I went, I met, she was called Edwina and yes she was absolutely fabulous!

I was brave and met with my business account manager. She seemed very nice and helpful. I think I might even have virtually signed her up for a day workshop. Every penny counts. I get a big cheque book too, the bigger the cheque the further they bounce! She said that I should think about putting some money in there today. I said not bloomin' likely, I have got to juggle like a member of a juggling act at a really good circus, in order for that to happen.
My till arrived today so I'm going to take that down to the gallery tomorrow and pretend to be a shopkeeper. I vaguely remember having plastic money as a child I'm not sure about the till though. I know that if I was the Bank in Monopoly there would be some very illegal withdrawals to supplement my income. For me the best bit about that game were the little metal objects you could choose to be. I will not actually play Monopoly as an adult as I hate dealing with money in reality why would I want to deal with it for fun? I also think buying hotels and houses is far too materialistic for me. Give me Cranium or Pictionary and I will play along like a good girl.
A day of admin surely must be followed by a day with paintbrush in hand. So decreed the Overmaster! I have all the little niggly jobs to get finished. I also need to do another big dust down. Matt needs to angle grind all the heads off my shop front as I need them flat for my sign. Which I have also managed to organise today. It will be fitted next week.
That's all I can think of for now so I'll be back tomorrow.

Fear And Loathing @ The Bank

I could have shrunk the image but you need to get the full effect. I have my first meeting with the bank in 30 minutes. I have managed to keep my distance from them up until this point. But apparently there are things called 'business accounts' that I need. I'm worried because I fear that there are all sorts of questions that I haven't even thought about yet that they are going to ask me. Business plans that I haven't written down in any formal way.
Oh money it is the paper that rules my very existence. That just seems wrong on so many levels. Different coloured papers with pictures of royalty on that I don't even really respect or have time for. I have more respect for the celebrated famous folk who appear on it. I'm sure I am not alone.
The bureaucracy begins here, do not collect £200, do not pass go. Failure to plan is planning to fail. I love that quote.
Well I hope that it all goes well. My light bulbs have arrived so it's just all the rest of it that needs to turn up.
I'm going to try and sort out my sign this afternoon.
I hope that if you have snow that you are somewhere warm looking out at it and not having battle with it. It's actually a bit warmer here today but I have heard rumours of snow ten miles away so anything is possible.
I'll be back later to tell you how I feared (sic) at the Bank!

Let There Be Light!

I managed it... I think that I have successfully ordered my lights. You may be reading this and thinking, 'what's the big deal?'. It is a mine field! Buying from trade websites is not the most straightforward thing I have ever done. There are product codes, pdf catalogues and price lists. VAT added and not added. I might of mentioned it once or twice before, but maths is not my thing. I get metres mixed up with feet and inches with centimetres. My friend Tara says that I should have taken the maths lessons that she used to teach my students. I think I'm an artist and all that calculating goes against the creative grain.
I've been to the gallery and checked on my dehumidifier, it had managed to extract 7 litres of water from the atmosphere in 2 days. I knew it was damp in there.
I have got the mock ups of my sign designs back and I have to say that I'm not convinced. I think they look lazy and not quite as classy I would like them to. I think I might have to try somewhere else.
I am half tempted to paint my own after all I am an artist and the logo is my own writing.
Cast the net a bit wider than Swanage, as it seems to be cheaper and better out of town. I have to say that I think that this is a shame as I would love to support any local businesses. Especially as I am about to become one. But it's also the fact that I am going to be running a business which is making me be more choosy.
I hope to meet up with some artists tomorrow and get their work this is the exciting bit.

The Big Chill!

I have spent the last two days wondering about how it is possible for the temperature to drop so radically. I have not found an answer, so suffice to say I have just decided to wear thermal underwear and plenty of layers.
I had a great time at my glass jewellery class on Saturday, I would like to thank Richard and Eleanor at Rainbow Glass Studios for another day well spent.
I was honing my skills to ensure that I would be able to deliver glass jewellery workshops in my own studio. I think I am there.
Spent yesterday at Camden Market trying not to buy 101 t-shirts. There were so many cool ones that I had to draw the line at 2. Bearing it was -2 and the thought of wearing a t-shirt seems ludicrous. Anyone looking for that unique Christmas present should definitely check Camden out. It is full of creative ideas.
My dehumidifier has been doing the business and the shop seems to be damp free. I'm putting off going down there as it is freezing and I know that as there has been no heating on the temperature will be frigid.
I had my missions set for today and it would seem that I have fallen at the first hurdle. I have to stop asking my friends to look after my stuff for me. Especially, because it's largely due to the fact that I hate carrying bags. So now I come to order my lights and the other bits and pieces that I need, I am without the means to pay for it. Doh!!
Why aren't all companies using Paypal? I could pay using that, but apparently it's still largely eBay that use that method of payment.

Money, Money, Money!

Spending piles of cash seems to be what I am doing this week. It is all about buying stuff, and today it's lights. The lovely Dan March came to see me yesterday and he told me about the halogen versus led lights situation. Apparently, led lights are all about the initial outlay (huge) being recouped in smaller electricity bills.
So I bought some this morning and now I need to buy the lights for them to fit in. All my details that Dan gave me are at the gallery and I'm still at home.
I am heading to London later as I am doing a glass jewellery course in Stoke Newington @ Rainbow Glass Studio. I am really looking forward to it, I've done it before so I know what I am letting myself in for and I can't wait.
I wont be posting another blog until Sunday as doing it on my phone is very tedious and I really wont be doing anything gallery related. Not strictly true as the workshop I'm doing is one that I intend to teach at my studio. I'm trying to make sure I know enough to actually deliver it.
I hope you enjoy your weekend, and that it isn't too cold where you live because it's freezing where I live and the sun is actually out!

Daydream Believer

Ok so I spent the best part of this morning dealing with words. I have been designing my invitations and also the labels for the artwork. It's not that I hate doing this kind of thing it's more that I would normally do these kind of things freehand. So using technology causes me a headache as it seldom does what I feel it should. I want it to understand exactly what I want by osmosis through my fingertips into the keyboard. I want it to intuitively know what I'm thinking and preempt my every wish and need. But alas this is not the case. I am clunky and lack the grace and skill of a seasoned designer. I am however, persevering and I am fairly happy with the results. Now I have to get them printed onto something that isn't paper.
I have had some positive feedback about the website, so it would seem that things are finally heading in the right direction. For every 5 things that I do at least 3 of them end up not quite how I imagined or planned. Those odds are hard when you are borderline OCD with perfectionist tendencies. Apparently Pisceans, which I am, often suffer from unrealistic ideas and suffer disproportionate amounts of disappointment when their unrealistic ideas fail to meet expectations.
I am the original 'Daydream Believer', I think that I am ultimately happier this way.
Writing my blog was a welcome distraction from what I actually need to get on with so I best get on with my 'choredom'.

Do You Want To See My Website?

I'm glad that I have got something to be happy about and not continuously moan about. My website is finished!!! Hooray!!! It looks great and Neil Stevens @ Deshok has done himself proud and me too. I hope that you will all take a look and let me know what you think.
There will be more pages added as I get the whole thing off the ground. I have written all the blurb it's just about having the cash to add more pages. I am totally speculating to accumulate, I'm really looking forward to the accumulating bit.
Here's what you have all been waiting for www.lartishe.co.uk

I have continued to battle on to try and buy my lights but as it's another big wedge of cash I'm going to get some expert advice in the form of Dan March, my electrician.
So I'm hoping that tomorrow will actually be the day I order my lights. Then all I'm waiting for is the sign then it's all systems go.
Please have a look at the website and give me some feedback as it is a work in progress for the next little while.
Thanks.

If At First You Don't Succeed........

Working from home is all well and good, but it should be called spending from home in my case. How do you know what a good till is? How much does the average till cost? Why oh why can I not buy my lights? How is it only 11.00 and I'm slightly yearning for my paintbrush. Life does seen much simpler when your only goal is change the colour of something via the medium of paint. I need to sort out my host forwarding too, which as you can imagine I'm totally au fait with, if au fait means haven't got a clue. Then I'm totally au fait!
All I know is that there is at least one person/animal who is glad that I am working at home. That would be my cat Barney who is currently sleeping on my left arm. It is making typing a little more taxing than usual but hey that seems to be the theme for the day.
I want to buy skulls as I have produced a whole load of work based on them. I am currently watching two on eBay but they cost as much as a new till. I think the till should be me my priority. I'm not sure I like not being able to spend money frivolously. Oh yeah, that was when I was working and actually had an income.

The Ghost of Gloss Paint Past

Today was definitely more successful than yesterday! I actually got tangible things finished. It makes such a difference when you can actually see the fruits of your labours. I painted the front windows in the freezing cold, my hands were numb and they did not get properly de-numbed until I came home for five minutes and the heating was on.
Today I had the pleasure of Matts company and he made the stupendous 3D display table that you see in the picture. It was not at all what we had planned but when you've got two creative people in room, one with way more practical skills than the other I hasten to add. Stuff happens, In this instance it's a gloriously reclaimed display table/shelf. I love it. It is completely made from stuff that has been sat around since I dismantled what used to be the bike shop. I feel like I've short changed Matt as I didn't take a picture of my three tier drying rack that he also managed to knock up in no time at all. Sorry Matt.
I was too seduced by my new display structure.
I have to tell you about the reason that my blog has the title it does. Since I have been doing the renovations I  have obviously been painting quite a bit. I have now found that I am being haunted by a paint smell. I will be sat watching the television and my nostrils will fill with the smell of paint. It is weird, it's like someone has wafted the tin of paint under my nose. It is rubbish as it's not a smell that is particularly like. I'm thinking if I had to do it all over again I'll do something that smells much nicer. A Perfume Shop? A Bakery? Maybe a Sweet Shop, all my sweet toothed friends would love it.
Neil Stevens@Deshok.com has done a marvellous job of my website and I have also signed up two more fantastic artists. All in all a good days work.
I also bought all my hanging rails today! Ouch!! It's just spend, spend, spend.
Tomorrow is an admin day as I have just a little bit to do. But I get to do it from the warmth of my home which is brilliant.

How long is too long?

We are constantly being told that Britain is still in the grips of recession. Businesses are failing daily and debt is creeping up. So why is it when I phone companies to ask about products that I need at 9.30 am, I am told the person who can help me is busy on the other line, can they take my number and they will get whoever it is to ring me back asap, and then they don't. I waited, and then waited and then waited some more. By 12.30 I gave up and have now decided that they will not be getting my business. 

Whilst I'm on my moaning soap box, what is it with companies that sell you stuff on the Internet but the truth is that they do not actually have the goods. They take your money and then fail to deliver, saying that there are problems with the importation of the goods. I mean really. 

That's it rant over!

I had a morning of mixed success as I made several phone calls with very little outcome. I have sent numerous emails with no replies. I set up my guillotine and painted a door. I bought a digital picture frame to show some pictures of the gallery before and after its transformation, took it out of the packaging and the protective screen refused to part from the screen. It's got to go back. I did however get one response to one of my phone calls. I think I have organised all the hanging equipment that I will need to put up a show. I just have to call back tomorrow when I have retrieved my card from a friends purse where I left it for safe keeping. Until then I will continue to wait for responses.

I guess all in all I was fairly thwarted today but I am optimistic that tomorrow will be better.

I'm trying to fix a date for my opening and it's hard because all of a sudden Christmas is around the corner. I will keep at it.

I just want to point out that the phone in the picture is the same as the one at the gallery. It is totally cool!

Finishing Touch Ups!

Well it's true, I'm very nearly there. I am quite looking forward to this week as I know that I haven't got much arduous manual labour to do. It's just bits and pieces and tidying up previously unfinished jobs. Apparently, if you read the words final countdown you automatically (if you know it) start singing the song in your head. I just read that, but it was Matt who said this song must be playing in my head. It isn't because it's cheesy and wrong but I totally get the sentiment.
I am going to be all about marketing this week, which is going to make a nice change. I am finally going to get on and order my lights. Then it's getting the opening events organised. I have managed to get a good friend of mine on board to help with the whole events management side of things, Rozy, Matts fiance. Mince pies and mulled wine I'm thinking in line with the whole Christmas thing. So I better get busy designing invites and then making sure I've actually got work to show.

Ooooh look at her.......Gallery!

Here they are, this worked but the video was not having any of it. They don't do it justice but maybe you'll see it for real one day.

Oh Sometimes I Hate My Blog :(

I am attempting to do it again. I really hope that it works. It's much shorter and a bit of a whirlwind tour but something is better than nothing. I'm not going to give it hours like last time. I have got things to do, like unwind because it's FRIDAY!!

Well, today I had the carpet fitted and it looks great. It feels like a gallery now. There are some little jobs left to do. But to all extents and purposes I am officially in the final stretch.
I know this sounds odd but the closer I get to finishing the more nervous I'm getting. It's been so all about getting the building fit for purpose that I have not really thought about actually opening. I've got churny stomach just writing about it. I know it will be all good and hopefully successful. But my focus has now got to be fully on what work to put in. Labels, invites, adverts, marketing in general, publicity and the list goes on and on and on.
I'm going to be in trouble tomorrow as I Saturday class and I haven't done my home work. I feel bad but this week I had so much on that I couldn't even think about it.
I can't quite believe that two weeks could have passed so quickly. I've been incredibly busy and it's just a blur.
I have decided that I am going to have two openings, I have been undecided for ages. I thought maybe one long day event, but I think that will be too much of a handful. So what I intend to do is have an official and an unofficial opening. That way I can properly enjoy at least one of them and the sheer amount of people that say they want to come is getting bigger by the day.
I did a little spontaneous networking today, I went into another gallery and the gallery owner introduced herself to me and we had a very nice chat. I have to say that I didn't look great I was in all my painting get up and a silly hat. It's hard to sound intellectual when you're paint bespeckled, wearing two pairs of jeans, the pair on top with the flies undone. I know what you're all thinking...how classy I am.
I am still waiting for the video to upload. I have a back up plan though I have taken pictures.
Now it wont let me upload pictures or video. I'm slightly depressed. Going try again in a minute in a new blog. Wish me luck

Not Quite To Plan!

I explained yesterday that I was going to have a well deserved lie in today in order to ensure that my floor paint has dried properly. Well, I was so tired that I was in bed asleep by 9pm. The history of my usual insomnia is well documented but last night I just about managed to get through Nigel Slaters 'Simple Suppers' before passing out. I'm definitely going to make the orange jelly though.
Now I guess you're all wondering what disaster could have befallen me this morning. It is not a gallery related disaster but it does explain why I'm writing this and I'm not down at the gallery yet.
I was doing my 'choredom' (chores that are boring) and I just happened to look out the kitchen window to notice that my fishpond looked odd. It had just started to rain very heavily and I was still in my pyjamas. I ran barefoot up the garden to see that by some cruel twist of fate my pond was half empty. I fear that it might have developed a leak. But I am now waiting for it to fill back up. Not with rain! Before you all stare incredulously at the screen, the hose is in there.
I'm going to go down to the gallery in a bit and move all the stuff that I moved out from the studio into the gallery, back into the studio. Choredom at home and at work, my days are too fun packed for my own good!

1,2,3 Floor!

I have to say that today my heart wasn't in it, but my back was. I set myself some crazy targets, once a teacher always a teacher. I was determined to carry on regardless, and I did. So I started as meant to on, I blew up the hoover then fell of the mini steps. I touched up the ceiling frame and I have to say it was very grateful. It didn't seem to mind that I tried to touch up my brilliant white ceiling tiles with its gloss black paint. Doh!! I then painted the stage, swiftly followed by the rest of the wall. Then I had to touch up the black wall as I'd spattered it with white. I have to say having a black and white colour scheme is a total pain.
I then allowed myself to clean everywhere as I had to get all the dust off the floor that has been consistently covered in dust for the past two months. How lucky am I??
I then took all the precautions that are necessary when floor painting, I moved everything from the office to the gallery space. Considering all my other mistakes today I managed to remember everything.
Let the floor painting commence! I hate to say it but I used Ronseal Floor Paint and I have to tell you it was brilliant because it did exactly what it said on the tin. For those of you in England you know the adverts, it's all true.
I'm going to give the paint all morning tomorrow to dry. Which means that I can have a well deserved rest. I have some more touching up to do but not very much and I am glad to say it is nearly over.
I am going to attempt another video tomorrow as you really need to see it in its entirety. Please tune in for that and wish me luck.

I Want ToTouch It Up!

I apologize for the lateness of the hour but when Swanage calls you respond. If your friends say come out it is rude to decline because you have to write your blog. Especially when one of those friends has given up his entire afternoon to help you put up your new ceiling. A big thanks to Matt who is a friend indeed. I have now put up the majority of my ceiling and the rest is left until Dan March 'lights up my life'. Or more accurately my gallery.
Another very productive day at the gallery. The walls are within two metres of being completely painted. I have a bit to do tomorrow before I start to paint the floor in the studio. But to all extents and purposes I have finished. The slog is over and let the good times roll.
I just realised that I told Matt that I would share the knowledge about the 'snots'. In light of me telling you all about the piss coat.
We removed a few snots today when we were putting up the ceiling. Not from our respective noses but from the top of the walls. Snots are the bobbly/knobbly bits that are left at the top of the wall when your plasterer (Phil Keats) has finished his genius skimming.
So now you know. I hope that I am educating in to the builders speak of the day.
Did a monumental dump run today, which has seen the emergence of my floor, yes it does exist it isn't just covered with palettes and random plasterboard offcuts. Honest.
I'm guessing my carpet layer will be pleased that there is actually a floor to work with.
Tidying up jobs to do tomorrow.
This is a message for Matt as I know he reads this, we will finish the conversation, honest. You should be impressed that I've come in and can actually string a sentence together, no thanks to Al's Ameretto shot!! You should also know that I've hit delete at least 20+.
The title of this blog is talking about my ceiling framework, bits need touching up.
Make that 25+.

The P*ss Coat Explained!

Well today was one of an immense amount of painting and practically nothing else. I should explain for those of you who do not know what the piss coat is, exactly what it is. It's a very watered down layer of emulsion paint that you have to paint on fresh plaster to seal it. You can then paint your proper paint over the top. It's the name that builders give it so I'm not just being offensive for no good reason.
I am aching now, having painted 30+ metres of wall today. I have been paintastic! But as you will have seen from my earlier blog it looks great. I am very pleased with how it looks. There's some fine tuning to do and a second coat on two of the three walls. I am confident that I can get it done tomorrow, providing my hand doesn't drop off in my sleep. It might you know.
Okay, there is always something that happens to keep me on my toes. Last week it was Phil turning up and doing the walls. This week it would appear that it's the turn of my carpet fitters. I was told it would be 2 week wait minimum. Apparently that's not actually the case and they are coming on Friday which means that I have to paint my backside off between now and then.
My sign man Jason is working on a mock up of my sign which I can't wait to see. The fantastic Neil @ Deshok.com has also finished my website so altogether  very productive day.
My dinner is ready and I really cannot type anymore, my poor hands need a rest. Let me know what you think of the pictures.

Are You Taking The P*ss Coat?

Here are the pics I will write the blog to accompany them right now if my aching hands will let me!

My Off Trolley!

Picking up where I left off last night, I celebrated Tina's 40th birthday. We were at a social club where the drinks were silly cheap. I was practising restraint as I knew that I had to go to Ikea today. I did pretty well but needless to say that I still managed to feel hungover, I would like to rename that 'tired and emotional' as that would be a truer description of how I felt.
I made it to Ikea and managed to spend my imaginary money fairly sensibly. I fought with my trolley as it seemed to be more tired and emotional than I was. It only worked when you pushed it sideways. So other than losing the car twice in the same car park it wasn't too bad.
I feel the need to tell you about my chewing gum versus ice cold drink debacle. I was suffering from alcohol induced dehydration I thought a chewing gum would help ease the situation. It did, but I then bought an ice cold drink that I proceeded to chug down like you do when you're extremely thirsty. The PAIN, after the minty fresh chewing gum had done it's work was unbelievable if my wonky trolley hadn't been there to support me I would have hit the deck. You've heard of brain freeze this was like throat, chest and brain freeze wrapped into one particularly unspecial package.
I raced back to Swanage to meet my electrician Dan (lovely guy) to discuss fitting my lights. He's given me a quote that keeps my kidney safely inside my body. So thanks Dan. Swiftly followed by a dump run which I managed to get away with only doing the loading of the car as opposed to the unloading. Thanks Liz.
A big thank you to all the lovely people that are making my dream a reality, the genius plasterer Phil Keats, my brother from another mother Matt Suttle, the man who is going to light up my life Dan March. Liz Nash for her endless journeys to the dump with and for me, and accompanying me to Ikea. Karen and Tim at the Red Lion for letting me park in their car park and providing me with well earned after work drinks.

If I had a £ for every time someone asked me when I'm opening! I'd be a Gazillionaire!!

Well there is no gallery news! I've got new hair and that's about it. I've been spending all my imaginary money. I've bought loads of cool new things for the gallery. So if you fancy doing a workshop any time soon. You will know where to come. I have to thank Matt for helping me to organise my life in my absence. He's arranged for Dan the electrician to come to the
gallery tomorrow. I'm at my friends 40th trying very hard not to dance to the Macarena. It's not that hard really. It's not real music and I don't do group dances. I'm off to Ikea tomorrow to buy some essentials with some more imaginary money. Someone told me not to worry about it as it will soon grow back. Anyone got some Miracle Gro going spare? I'm definitely going to need it. I'll let you know how I get on. Writing this on my phone so I'll keep it short. Have a great weekend!!!

My Beautiful Walls!

Here it is, the finished article. My plastering is finished and looking good I can't believe I'm going to say this but........I cannot wait to paint the walls white. Yep, you heard right I am looking forward to painting. Phil, my plasterer has done such a fantastic job, I can understand why they say plastering is an art form because it looks it. So thanks Phil you're a plastering legend!
You will all be pleased to know it looks like my spare kidney will continue to live inside me. I had another quote for  carpets and it was £70 cheaper than my first one and they are actually going to do more. With better carpet. Phew!
I am really looking forward to not spending any money on the gallery. I have gone completely cold turkey on my own spending. No treats for me. I try and get excited about practical purchases but nothing says treat like a pair of shoes that you don't actually need, but feel you can't live without either. Mmmmm........new shoe smell or in my case new trainer smell as I haven't added to my Superstars collection since my redundancy. The self restraint that I am learning is fairly unbelievable. Long may it last.
No gallery for me tomorrow as I have an appointment to relieve my head of at least one inch of hair. I need to go from bad hair to good hair. For those of you that know me my hat has been on for a week now which means the beast cannot be tamed. Time to get it cut.
Yet another dump run will have to take place at the weekend and a really good clear down as I need to get the carpet fitted asap.
I get to paint the walls on Monday. I will definitely be putting pictures up. Watch this space.

Is it really great to wait?

Well I have to agree with Andy on this! But I am also quite an impatient waiter. I get ideas in my head and I want to do them all at once. But Patience is a virgin, I mean virtue.
Phil the plasterer thinks he'll be finished by lunchtime and then I'll go down and clean up as there's a whole new level of dust down there. It is a constant battle that I know that I have mentioned just once or twice before.
I hope that I get a quote that I can actually afford for my carpet today otherwise I may have to sell a kidney. I've heard that you can live perfectly well with just one providing you never drink or do anything remotely bad for you. Please let the quote come in at an affordable rate as I can't see myself living without any fun ever again.
I want to make things now. I'm bored with the incessant DIY it's time to get the creative juices flowing. I've decided that I can make all my own picture frames and papermaking equipment so I'm just trying to find the necessary tools.
I'm going give you a visual update of my walls later so please have a look.

I'm getting plastered today!

Last night everything went into fast forward. I was contemplating what jobs I could do whilst waiting for the plasterer. the electrician and finally the carpet fitter. When......a message was left on my answer machine, Phil the plasterer was saying he could come tomorrow. His was the next job in the queue of jobs to be done which has meant that I have to get my arse in gear. I've got a carpet man coming to give me a quote and I've just realized that if I don't organize my signs I'll be opening with out them.
I had better get on with it.
No more sitting around writing really long blogs for me. Got to get a move on. I could be open before Christmas. Are you excited? I know I am.

Rain, Rain Go Away, So that I can Paint My Windows!

I had finally come up with a plan of what to do today and I even checked the weather forecast and it said 'fine but cold'. As usual they lied it hasn't stopped raining since I woke up and the wind is howling too.
I have had to have a rethink on how to spend the day. I have spent my time writing all my blurb for the website. It's not really that much fun. But I have very nearly finished, I am writing my blog for light relief.
I have bad news on my clear ceiling tiles. The lady that lied to me earlier in the week and said they would be with me by the end of this week was lying. I bet you're thinking that I wrote 'lied' at the beginning of the sentence. I am now going to carry on with my assumption that when sales people are talking to me they are lying. So I'm going to replace the word 'spoke' with 'lied'. I had a phone call today from a real life Essex boy from the same company who told me in no uncertain terms that they have no clue when my tiles could be delivered. I know he was a Cockney as at the end of the conversation he said 'Thanks Gearl'(sic) Girl. That's so Essex.
Now I have to start my search a new. Rubbish.
I am not venturing out today so I'm going to be spending some real quality time with my laptop and trying very hard not to buy anything non gallery related on the Internet.
Wish me luck because I've got a feeling I'm going to need it.

If Only My Painty Hands Looked This Good. Yes, it is a Hand!

You know that you have been spending too long doing manual labour and clearing up, when you find yourself being pleased that Heavy Duty Bin Bags are in fact Heavy Duty. As opposed to those that tear as soon as you look at them and should be prosecuted for flaunting the Trade Description Act so blatantly. Having filled my 100th(ish) bin bag I found myself pondering the above. I have also thought that I might write to Harris Interiors to commend them on their low price but incredibly efficient paintbrush and roller set. This is because I have nearly painted the entire gallery with it and the brushes are yet to shed a single bristle. £4.99 from Asda. Is anyone else worried that companies could soon be in receipt of letters signed off ' Contented of Swanage'? I know I am, this is what happens when I am left on my own for the day.
I have also filled all the holes in my studio floor ready for it to be painted, so can somebody tell me why I insist on walking on the glaringly white wet filler every time I go in there? Just to do my own head in I'm sure.
Incase anyone was worried I found sufficient jobs to fill the rest of my day, in fact I am now waiting for a friend who needs help writing his Best Mans Speech. He best turn up soon otherwise I'm going home. It's blooming freezing when you're sat still.
I just looked at my hands and feel the need to say they are not bespeckled they are more besplodged which does not have the same ring to it at all.
I'm yet to look in the mirror so I don't what (if more than usual) horror awaits me there. Gargantuan blackheads (of paint). Nice
As I've bored you twice now I'm going to go. Tomorrow jobs are not even thought of yet so I can't let you know.

Now I look at it brag doesn't seem like a real word!

Brag blog coming up. I've painted all of my ceiling frame in under 3 hours. Get me, I was up and down the ladder like a window cleaner on speed. I didn't stop for a break i just kept going until I'd finished. Now I'm enjoying a well deserved break. The bit I love the best is that it cost me £10.00 to do the lot. Kerching!! It's all about saving money.

Now I need to think about the next job, I'm running out of them believe it or not. I am waiting for all the other good folk to do their bit.

I'm going to have a nice long think, as a think is as good as a rest. I've been chasing up my ceiling tiles today. I have the white ones but the clear ones are yet to arrive. That's my next job so they need to come soon.

I haven't really got anything else to say, I just wanted to bask in the glory of completing a job that I thought would take me all day. I'm to bask for at least another 10 minutes before starting the next job when I've worked out exactly what that is. 

What a Load of Rubbish!!

I told you that my gallery adventure today was going to the dump. What I may not of told you is that you're not allowed to dump industrial waste. I had to cunningly disguise it as household rubbish. This meant that I had a fun 30 minutes in the week practising my karate kicks as I made big things small enough to fit in black bin bags.
I enjoyed myself, there's something very satisfying about constructive destruction.
I also forgot to mention about my ceiling...... I'm replacing the ceiling tiles to give it a new lease of life. The frame is solid but FILTHY. I had an idea that I would spray paint it black and that would be the job done. I have since done the maths. I would spend just under £100 on spray paint. No way Jose`!! I haven't got that kind of cash. What I do have in abundance is time. So armed with some Hammerite paint, 2.5 tonnes of patience, latex gloves, a hat and goggles. I am going to attempt to paint it by hand. I am already anticipating the stiff neck and the sweating and swearing that will take place. If you are a local reader please pop in and take a picture of of me as I'm rubbish at taking pictures of myself.
Whilst you're all going about your days tomorrow think of me embracing my inner girl, up a ladder painting above my head for what I think will be the entire day.
So what with being up a ladder, using toxic(ish) paint, on my own all day and working above my head be warned that tomorrows blog, may well be the ranting of a black paint bespeckled, slightly hysterical gallery owner.
I don't think that the word bespeckled is an actual word but I like it. How about you?

I Heart Printmaking

It's official I love Printmaking! To say that I am loving my Saturday class would be an understatement. It is great to be back in the swing of things again. I did about 16 prints today and they were all different. I will take some pictures tomorrow as they are drying at the moment. If you're interested you'll have to have a look.
The good news on the gallery front is that some of my Saturday class people are really up for doing some workshops with me. It's good to know that I am not working in vain and there are people out there who want what I have to offer.
The studio/workshop only needs the floor painting so I think I'm going to get that done this week so that I can start using the space to produce some work whilst I'm waiting for all the other people to finish their jobs.
Dump runs tomorrow and that's about all I really want to do. I think I should at least have an afternoon of rest if nothing else.

A Big Thank You

Well today I just wanted to thank everyone who has ever read my blog. I hit 3,000 page views today. In the scheme of blog writing it's relatively low but as far as I'm concerned it's fan-bloody-tastic. Long may it continue.
I have to tell you that after the 'Big Clean' today I am getting increasingly more excited about everything. There are three big jobs left to do, the plastering, the ceiling and the floors. Then I will be very nearly ready to open. I'm going to order my sign next week.
I was showing Sid a very adorable four year old, all my pictures today and we were looking at the first ones I took at the shop and the new ones I've taken in the last few days. He decided that I was very clever and that it looked really good. High praise indeed!
School tomorrow so no gallery for me. But if anyone fancies smuggling some industrial rubbish to the dump on Sunday for me. Let me know, I've got 15+ black bin bags and loads of other junk.
Have a great weekend and thanks again!

25 More Page Views and I'll have had 3,000!!

Done and Dusted Literally

My New Etching Press

My Old Etching Press and New Table

New Shelf

If I can't give you a video like I wanted to I'll give you pictures instead. These are all the new developments at the gallery/studio. I don't think it's nearly as good as my walk and talk through the gallery but if technology is being my enemy then I have to find a new friend.
I did all the tedious finishing off jobs today and still there's more. I gave everywhere a damn good clean I don't need to tell you why.
I filled, painted, swept, cleaned and polished. I fear my work may have been in vain but I have allow my OCD tendencies their moment of glory. Another artist Mark Lloyd contacted me today to say that he is working on three new pieces specifically for the gallery. I am very excited about this as I know he's good and I'm sure they'll be fantastic.
I'm at school tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it as I've done my homework and I want to experiment a bit. I'll hopefully (technology permitting) show you the outcomes.
Remember, remember the 5th of November! I love fireworks so I am hoping to catch see some tonight. Have a great evening and I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

I Wanna Be a Gazillionaire so Freakin' Bad!

The Lone Soldier, that's me today. I am back to working solo. I forgot to mention yesterday that Matt did his last day for  a while so I'm on my own. I don't know who I'm going to share all my madcap ideas with. Oh yeah, you!
Today has already been eventful, I had the great unveiling of my glass brick wall, eventually. I got to the last screw and the head completely disintegrated. Leaving me with a fairly big problem as it was by far the longest screw that needed to be removed. Double Arse! I tried all kind of totally useless ways to try and remove it, this took about 30 minutes. I then spotted a hacksaw blade amongst the carnage that was the floor. I thought I could hack my way through the screw. I should mention that I had to do this up steps   (release my inner girl) and I had an inch gap within which to work my sawing magic. Nothing warms you up like beheading a screw up a ladder with a hacksaw blade. So approximately 25 minutes later, I revealed my beautiful glass brick wall.
Matt came by and picked up his tools and snuck a few little jobs in on the way. Thanks!
If you're wondering how I've got time to be writing my blog in the middle of the day it's because I am literally waiting for paint to dry. Really!
I'm probably going to write another one later so I'm going to keep this short. I like to leave you with a thought it makes me smile, let's face it it's all about me.
If dust was money I'd be a gazillionaire!!!

Bloggers Anonymous Newest Member.

Matt's Arm

Spot Him If You Can?

Genius New Lights Wall

Finished Glass Brick Walls

Well I'm just going to start writing and see what happens as I am over the frustration caused by my blog not doing what I want it to do. Hence no video again. For some reason it just doesn't upload even though it's much shorter. I am going to talk to someone who might know what the problem is.

What happens when you get two people together who both have the 'Womble' mentality? See the pictures above for the answer. Matt had an idea to make the wall more interesting by adding a slant. Then when I had finished my glass brick wall I had a box left over. Combine those two things and you end up with 'Genius New Lights Wall'. I love it. It's so unique and a great use of the florescent tubes that were going to be binned. With the additional bonus of adding more light.

I love to tell you the inner workings of my mind so here goes. I started writing this blog to document my progress at becoming a gallery owner. I was never too bothered about how many people read it because it was something I was doing for myself. Until now.......... I am so bothered how many people read it. I get worried that I have been too factual and dull. That there isn't some witty observation in every blog etc. I have started to worry about it. Which is CRAZY! I should be flattered that anyone bothers to read it let alone how many. Thanks by the way. Isn't it funny that I am competitive in a way I never knew that I was. Hello my name is Sharon and I suffer from 'Reader Greed' and this is my first meeting at B.A. It's been two hours since I last checked my Stats.

On that note I'm going to sign off. But can I leave you with this one thought. I often wonder whether everyone likes to read on the toilet? I thought it might be a good time to draw as it's quiet and you're on your own. You could call your doodles 'Poodles'.

Read Me, Read Me Now!!

Some days go exactly as you plan them to and then there's days like today. I tried to upload my video and it was not going to cooperate. I tried various things to try and make it happen but no it wasn't to be.  4 hours wasted and still no outcome. I had to admit defeat and post the blog that I'd written yesterday anyway. I then think I'll do some basic admin and generally start to organise my self. WRONG. My receipts were at the gallery and my accounts were at home. I then remembered that I'd left my car at work as I'd walked home. I'm not sure that I have to fill you in on anything else do I? It just kept on giving and I kept on taking like the proverbial b****.

I have realised that you have to just roll with the punches, and sometimes this means going back to bed and pulling the duvet firmly over your head and hoping that the next time that you venture out, there are more positive vibes gracing your very existence.

As far as the gallery goes, I successfully managed to put some art books on my new bookshelf. Dusted again, when I was younger I was told that I had dust allergy and I'm happy to say that I must have grown out of it as I would never be able to set foot in the gallery as the dust would literally finish me off. Not one sneeze.

I have to tell you something about my lists. I've mentioned before that I rely on them to help focus on specific jobs. Well, yesterday I managed to be occupied for the entire day but was rather perturbed to find when I checked my list I hadn't completed one job. Here's what I did....I wrote what I had done on my list then crossed it off so I felt like I had achieved something. Matt totally guessed that I had done that as soon as I started to tell him that I hadn't completed one thing. How sad am I? Tragic.

I am going try and get some more of my list done tomorrow and make a shorter video that might actually upload. Please send me all your positive vibes.

Video Killed the Gallery Owner!

As always I get way laid by things and I am also someone who likes to keep my promises so here it is. I am starting to get so excited as the end is nigh. Not the end of the world. The beginning of my new one. In a ridiculously short amount of time the gallery has taken shape. My man that can has transformed the space using mainly recycled materials. I hope you all appreciate the fact that L'Artishe Gallery and Studio are committed to recycling and being green where ever possible. In our case that is pretty much everywhere. The results are staggering because you would never know if I hadn't told you.
I'm babbling on because I am waiting for the video to upload. Technology is great and I embrace it but I'm afraid that technology treats me like a blind date that it doesn't find that attractive but will humour me because it is far too polite to say the four and three letter words that I am far too polite to write.
I'm going to go and do something more interesting instead and spare your eyes anymore of my ramblings. I have now waited over an hour for my blog to upload a 1 minute and 44 seconds video I'm sure that there has been a malfunction somewhere along the line not of my making!
Ok this is now the next day after trying for an hour and a half to get the video to load I decided to give up and go to sleep.
I'm attempting to do it again this morning. I'm determined to get it to work.
I'm going to wait as long as it takes but that does mean that I will not be down at the gallery as early as I'd hoped.  It's been two hours now.
I'm sorry I can't get it to load. I'm going to edit it down to make it shorter and try again. Good job I've got patience in abundance as this has taken up over three hours of my life that I won't get back. I just hope it's worth.

Don't Be So Shelvish!

Firstly, I want to say please read my blog later as I will be uploading a new video. Today Matt has been putting up shelves and tables and everything. I have been on my hands and knees putting the trim around my laminate floor. It was another nice opportunity to get high at work. Anyone who has ever used grip fill will know exactly what I'm talking about. It's an Evo Stik based product that smells divine but is a bit heady when you use a lot of it.
I have to say that I am looking forward to the day when I don't go home smelling of a variety of solvent based products.
I have an update on my evil step neighbour. She has complained about the wood shavings that have been left outside MY door. There are a few miniscule shavings that are nothing compared to the foot deep pile I swept up last week. Do you want to know how crazy this situation has got? She was phoning from London to complain. Now I ask you life must be too short for that level of bull**** surely? But each to their own I guess. I make it my mission to be as agreeable as possible and there are others who delight in being disagreeable. I know who is happier in the long run.
Well this is just a tease and tempt blog as I need to get more readers again. I'm suffering from a slump. :(
I want to tell you how I came to be at work so early this morning. I woke up because I was having this dream that a man and woman had joined themselves together using piercing. Saying it was their choice to live an alternative lifestyle. What the Hell was that dream about? I cannot find it any dream dictionary. If you have any ideas please let me know.
I'll upload the video later, and I won't go on about my voice as I have been told by everyone that it sounds exactly like me.

To Assume makes an Ass out of you and me.

Mmm...Nice Ass!

Today has been about sorting things out. I called this blog the trials and tribulations of becoming a gallery owner for a good reason. I have never owned my own business and I was sure that if my life in general was anything to go by it was going to be anything but plain sailing. Finding the right people to do certain jobs, dealing with people as professionals whether they are friends or not. Speaking your mind when the outcome could cause upset. Becoming an ostrich because of fear of confrontation. Today I learnt that you cannot assume anything and that people can surprise you. I think that's all I need to say about that. If you can take anything away from my experience it's better to be honest and assume nothing.
I was on my own at the gallery today and I won't bore you with the details because they really are boring. I painted for 5 hours straight. I wanted to give you another virtual tour today but as I didn't make it to the gallery until 12.00. I felt that I needed to make a concerted effort to make the most of the day.
I'm all out of sync now that the clocks have gone back. I am a huge fan of daylight and would rather have more than less. For at least two weeks I will keep reminding myself of what the time used to be before the change as if it will make some kind of difference. It doesn't, and people quickly tire with me saying 'it's only ? o'clock really'. Who can blame them. Maybe it's because I'm on the spectrum and I can't accept change as readily as others.
For those of you with a proper job, as I used to, it's the going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark that makes it really depressing.
For my friends who live in Swanage and work in Bournemouth, they have the additional pleasure of the ferry being off for the next month and on the only road out of Swanage there's road works. Double whammy!
Tomorrow I will leave the house at a sensible time and get another video shot. I have feeling that I have another day of painting ahead of me. Which I'll admit doesn't fill me with joy. I am going to try and punctuate the day with other jobs that do not involve a paintbrush.
I think Matt is back with me tomorrow so I'm hoping that I can all the stuff that needs to be on the walls, on the walls.