Enjoy Your Bank Holiday Monday

It is very hard to write a blog when you spend the day teaching. You are left without much time or energy to write anything.
Question: Why do people always want to buy the picture that has already sold?
It is a cruel fact that I am all to aware of. This is the reality, I guess that a great painting is exactly that, a great painting.
I have spoken before about the fact that people come to the gallery and tell me that I am never open when they come to visit.
I still find this hard to believe as I am only closed for two days a week. It is crazy.
It's Bank Holiday Monday and I am open and there have been a few people through the door so not a waste of time at all.
Kitty and Sally have one day to go so if you haven't managed to see it yet then try and pop in before it finishes which will be at end of business tomorrow.
New exhibition will start on Saturday so please come and see it.

Wish I Could Print Money!

Well we were fairly awash with water and paper pulp and I managed to soak myself so thoroughly that I had to nip home and get changed. Nice!
I think they really enjoyed it so that's the main thing. I am quite tired now though it is quite draining but it's all money in the bank.
I really need to sit down and get on with my own work as I am starting to worry about my march deadline. But I will only be open for workshops in January as I am having some more work done on the gallery. I am replacing one of the front windows. It is very old and is very scarred and scratched so it has got to go.
There will also be a complete refinishing of the walls to get rid of all the horrible pock marks that each exhibition leaves.
If you are thinking about having an exhibition at the gallery I need to let you know that the hire cost will be increasing for next year I have updated the price list on the website so check that out.
It is never very straightforward when I write my blog as I have multiple interruptions throughout and I find it really difficult to maintain the flow of things.
I thing that Rory from Talk Talk could confirm that for you. I have had to cut conversations short with him every day for the last week or so.
He's given up now and is going to leave it me to ring him when I am less busy.
I better stop writing and start working.

Monday Monday

How quickly Monday comes around and for once Sunday actually lived up to its name. It was a glorious day and enjoyed as much of it as I could before the dreaded mist crept back in later on.
I had a busy day on Saturday with plenty of people through the door.
No sales which is quite unbelievable considering the interest shown in the work. It seems that people love what they see which I have to admit is a good thing.
My first email that I got today was so lovely it made me very happy, I am going to share it with you as you can read it on my website anyway.

TESTIMONIAL
Sharon has created a contemporary and flexible space at the gallery. I felt totally happy with all aspects of dealing with Sharon over my joint exhibition with Sally Maltby. Sharon has a sharp eye for detail and she hung the exhibtion extremely thoughtfully and artistically. My paintings and jewellery were grouped according to subject matter and chronology, which worked perfectly, and she saw a way of pulling the work together so that it was clear and exciting. Sharon was generous with her help, time and advice, and is also just a lovely person to entrust your work to. I would most certainly recommend both Sharon and L'Artishe without hesitation.
Kitty Wass

I have prepared myself for tomorrows papermaking session. I am hoping that all the lessons that I have learnt from my own very wet papermaking experiences will mean that tomorrow we will not be awash with paper pulp.
It will then be followed up with a printmaking session where they will print on their own paper. Just like me.
I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.
I am all prepped for a week of teaching and since I started writing this there goes my Thursday with another day of teaching.
I know that you don't need telling again but I just can't help it. Please come and see the current exhibition it really is very good.

Sheila and Tony Popped In to Say 'Hi'

I have been slaving away all day trying to whip my website into shape. It has been at the top of my list of things to do for nearly six solid months. Isn't it funny that today I managed to get on and do it? The question you should now be asking yourself is what should I have been doing? I have readily admitted in the past that I am the Queen of Procrastination. If my website has suddenly become a priority then what else have I put off. I am going to leave you guessing.
I had a lovely visit from Sheila Girling and Tony Caro today. They just popped in to say 'Hi'. What world am I now living in, that, that can happen? I am not entirely sure but I am glad to be living in it.
We spent a pleasant while discussing a variety of subjects including the Olympics, the weather and obviously the gallery.
It's always nice to see friendly faces.
I might have mentioned once or twice that there is a night market on tonight at the Legion. Well, guess what? Tonight is the night. Please try and come and support us if you are local. We are really trying to offer people some alternative fun Friday night entertainment and if I haven't mentioned this before the drinks are really, really cheap.
Get drunk and buy stuff you know it makes sense.
Now I have spoken about the exhibition that is happening after the ladies, which is Graeme P the photographic artist.
I now want to tell you a little about Josh Hollingshead. He is a very talented painter who works on such a large scale that every picture I could possibly show you will not do them justice. He is young, gifted and white. I had to do that, I just cannot help myself. If seeing is believing then I believe you know what to do....come to his Private View and see for yourself.

If you have plans for the weekend I hope that you have a great one and if not come to Swanage we will always be pleased to see you.

Have I Mentioned The Night Market.....?

I have been very busy therefore I have been very quiet. I love teaching workshops that is why I have been busy. I am actually fully booked for the next couple of weeks. Printmaking this week and papermaking and watercolour next week. If you fancy learning a skill or honing an old one I will be here teaching all next week.
That is all good money in the bank, my bank manager is furiously mopping his brow at the moment. It's been a tough but good summer so far. I am not sure whether it's the weather, the olympics or the recession but Swanage is quiet. Don't stay away...unless you have seen the queue for the ferry and have decided that life's too short, if that is the case I completely understand. I only tolerate the queuing because I live here.
I want to remind you about the night market this Friday. I have reposted it so many times on Facebook that I think they might start charging me advertising rates. I have some great stuff to sell you at very reasonable prices.
Please do pop in and see me if you are out and about in Swanage.

Rock The Casbah - Friday 8.00 - 12.00 at The Legion

I am going to keep it short and to the point. This event is happening on Friday night. There are a variety of stalls and great stuff to look at and possibly buy. Suzette the Knotty Potter will be selling her unique ceramics and offering you the chance to throw your own. I will be selling collectables from past and present. Louise from Iced Gems will have cakes a plenty including a few boozy flavoured ones for the adults. I think there are going to be two jewellery stalls, a rock and roll memorabilia stall and a record stall. There are more but I don't know what they are.

It's not too late to get involved. Get in touch if you have something crafty/unique or interesting to sell.

Kitty Wass and Sally Maltby at L'Artishe Gallery

I am sure that I am not alone when I say that it would be nice to be eased into the week gently. I have not been afforded that luxury and I have been busier than ever today. My phone has pretty much been ringing off the hook and people through the door have all wanted to chat about something or other. Which is all good.
I have to tell you that the PV went extremely well. I hope that you can come in and see this exhibition as it is really good.
Sally Maltby paints stunning watercolours that are sensitively handled and expertly executed, whilst Kitty Wass paints evocative seascapes and makes exquisite jewellery inspired by the colours from land and sea.
You need to pencil the next exhibition into your diary as well.

Graeme is a photographer who works from a very diverse range of subject matter and manipulates images to create stunning unique images.

I am getting very busy with workshops at the moment so if you are interested there are several dates available. Get in touch to find out when they are happening.

I need to sign off as I have still got a ton of stuff to do before the end of the day.

Rock The Casbah Night Market

I have been away but now I am back with a vengeance! I had a fantastic holiday and I have come back ready for action which is just as well as I am busy, busy, busy!

I hope that you have had a great 10 days, the sporadic summer weather is frustrating but at least it is dry.

If you are wondering what to do with your time I always have suggestions. Firstly, why not get involved with the Night Market. if you make small art/craft items then why not have a stall. They are very reasonably priced at only £5 each.

If you want to come and look at some great art then you should visit the gallery. The new exhibition starts today.

If you don't fancy any of that why not? I am also running lots of workshops in the next few weeks. So if you have been pondering getting your creative head on, ponder no more and come and see me and book yourself in for a day of learning a new skill.

There really is no excuse for boredom.

I would like to thank my various gallery sitters. So thanks Shirley, Sue, Tom and Murray for all your hard work and keeping the gallery ticking over in my absence.

If you are thinking about exhibiting at the gallery next year you better be quick because the best slots are filling up fast.

Phew!

I hope that you have a great weekend and that you will pop in to the gallery and see me very soon!