Create Yourselves A Very Merry Christmas!

Do I get to mention it just once more? I think I'm allowed. The Bizarre Bazaar was a success and I hope that we will be organizing more in the new year. If you are interested in getting involved let me know as it really is a case of the more the merrier.
The count down is on to my holiday. I cannot wait, I was not meant to live in this cold climate. The bad news is it looks like where I am going to be staying in England for the foreseeable future.
It has been a funny old day at the gallery. It would seem that I am open for visitors, there have been plenty but it has meant that I am now rushing to get my blog written before I close.
I have been doing all my gallery housekeeping today, I like to leave it nice and tidy for Shirley so that she doesn't have to do any of the boring choredom of cleaning.
I seriously am a little in love with window cleaning. It is very satisfying to do, I like it whether I would enjoy it when it's freezing and I'm on my 20th window I seriously doubt it. A lot of 'serious' in those last sentences. I have obviously been watching far too much american television. But I do love it, it's like totally awesome!
I have to finish sending my gallery christmas cards, I hate the whole handing them over bit. I like to do it under the cover of darkness when no-one is around. I have received plenty of thank yous and everyone comments on how neat my writing is. It's true I do have impossibly neat writing but it has taken years of practice. It also helps that I was a teacher for 15 years. Nothing hones your skills like writing on a whiteboard for groups of people to be able to read.
I've also been perfecting my signature for ever! When you have to sign 1,000,000 + EMAS every year that'll also do it. All you teachers know exactly what I mean. I may have exaggerated ever so slightly.
I just remembered a comment that one of my teachers said to me many moons ago. I am very good at making things look nice and was often guilty of 'style over content'. Probably still am on some levels.
I am putting my festive greeting in todays blog as I wanted to remember to do it.
Finally, I want you all to think about donating to a charity this Christmas. If you are reading this you are already many many times more privileged than many many people. Seriously* I am not preaching but that loose change in your pocket pop it in a collection pot. If you can do more then please do more. You know it makes sense.

Me, A Parrot? Bizarre Bazaar, Bizarre Bazaar, Bizarre Bazaar!

What more can can I do to get you to come to Swanage? I could let you know that there's free parking in Swanage every Saturday until Christmas. Main Beach off Victoria Avenue that should save you a couple of quid, that you can spend at the Bizarre Bazaar. I will be giving away a free mince pie with every purchase. I will do everything in my power to make you come and see what extra special goodies I have for sale. I know there will also be some ceramics, art, jewellery, and some cool retro stuff. Collectables if you are into pop memorabilia and musical instruments.
I haven't got anymore to say other than please come and see me.
The gallery has been quiet for the last couple of days but I have to admit that I'm glad as I have been fighting this stupid cold and my head has not been totally on the job.
Wow, it's amazing that a nasty cold can addle your brain so effectively that you can't string a sentence together. But I did manage to teach for two hours yesterday. Admittedly, I did have to go and lie down in a darkened room for the rest of the day. They're great kids and I'm going to be working with them a lot more next year.
I'll be working a split shift at the gallery tomorrow. I'll be at the market in the morning and I'll be back at the gallery in the afternoon. So if you're over for the day you can come and see me at both places.

Bizarre Bazaar This Saturday!

This Saturday in Swanage

Unfortunately, I have succumb to the dreaded lurghy and spent my day off in bed with only tissues and Lemsip for company. I had the occasional cat but they were not huge fans of the bed shaking sneezes that I kept doing. They eyed me with disdain before jumping off and settling down on a pile of clean washing. Brilliant!
I am feeling sort of better today, I don't feel well but I have been able to get myself to the gallery where I am waiting for my two new students. I was seriously thinking about canceling but I hate doing that as I am a professional. If I keep telling myself that then one day it will be the truth.
I am worried that it is a case of you feel not too bad when you get up and the more you do the worse you feel. I'm feeling considerably worse than I did earlier.
A few things I want to mention, firstly The Coop which is an artist co-op working out Bournemouth. They are based above The Winchester, are looking for an artist to fill a studio space. The rent is a very reasonable £52.00 ish all in. From what I hear the spaces are great and the people are very nice. So if you are interested let me know and I'll ass along the details.
Secondly, The Bizarre Bazaar is this weekend on Saturday. I willing myself well for them as I have goodies to sell. There is going to be some great stalls there, if you are looking for that unique under a £20 gift that is pure quality then you know where to go.
I hope to see you there.

Feeling Blah But Still Selling Art!

I am afraid the lurghy that has infected everyone else may well be upon me. I am not happy about it. I can't afford to be ill, fact! So I am dosing myself up with 'make it go away' drugs so let's hope they work.
Yesterday was a great day for sales and it would seem that today is too. Sold another piece this morning. If this keeps up I may well be able to retire when I'm 70!
I have to keep getting the people through the door and keeping them here long enough to get them to part with some cash.
I am ready to offer mince pies as bribes if necessary. You have been warned.
There's some new pieces in to replace the ones that have sold so please come and check them out as they might be just what you have been looking for in terms of that unique Christmas present.
I have as usual been working down my list of things to do and I growing steadily more perturbed at the fact that it does not seem to be getting any shorter. For every job I finish I manage to add another one. It wasn't meant to be like this.
I am struggling to string any more sentences together so I am going to admit defeat and keep this blog mercifully short for your sake as much as mine.

3 Sales On A Monday! Lovely!

Cooler Than Cool, Ice Cold!

I am no longer contemplating! I am moving onwards and upwards, that being said I made two sales this morning in the first 20 minutes of being open. I told you that there is some great art to be had and people are already taking advantage of that, so why aren't you?
Excellent news, I wish every Monday morning started off like that. I would be a very happy gallery owner.
I know I mentioned before that I will be teaming up with Jan Dagley to deliver some printmaking and painting Master classes. We are trying to come up with a name to call it so we can maximize our internet presence.
We had a good brainstorm this morning and I now have a new list of things to do. How I love my lists.
Saturday was good, I'm not sure the amount of mulled wine I got through was indicative of how many people actually came through the door. I heard the word 'moreish' mentioned once or twice. I thought it was a bit blow your head off myself but then again I am not in the habit of drinking red wine mulled or not in the afternoon.
We have also raised £42 so far for the Langton Matravers Pre School rebuild fund. this was achieved by selling raffle tickets to win a limited edition Nativity Booklet that was beautifully made made by the very talented local printmaker Debbie Lee. Since I started to write this blog I have sold one of the booklets so lets call it £57 raised so far. I would like to raise a nice even amount so I guess we should aim for £100
I am starting to feel the cold at the gallery. I think the thermals may have to come out soon. Not bad considering this time last year they had already been on for a month by now.
I have got so much to think about right now I should keep my blog brief otherwise I am in danger of not getting everything finished that I need to by 5.00.

More Questions Than Answers!

Today finds me in a contemplative mood. Sometimes I think that it is a good thing but on the whole I'm not really a very good navel gazer. I have heard things today that I cannot quite believe but it has clarified everything for me. Can you tell the difference between good art and bad art? Is there such a thing? Or are there just different levels of expression? All art is good art, is that the case? If you follow this chain of thought through to fruition ALL art education is pointless. If you can create a piece of art then that is sufficient to qualify as valid, why learn how to improve your skills?
Every year the general public at large are left bewildered and confused by the Turner Prize. Relegated to Channel 4. It's not real art is it? Or is it? A bed, an empty room? What is real art? Something that is created to look like the original subject? Is that art or is it copying? Is the art better than the real thing? I don't know about you but I have some answers to these questions as I have spent the last 25 years learning and teaching art. Does that make me qualified to tell the difference between good art and bad art? I hope so, otherwise there are loads of my ex students who have been wrongly given excellent grades. I would hope that is not the case as I will have done art education a huge disservice. If I don't like a piece of art can I still judge whether it is good or bad? That is a resounding yes. Whilst I would not want it in my home I can appreciate the level of skill, the thought process behind the piece. To dislike a piece of work is a valid response to that piece of work. Therefore it has worked. Should all art be aesthetically pleasing? Should it look 'nice'? Do Francis Bacons pictures look nice? Is he a good artist?
Opening an art gallery would also have been a big mistake. I would love this to be an open debate as I would like to hear how people perceive it.

Francis Bacon

I have reflected, now I can move on to gallery related news. I am all ready to host the private view later on today and I hope that it is big success. I have been reading the mulled wine recipe several times just to make sure that I get it right. Never made it before. I am really looking forward to my day off tomorrow as I have worked 6 days this week and I am a little tired.
I have just counted how many questions I have asked and not answered. Impressive. I have been telling you all week about all the things that are happening in Swanage this weekend so I hope that you will make the effort to visit.

Swanage, Be Here This Weekend Or Else!

Starts on Saturday @ 3pm

It has been rather busier than I thought at the gallery thanks to the quick work of those involved in the last exhibition and those involved in selecting the new exhibition. Thank you all, this allowed me to get the show up yesterday I thought I would spend the next two days doing it. I don't know about anyone else but when I start something I have to finish it. That's how it was yesterday. It looks really good, some nice pieces and if you wanted to get something original and affordable there are definitely some great things at the gallery.

I know that I have been going on and on about the fact that Swanage is the place to be this weekend but I have found out that there is even more happening than I thought. The Photographers Lounge is having it's Christmas Drinks/Sale Event. I would seriously consider leaving the car at home and get the bus as there will be so many free drinks available on Saturday it might be the best plan.

Culture, market, exhibitions, mince pies and mulled wine what more could you ask for on a weekend in the run up to Christmas.

Today I am going to get my exhibition labeled and priced and then I'm going to try and find a place to put up my Christmas tree up at the gallery.

Tree is up but it needs lights to make it shine. I am going to get hold of them tonight so that will be a job for tomorrow.
I have labeled, typed up price list and cleaned and now it is time to go home.