What's The Story Morning Glory?

I suppose it's only right to start with the Swanage High Street gossip. Well here it is........guess who I spotted across the road from the gallery? I know it's an impossible thing to ask so I'll put you out of your misery. Liam Gallagher and his wife. It's true they were outside and possibly inside at some point Smiths the antique shop. We have to do more to drag them up the other end of the High Street as that's where all the truly cool places are. Just kidding.
I have spent the entire morning trying to squeeze everything into a tiny box. Seriously, I don't know when 9.3 cm x 6.5 cm became so bloomin' tiny. In an attempt to save myself money I am endeavoring to do all my own adverts. It is a grueling task. It has taken every last ounce of patience to stop me from emancipating my mouse and keyboard from the computer and chucking them anywhere that isn't in front of me. You've heard of the term passive aggressive well the truth is I'm a passive passive so I merely think these things but never actually do anything about it. My advert is something I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to repeat/redo.
I really hope that I get more than 20 page views today as it will take me into 10,000 page views since I started. It is hard to believe that my ramblings have attracted that many readers. I keep meeting people who say they read my blog and my internal self censor alarm bell starts ringing. I know that I am totally honest about the ups and downs of my new life but I worry that I may be too honest. The reality is, that it is what it is.
I have  so much more to do on the computer that I really must get on and stop using my blog to procrastinate.

Invitation

Oh there's nothing like an early blog to loosen up your creative process. I enjoy having to rack my brains for interesting stuff to tell you about. I have been absolutely computertastic this morning. I have sent numerous emails and caught up on all my gallery correspondence. I now intend to spend the afternoon indulging in some drawing and maybe the odd thriller or two. 

The students came and saw Andrews' show this morning and I think they were all suitably impressed. I just sat and tapped away at my keyboard whilst he regaled them with stories of his cravat wearing art student days. 

I love the fact that Art College was this melting pot of people who without the restriction of compulsory school uniform tried an assortment of looks with varying degrees of success. I had a complete preoccupation with second hand shops and Dr Martens. I am pleased to say that there are no photographs of me in my possession but I have heard it rumored that they do exist elsewhere.

I remember vividly, everyone trying to figure out what it was they wanted to project and let the world see. The most adventurous thing was a nose piercing I know that today that is a very different story. In fact it is probably stranger to see a student without any piercing. How times change.

I know I continually bombard you with gallery related information but that is what this blog is for after all. So the picture is of the invite to Jims Private View.  If you can make it, you would be very welcome.

Day off tomorrow so that means that I have to go get a haircut in preparation for the wedding on Saturday.

I'll see you back here on Thursday! 

Driller Killer

I woke to the sound of drilling through brick this morning. It is not a pleasant sound and it was in fact so horrible that I sought refuge at the gallery. So for one week only, until my neighbours have finished their bathroom I will be opening at 10.00 and closing at 4.00 to dodge the crazy noise.
I'm fresh from the watching a double episode of a thriller called Case Sensitive. It was pretty good I didn't work out whodunnit. That's always a sign of a good thriller. I have had a productive day as I managed to get through a pile of jobs that I have been putting off.
I am getting some last minute interest in the Abstract show which is good it should be an excellent show.
I will just quickly report that the Hen Do was a roaring success and I think everyone that attended had a really good time. A note to one of my regular blog readers, I managed the pink perfectly, you'd have loved all the pink!
I just want to help publicize some of the events that are happening during Purbeck Art Week, some friends of the gallery are opening their studios to let people see their work. You can find all of this out on the website but you may just be looking at my blog on the random off chance.
The dates are from Saturday 21st May until Sunday 5th June.
Bonnie Brown and Brian Bishop are showing their work at  White Yard Studio which is 84 Kings Road West, BH19 1HR for all you Sat Navvers who like to be told exactly where to go. Georgina Fermer is also showing her work at The Crow's Nest, Cliff Place BH19 2PL.

Georgina Fermer

It would be great if you could go along and have a look, as the artists put a lot of work into opening their studios etc top the public and the more people that attend the more inclined they are to continue doing so. Please show your support by attending.
Now just another plug for Jim Hunters' show which will be held at my gallery also starting on Saturday 21st May with a talk on the Thursday 26th May.
I am looking forward to a visit from a group of students who will be coming tomorrow, to see their tutors show Andrew Piesley just before it comes down. I think it is good for students to realize that their lecturers actually practice what they teach.
One day I will reveal some of the random conversations that I have with visitors to the gallery. I know it will make a right riveting read which many of you won't actually believe.
Just a reminder for anyone planning to visit at the weekend, the gallery will be shut on Saturday as I will be wearing a skirt..........and attending a wedding. For those of you who know me and think my legs solely reside in denim they do come out on special occasions and this is a particularly special occasion.

With A Little Bit Of Cluck We Can Make It Through The Night!

It's time to reveal my geeky/guilty pleasure number two but I'm thinking that I might just save it for when I am struggling for something to write.
As I have just spent the last five minutes staring into space it would appear that time may well be now.
I have had another productive day at the gallery it would seem like I have hired the gallery space out for two weeks in October which is great. If ceramics are your thing you should definitely watch this space as I will be giving you all the details via my blog.
I have spent the best part of the day working on a pencil drawing that I think is going to take me as long as the other two that I did. I am planning to exhibit them as a triptych in the Abstract Open Exhibition. It is a big departure from my usual work but I am really enjoying the discipline of 'proper' drawing. I showed some friends my prints today that I forgot to mention that I did yesterday they made encouraging comments and I am hoping to start working on a whole new set of prints very soon.
I had to tell my friends about my imaginary business partner and they all thought it was hilarious but you just wait until I tell them about all my office friends........
With every wedding comes the inevitable Hen Do and what does a Hen do? Clucks apparently! I have the pleasure of dressing in pink(of which I own very little) and playing the dubious game pin the something on a someone. I have to leave work to go home and prepare some Tapas style dishes and then get pinked up. It should be a lot of fun. I'm just glad that tomorrow is my official day of rest.
I hope that you have all had a great Saturday, and have something lovely planned for this evening.

Guilty Pleasures

I want to start my blog today by telling you about one of the guilty pleasures that I enjoy at the gallery. Ever since I read my first Agatha Christie novel at the age of 11 (The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side) I have been addicted to thrillers/whodunnits. I have to read them and watch them whenever possible. I bet you're already wondering where this is going? Well, when I am producing my own work I often have programmes on in the background. Sometimes they are highbrow art documentaries but more often than not it's a thriller of some description. I watch them all, Columbo, Diagnosis Murder, Poirot, Miss Marple, C.S.I, NCIS I could go on but I know that you are already shaking your heads in dismay. I am so addicted that my sister has been known to call me Sharonica Fletcher, those of you who share my addiction will know which particular female sleuth that name pertains to. I get to listen/watch all of these without inflicting it on anyone else whilst drawing/painting or just generally being creative.
I'm going to tell you another one tomorrow, I don't want to fully reveal my geeky pleasures all in one blog.
Back to gallery news, I have had a chat with Neil my website designer about revamping the website as I want to be able to sell the art work on line as well. It looks like we have agreed to start working on that at the end of the month.
I have got some excellent work for what will be the revamped, repackaged Charity Auction and I am literally moments away from setting a date.
I hope that you all managed to check out the Purbeck Art Week website yesterday.
http://www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk/ Just incase you didn't get round to it.
I am very excited about being involved with it this year. I have already started to think about the next one. I think a showcase at the gallery of a selection of Purbeck artists could be great. We'll have to see.
I have got too many things to think about at the moment without adding to the list.
I am going to end my blog with a little story about my imaginary friend. I am notoriously bad at saying no. How about you? When you're put on the spot and you know that you should just say no but there's the nice bone in your body making you feel bad about it? Sound familiar? Well owning a business does tend to mean that you are quite often put on the spot in one way or another. How have I overcome this problem?, I know you are all dying to know.
I have at the tender age of 41 got an imaginary friend who I like to formally address as my 'business partner'. He/she has to be involved in all decision making processes especially where money is concerned. I kid you not. They are so silent they don't actually exist.
A thought just popped into my head about an idea for a thriller ' Gallery Owner Killed By Business Partner' or was it a cleverly staged suicide? Don't get me started.
Have a great weekend!!

Dates For Your Diary

I am happy to report that today has seen lots of people through the door. I have had some great conversations with all manner of people. It is refreshing to get some nice feedback and supportive comments.
There has been a lot less evidence of the window smudgers, having the door open seems to be working.
I have to tell you about the fact that there actually going to be two events during Jim Hunters' show at the gallery. The first is going to be on Thursday 26th May from 7.00. It will be a talk/Q & A led by Vivienne Light with Jim Hunter. You will need to visit the Purbeck Art Week site to get tickets for this free event. It's a definite must see as you seldom get to know the inspiration behind the work in a gallery and this is an opportunity to get it from the artists mouth.

Jim Hunter

Just to make it that bit easier for you I have put a link to the site here. Go to events and it should be there.
Whilst you are on there you could read about me too if you so wish as I have written an article about myself and the gallery. You'll find it in the 'latest news' column, I'd love to know what you think.
http://www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk/
There will also be a Private View of the work on the Saturday 28th May starting at 6.00 - 8.00. So there are a few dates for you to put in your diary. I hope that you can make it to at least one of them.
I would also like to give everyone advanced warning that I will be closed on Saturday 21st May as I will be attending the wedding of my right hand man Matt and his lovely fiance.

One Day I'll Fly Away!

There is always going to be a fly in the ointment at some point no matter how tightly you screw the lid on. That is true of this weekend. There has been a booking mix up and it has resulted in me having to postpone the Japan Charity Auction which is regrettable as I have only just received the posters and invites. Believe it or not that is the second lot I have had to throw in the bin. The first time it was because of a weird default setting that made them all skew whiff.
I am holding fire on setting anew date as I need to make really sure that there going to be no more hiccups. rest assured it will be as soon as possible.
For those of you who have been deliberating about whether or not you should put a piece of work in. You now have more time. Come and see me and drop something in. You know it makes sense.
I hope that you all had a good weekend. I did, I had to re learn a life lesson but the less said about that the better.
I would just like to urge anyone who hasn't been to see the current exhibition to do so. It is on for another week and the price of the work is very affordable to virtually every pocket. So please do pop in.
I have to also let people know my opening hours as people keep saying that they came to the gallery and it was shut.
I am open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 11.00 - 5.00, the only time that it might change is if there is a Private View as I will have to close for at least two hours in the preceding  afternoon to get the food and drink sorted. If in doubt just let me know or give the gallery a ring. I'd hate for you to have a wasted journey.
Obviously, Bank Holidays are an exception to the rule as it is usually during these that I get the rare opportunity to spend it with my family. So my opening times are a little more flexible then.
I am going to endeavor to produce my first work in nearly a week so no more blog writing for me.