Blurry Round The Edges!

Come on Focus!

Why is it called a boredom threshold? I have to know. I think that there are days when you are fully engaged in whatever you are doing and there are other days when you have the attention span of a two year old high on e numbers. Is that a contradiction in terms? E numbers? I'll have to think about that when I can be bothered to focus for longer than, what was I talking about again?
I try various ploys to fool myself into focusing, one of them is to listen to very mellow music. The outcome of that for me today is to make me feel sleepy.
Another thing that I do is to start a job that I think I might enjoy. Who am I kidding? If it has the word job attached to it, I think I am creating a self fulfilling prophecy of boredom. I have no idea where my lack of wanting to focus comes from. I suppose it might have something to do with the fact that I have been so over the top focused for the last two weeks my brain (such as it is) is rebelling.
If you too suffer from unexplained lack of focus you've probably already had to re read this paragraph about 10 times. I know I have.
I have a great show on at the gallery and it would seem that regardless of the door being open people would still prefer to look at it through the huge glazed barriers which are other wise known as my windows.
I know that I mention this often but seriously...........come in it is 100% free to look.
Yesterday I mentioned looking for new talent and I really am so if you know some one or you are someone who is creative definitely think about getting in touch. I am literally sat here waiting to hear from you.
As I have spent half the time I have been writing this staring out of the window I am guessing that I should probably go and do something more productive.

Back For Good! Take This!

Yes, I have been!

The best news is that the Suttles (my builder and his wife) had a beautiful baby girl in the early hours of Saturday morning. She is called Poppy Valentine and I am very excited about meeting her very soon.
Where have I been? The truth is that I have been working very hard on developing the business. I cannot quite believe that I spent the majority of last week glued to my computer. Anyone who thinks that my life is just watching thriller after thriller you would be wrong. I watch them when I have come to a complete full stop. That is when my brain refuses to cooperate anymore with the clickety clacking and concentrating.
I am on a mission to make my gallery known as far a field as possible and the only way to do that is to constantly look at every angle. Then shove yourself in it which ever way you will fit.
Had a sale on Saturday! Yay!! I was actually at home dismantling my studio. I no longer have the need for it as I have a purpose built one at the gallery. But as I was unusually pessimistic about the fact that the interested couple had said they were going to go and have a coffee and think about it. I just assumed that my gallery sitter had been told the age old gallery white lie. Apparently not!
I'm sure every one can relate to the fact that I kept finding things that I haven't looked at for years. Stuff from Uni that I'd forgotten that I'd even made. You all know how long and drawn out that makes the process. I was fairly brutal as I have nowhere to store anything it had to be dumped.
I am constantly working on new ideas and ways of keeping the interest going in the gallery and generating new interest. You really could be part of it if you are an artist working locally. Especially, if you are working in a creative and unique way. If you haven't made yourself known to me then you should. I am always on the look out for new and interesting talent. I am particularly keen to attract graduates who need a sympathetic gallery owner to give them a chance. I am that person. If you know of anyone that use use some positive and constructive help in the arts then you know where to send them. I am interested in all media and all ways of working. The more contemporary and cutting edge the better.
You can email me at lartishegallery@mail.com or if you visit the website you can send me an email directly from there.
There will be a big first anniversary party at the end of January. I hope that there will be lots to celebrate as I enter into my second year of trading. I also hope that all of you that are local enough to me will be able to make it.
I won't get my work done if I keep writing my blog so see you all later!

Sizzle, Frazzle, Fizzle, Dazzle and Nuzzle

I think any word that has a double z in should be exciting and vibrant and many of them are. Except the one that is hindering everybody's day today! Drizzle! Although I do like it in a culinary context, mmmm lemon drizzle cake.
Incidentally, two of the pictures in this current show have two z's in their titles. If you come in and spot them I will reward you with chocolate.

Wow you don't write  blog for one day and they go and change the whole format on you! As if I don't have enough to think about. I think I can truthfully declare that the weather (rain specifically) was as much of a culprit as the window smudgers. I arrived at the gallery this morning to find the windows covered in a weird greasy layer of grime as well as the usual face/hand prints. It took me two goes with industrial window cleaner to get them back to anywhere near shiny. Arm ache central and I'm not overly impressed that they are as clean as they could be.

I was very sorry to hear on Tuesday that the Photographers Lounge was a victim of mindless vandalism at the weekend. It is hard enough in the recession to make a living without alcohol fueled destruction costing time time, effort and money to put right. I hear there is a petition to get CCTV in the High Street, I am totally signing that if it ever makes it to my door.

I have been asserting my technical prowess this morning. For those of you who would like to read between the lines. I did many technical things that all ended with me holding my breath and crossing my fingers. That is not to mention the accelerated heart beat that accompanies those other two things.

I have tested them and I think I may actually have made them work.

If you would like to sample my handiwork go to www.lartishe.co.uk  You should be redirected to my new website.

For the other thing you will just have to look at the Purbeck Gazette when it comes out.

As you all have heard in previous blogs about my genius builder Matt, you should know that we are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best thing he has made so far......a baby. I am very excited about it and cannot wait to meet him/her. It's imminent so I am sending some positive vibes to him and his lovely wife and hope that all goes well tomorrow.

Another quiet day at the gallery, which means that I get to do all my lovely admin uninterrupted. 

I think it is important that everyone who has the aspiration to be an artist should have the opportunity to show their work in a professional setting and I am brewing an idea that will help to support this. I am not going to reveal too much at this stage but keep reading and you'll find out before too long.

Enough of this blogcrastination iI have at least five more things on my list to get through today.

Happy 1st Anniversary To My Blog!

"I often spend time reflecting" said the mirror! Just kidding. Seriously, yesterday I thought I would go and have a look at my first ever blog and I saw that I wrote it on the 5th of September last year. It's official I have been writing my blog for an entire year. You have been with me through the highs and the lows and the down right strange. I kept them nice and short too I bet you miss the good old days.
I have said to many people recently about the steep learning curve that running a business has meant that I would experience. I have made sufficient mistakes to remain humble and and I am grateful if not a little defensive to those well meaning friends who have tried to point me in the right general direction. I have never taken criticism well but I am learning to in a somewhat churlish and petulant way.
You all know who you are so thank you for that if I didn't say so at the time,
It has been wet and windy and that's just me! The weather is so dismal that for about ten minutes this morning I had convinced myself that I shouldn't bother to open today as no one would bother visiting a gallery. Two whole people have proved me wrong. Very nice they were too. Had a nice chat with each of them and they both really liked Jan Dagleys work which is excellent for me as she has hired the gallery in April next year for a solo exhibition.
I have made notes in my diary for things that I would like to mention in my blog as I often think about things I want to tell you about and then forget when it comes to actually writing my blog.
I have been tweaking the website changing a few things and adding a few things. I have added a downloadable application form for any future Open exhibitions. I am trying to formalize my practice as much as I can.
I am in the midst of designing some paper invites that should be interchangeable for each show. Who would have thunk it that I would end up doing quite so much graphic design? Not me.
I am going to end my anniversary blog with an observation that I have made and it's based on fact.
Why is it when you take an exhibition down that has been on for at least a month, someone will come in (without fail) and say I really liked that blue piece (for arguments sake) it's a shame it's not in this show?
It is worse when they say I am still thinking about buying it! From where? Is what I'd like to know. Do they think it makes me feel any better knowing that they would have bought it if it was still here? Or is is it in fact another gallery white lie?
 To bastardize Beyonce's song.
"If you liked it then you should have spent your bling on it!"

Three Out Of Fifty Aint Bad!

It appears that I may have been remiss about fully blowing my own trumpet for managing to get three, that's right three of the Fifty Wessex Artists to take part in my Colour Open Exhibition. I actually know that I had a little help from my friends and for that I am truly grateful. The three in question are Brian Bishop, Bonnie Brown and Georgina Fermer. As always I tell you to make sure that you come and see the current exhibition and I am pleased to say that some of blog readers actually do make it. But people other than me say that it is the best exhibition yet. So it would be great if you could come along and see it.
I have to really sing the praises of the Red Orb Sculpture Exhibition at Leeson House. It was very inspirational and thought provoking. There really was something for everyone. I know I mentioned it on my blog before, I liked it so much I visited it twice. The organizers did a sterling job of pulling such an eclectic mix of work together and making it look good. It's on until 5pm this evening so if you are local and fancy a nice walk with some great sculpture thrown in you know what to do.
The Private View was very well attended on Saturday. No sales as yet but there's plenty of time for that. I have to admit I went straight home to bed afterwards as I was absolutely worn out.
I think that I should let you know that the blog has been going a little crazy of late with this weekend seeing my page views go up to 20,350 which means that there is a lot of people looking these days so when I asked the question about who reads blogs I have had that well and truly answered for me.
I have now written well over 100 blogs and still going strong. Well I suppose that must be true if you are reading this.

I am hoping that this week will be the week when I can actually pick up a paintbrush without painting a wall with it. I have not drawn or painted in nearly three weeks. I am so past cold turkey, that I am that frozen turkey curry languishing in the corner of the deep freeze since Christmas 2009. I hope that I can get through my lists of things to do so that I will have time to do something creative. 

Politically Incorrect

Mmm, that's attractive!

At what point do you think it would be ok to tell a small child that whilst it's very funny to them to push their face and hands up against my newly polished windows if they persist I may well have to throttle them? Before or after I throttle them?
As I had done the inside of the gallery I decided to give the outside a good clean today. It's grubby on the High Street, what with all the passing traffic not to mention the condiment squirters. Incase you haven't come across them before I'll explain. These people go to the pub and probably consume quite a large amount of alcohol they then proceed to a fast food establishment where they will buy some artery thickening food. To accompany said food they will get sachets of various coloured sauces which they will then think it is the height of hilarity to squirt it either up a window or stamp on it to create pavement Pollocks.
I know I have mentioned before the burger/sandwich posters. By posters I mean they will post items of food through your letterbox for fun. You know people have signs that say 'No Junk Mail Please' maybe I could have one that says 'No Junk Food Please'. What do you think? I think that it would probably be a recipe for disaster.
I have to confess I am frost writer. I cannot resist scratching some inane but inoffensive message on frosty cars. I've done it for years.
No blog yesterday as I was very busy putting this show up. I went from having not quite enough to having enough for a second room. I have been developing my arm muscles as  I have had to hang some fairly substantial paintings on my own. It is character building. I think this show looks vibrant and lively with so much colour it is great.
As always you are all more than welcome to come and see it anytime you like.
I would like to thank Matt and Jamie at Beco Belle for bringing me Eggs Benedict and an Espresso for my breakfast this morning. It was an absolute life saver and very tasty indeed.
For all you artists out there I need to tell you about two open exhibitions that are going to take place next year.
One will be drawing and the other will be image and text. So get your creative heads on and think about producing something new.
I have already got some very talented artists lined up for the image and text so it would be good to see what everyone else can come up with.
For those of you who were unable to make it along to Mary Jane Evans show I will be uploading images of it to my website on Monday. If I remember I'll add a link.
I hope that you have a great weekend and I'll let you know on Monday how the Private View went tonight.

Paint Gets Under Your Nails

Yes, it is a hand!

I had a bizarre sense of deja vu today as I did a total repaint in the gallery. I was told that it was because I was perfectionist and that means I will always have plenty to do. Every exhibition in the gallery leaves its mark. Some more than others. Mary Janes' show was no exception. In fact it was probably one of the worst culprits. In order to make sure that the beautiful work stayed put it meant drilling some fairly substantial holes. That means filling them back in afterwards. I have to thank Matt because he has taught me that if there's a tool that makes it easier use it. So I am now the proud owner of a heavy duty sander. It is great!
My walls are white and very smooth. Lovely.
I have started to hang the Colour Open and I am fairly happy with it so far. I have had a few let downs which has meant that there isn't as much work as I was expecting. I am a firm believer in if I say I am going to do something I will 9.75 out of 10 do it.
There are some fantastic local artists in this show and I am proud to have their work in the gallery. I feel very lucky to have the support of these artists as I respect their work and also their perspective on how to nurture and develop the art scene in the Purbecks.
Anyway, as you can tell by the late hour of this posting it is very nearly my bedtime but felt that I should write.
Can you actually believe that Friday is upon us again?
The Private View for the next show is Saturday at 6.30 and if you haven't made it to one recently, why not? Come to this one and enjoy some free food and drink and get some culture under your belt. You know it makes sense.