What Is The Time Again?

This Has Been My Day

My horrible internet connection has been awful for the last three days. I would like to say that I was too busy to get my blog written on Saturday. But the truth is that my connection kept dropping out and I could not get my blog to save.
Since I started writing this I have to sign in to my own broadband twice. I am going to employ some super speedy typing to try and get this written before it decides to leave me again.
It has been a very busy day at the gallery, I think it is because people have cottoned on to the fact that this exhibition finishes tomorrow.
That is a good thing because the more people that think that the better.
Has any one else been totally thrown by the clock change thing? It dawned on me that I have got far too many clocks in my life.
Forget to change them at your peril!
The gallery will be closed from Wednesday until next week, when Mark Lloyd's show will be starting.

Sew Much to See and Sew Little Time!

Jane Colquhoun

It's not on show but I like it!

It is the last time that I am going to try and persuade you to visit one of the most beautiful exhibitions that I have ever had at the gallery. The six very talented textile artists have had their work on show for nearly three weeks. The people who have seen it love it so I'm guessing you will too.
I am now going to promote the next exhibition. Mark Lloyd will be showing his latest paintings and drawings at the gallery starting on Saturday 10th November.
His work will challenge you and ask more questions than it answers. But it will impress you that I can guarantee.

Mark Lloyd

I hope that you will be able to come and see it. 

I am still busy with my own work for my own exhibition, I have produced some new work that I am actually really happy with. I know, I know! I always hate the work at first but this I actually like, I may live to regret it because the public at large may beg to differ.

Only time will tell.

I hope that you have some great plans line up for this weekend I'm guessing there will be many Halloween inspired events. I am attending two parties this weekend!

Have fun!

One Month Off.......Being Fully Booked in 2013

Do you ever have days when you are shocked by your own genius? Me neither. Well if I tone it down a bit and ask do you ever have days when you realise that your being forward thinking and speculative can reap rewards? I can now change the answer to 'yes'.
I have now booked the end of November for next year. That means that  I now have just got to get a booking for December and that will be that. A WHOLE YEAR BOOKED UP!
It warranted capital letters, I don't use them often so I know you will forgive me.
I do not know how the time flies. I have been updating my gallery Facebook page very regularly but forsaking my blog. I think it's because you get instant feedback.
All that instant gratification that we are used in the noughties. How could I stoop so low?
Today it was all about seeing how much blood could be shed at the gallery. I had to crack open the First Aid kit twice. I was teaching linocut and even though my mantra was 'keep your hand behind the blade' they both managed to leave with plasters.
They are young they'll heal quickly.
Only a few more days left for you to come and admire the beautiful textiles exhibition. I will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Then I will be closed for the weekend.

Imagine What You Can Do!

Story of my life!

Well, no I haven't been. That's why there has been no blog. I have had the weekend off as my sinuses thought they would revolt! They were indeed revolting!
Better now, so I hope that you had a good weekend. The textile show continues to draw the crowds, it seems to be making textile fans out of people who did not even realise that they liked textiles.
You have exactly 10 more days to come and see it for yourself! Don't let the general sogginess of the weather put you off. You will not be disappointed.
Got another booking for the gallery today for next year so that means that I only have a couple of slots left. How exciting!
How nice it is to teach someone who as full of ideas as I am! It's scary, but my mind just keeps thinking of possibilities. Sometimes, I have too shut up because the poor person on the receiving end is in danger of being overloaded with more and more 'out there' ideas.
I can't imagine not having an imagination. Is that a paradoxical question?
Having said that I bet those who unfortunate enough to lack imagination generally sleep much better than I do.
I'm off again, there's banking to be done!

Don't Leaf Me This Way!

Yes, it is a leaf!

Today could not be anymore about the gallery if it tried. I have spent all day so far organising all aspects of my gallery existence. I know you think that I do this all too often but the truth is that I need to address my storage solution in some practical way. I need to be able to store my work and other peoples safely and securely. Not the shove and bung (after encasing it lovingly in two inches of thick bubble wrap) solution that I currently have.

I keep looking up in the studio and I see all this space that is not being used in any meaningful way. I feel some gallery improvements coming along in January. I need a storage rack for paintings. I am going to design my own as having looked at the price of them I would need to sell the gallery in order to pay for them.

Considering it is dry, town seems quiet today. I like it when it is busy, although I do have to moderate the volume of my music when people come in. It is designed to motivate me not necessarily suitable for art browsing.

Fully booked up for half term week with workshops but will be able to make an escape for a few days to Falmouth. I've never been, I'm going to get the tour of the art school. Should be good.

Starting to make real head way in the preparations for my exhibition. It is going to be a little crazy but that means it will be a true reflection of myself. If you are planning on coming then be prepared to be amused.

It's A Stitch Up @ The Gallery

Mark Lloyd

Another busy day at the gallery with groups of textiles enthusiasts coming along to see this show. It is great to know that this exhibition is being so well received.
If you haven't seen it why not? It's not like I haven't invited you along at every available opportunity. What are you waiting for? If you are thinking that textiles are not your thing then come on and challenge that perception. You owe it to your cultural well being to to explore new things.
I probably should have been doing one thing but today I've mostly been doing the other thing. That is I am cracking on with making some new art. I am undecided about whether it is any good but you should know that I am always like that about any new work that I produce. I have a loathe/hate relationship with it. I am sure all artists are the same. I like to hide it away from myself until enough time has passed and then I'll get it out again and try and make some kind of decision about whether I like it or not.
What is interesting is that I am a perfectionist when it comes to my own work and the techniques I am currently using take most of the control away from me. I'll have to wait until March to see what the public at large think.
Now I think about it, I am not sure that I want to be at the gallery for the entire three weeks whilst my show is on. I may well have to plan to have some time off.
The picture by Mark Lloyd is one of his new drawings, just trying to whet your appetite.

Painted Love by Soft Sell

Can you tell me what you would prefer? Ok, I am two years in as a gallery owner and I am convinced that other than a friendly 'Hello' people generally want to be left the hell alone when looking at the work in a gallery? What do you think? I think if people want a conversation they will initiate one. Am I wrong? Would I sell more art if I spoke more? I know that I ask these questions and that I am unlikely to get a response but I genuinely want to know what people think.
I think if people like the work enough to ask about it, I am happy to engage in conversation. This is just a Monday ponder as you do.
I do not believe in the hard sell. I want people to have the time and space to fall in love with a piece and come to the decision themselves that they can't live without it. Then I will happily relieve them of their cash.
It was busy again on Saturday, lots of textile folk staring intently at each and every stitch. No sales, but let's face it, it isn't just about the money. I love the fact that people have travelled considerable distances to come and see this exhibition to enjoy the craftspersonship (I may have just made that word up). It's just that craftsmanship seems a bit sexist.
Since I started writing this blog I have been offered a very interesting proposal. It would seem that I will be diversifying a little. Stepping into the field of curation/representation. I am going to do some homework to find out what I need to do. If this comes off it will be a really exciting side to running the gallery.
I have been doing my pipette drawings and quite a lot of people have seen them and so far the feedback has all been positive. You'll have to come to my exhibition if you want to see them.
So it is time to plug the next show you already know the current exhibition is worth seeing. Mark Lloyd is up next and I already know that it is going to be brilliant. I've seen the work.

The Best Week Ever

Justin Smith

In so many ways this has been the best week ever at the gallery. I needed confirmation that I was doing the right thing, extending the lease that is. When you work on your own there isn't anyone to tell you that it's all going well and that you should persevere regardless. As if by magic so many great opportunities have presented themselves to me and all of them a positive move in the right direction for lots of reasons. Not to mention the positive feedback and sales from the current exhibition.
The textiles exhibition that is currently on, is the first that I have properly curated. I put the people together with a little help from my friends I must add.
People are saying that it is and I quote 'a beautifully balanced exhibition'. It helps that the artists that I have had the pleasure of working with have been fantastic in every way.
It has given me the confidence to start thinking about the next group show that I can get organised for next year.
I would like to approach some of the newer media artists. I am looking to buy a screen so that I can exhibit animation, digital art etc.
All in all, there are lots of exciting possibilities on the horizon that should mean that throughout 2013 there will be some great exhibitions.
It's not too late to get involved just get in touch.

Textile Art At It's Very Best!

Stole this from Jane Colquhoun but it's a great picture of the current exhibition.

The positive feedback just keeps coming for this current exhibition. I had no idea that there were so many people that were into textiles. I felt it was an unsung hero hence the exhibition. People are coming in and staring long and hard at each individual piece and discussing how it could have been made. I am glad that the artists gave me comprehensive descriptions so that I don't have to do too much explaining.
I managed to do something that I have never managed to do before today. That is I managed to break my phone. I have told you before about my excessive reliance on gadgets and technology. Well, I can virtually run the majority of aspects of the gallery via my phone other than physically opening it and sitting there door watching.
Just a moments clumsiness and I shattered the screen. Oh well, I'll get it fixed and that will be that.
I bet you cannot guess what is keeping people from visiting the gallery today.
I'll leave it you to work it out.
I taught a very successful lesson this morning, my students produced some fine prints. It's very satisfying when show someone how to do something and then they run with it.
I am expanding my remit at the gallery and I have to say that I am very excited about it. I will be working towards getting artists into other galleries up and down the country.
Whilst continuing to try and get people to exhibit with me.

Five New Pieces On Show

Jane Colquhoun

I came in early today as we had to replace the work that sold yesterday. I have been red dotting like a lunatic as I think that it is important for people to know that the work is replacing the work that has already sold. So thanks to Yvonne Morton for driving all that way to bring me replacements in this awful weather. Luckily, I had some spares for Trisha Forshaw.

The price list is amended, and if you have already seen the show and enjoyed it then do consider the fact that there are now five new pieces on exhibit as of today.

I am happy to report that the weather is not keeping people away, I think that it is a safe haven from the afore mentioned weather. Textile enthusiasts are also spreading the word among themselves and that is good news. New faces in the gallery who previously did not know that existed.

I set myself all sorts of creative targets for myself today but I cannot seem to get myself motivated. I have done one thing and then I sought comfort from writing my blog.

I  am going to start marking out my pages for sewing together. That will keep me occupied for the next three hours.

Three Sales On A Monday!

I know I've mentioned before that my ideal way to start a week is to make a sale. Imagine my delight when I sold not one, not two but three pieces this morning. I told you that Yvonne Morton's work was beautiful and it would seem that others agree.
It has already been a successful exhibition with two sales on the night of the Private View I am confident that there will be more as the work is really good.
Yvonne is bringing me some more work tomorrow so I won't have a gaping hole in the display.
I am still fighting a cold and today is the turn of the tickly throat. It is far from ideal to keep clearing your throat every five minutes especially when you are trying to talk to people about the work on the walls.
Tomorrow I plan to embark on a series that I intend to call my 'pipette' drawings. You'll have to wait and see how they turn out as will I.

The Art Of Textiles Starts Today.

Jenni Cadman

I have been conspicuous by my absence. I have been up to the usual getting work hung, and price lists written and general housekeeping duties. The new show is now up and looks fantastic. It is a very diverse show with all the textile artists approaching their work with totally unique styles.
I can assure you that it is not just pretty patterns  they are serious works of art.
The artists involved are  Yvonne Morton, Jenni Cadman, Jane Colquhoun, Moira Searle, and Trisha Forshaw. They really are at the top of their game and are well respected within their field.
I am fighting a cold so I am sat here feeling sorry for myself. It is quite perturbing to know that I have still got the PV to get through later.
No one entered the competition to name the artists/paintings shown in Josh's Impossible Exhibition so I am guessing that I will have to win the bottle of wine. Excellent!
I have got some classes running next week, get in touch if you are interested. I am going to stop writing now as this has already taken me far too long.

The End Is In An Hour

Pablo Picasso

I have had a great morning hanging out with the textile artist Yvonne Morton. It is always lovely to meet new people especially when they are on exactly the same page as you. We laughed a lot and she showed me her work and then I showed her mine. We had a little mutual admiration going on. I am not a textiles aficianado but I do know what I like. I am very glad to report that not only do I like her work but I am really pleased with the overall selection I have from all six artists.
We discussed our obsession with art equipment, I cannot walk past an art shop without going in to 'perv' on all the things that I do not need but still want. If I had to guess, I would say that 90% of all artists are like that.
So the day has come for the show that has been brilliant to come down. Josh and I are obsessing about the weather as we have to get these mammoth images back out of the gallery and safely back to where they live.
It has been refreshing to get the feedback from people about the work. Is 'impactful' a word? The dotted red line underneath it tells me it isn't but as you know I love to invent new words. That would be the best one to describe what this exhibition has been.
The other would be a product 'marmite'. I strongly believe that if art is doing it's job then it is perfectly valid for it to be like 'marmite'. You either love it or you hate it. There is no 'like' in the equation. Luckily the people who have crossed the threshold have been of the ' loving it' variety.
So I am off for a couple of days, getting  ready for the next exhibition. I have to go to the mainland for the PV stuff.
I also need a haircut it has been 7 months since my last one and my hair is looking particularly rubbish at the moment.
Be back blogging on Friday so have a good week!
I just wanted to share this one last thought with you. I have essentially written a books worth of blogs, is it just me or is that just a little bit impressive?

Tomorrow Is The New Today

The necessity of doing admin was upon me today and my usual procrastination was thankfully absent.
It is nice to know that it is all done but I can tell you that it saps what ever creative juices that could have flowed today. My brain is fried.
This is the penultimate day of Josh's show and I hope that a few more people will visit it before it comes down tomorrow afternoon.
I have nearly got all of the work for the next show at the gallery and it is already looking good and I have not even taken it out of its wrappings.
Forget everything you thought you knew about textiles and come and see the work of these six very talented textile artists.
The PV is on Saturday and you are all invited it starts at 6.00 and ends at 8.00 the usual drinks and nibbles will be served.
Nothing else to report as I am no longer a weather forecaster!