio event each year so I spent last Sunday there meeting new artists and a few I already know. I spent money I really shouldn’t have but it feels sooo good buying other people’s art.
I bought 2 collograph pieces by Carolyn Black (@carolynblackuk) and a beautiful Raku fired bowl by Malcolm Turner (@malcopots) . Check them out on Insta if you fancy. Then there was a textile artist, Helly Powell @pleinairweaver who really inspired me and I fell in love with her @fauxidermy too. What a great day.
Hope to see some of you at h.Art next week.
Bye for now
Martine
xx