In Memory of Stan Davis

Stan Davis

I know that I have been giving over the image part of the blog over to group 7 in recent days to help promote their exhibition. Today the honour goes to Stan Davis, sadly Stan passed away this week. He was a really great guy who was also one of my biggest fans. (I mean the gallery really). He was a regular to every exhibition I put on and we would often wax lyrical about art and other art related topics.

He was so modest about his own work but he truly was a gifted painter. I was fortunate enough to have him show a piece in my 'Abstract Open' a few years ago.
If you are unfamiliar with his work then please do take a look at his website, I have included the link to make it easier.

http://www.standavis.info/gallery.htm

It was a pleasure to have known him and I will miss our discussions.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Group 7 Exhibition Starts On Saturday!

Brian Bishop

I spent a few hours at the gallery assessing my handiwork and overall I was happy with what I had done. A few little tweaks and it is now done. I hope that you get the chance to see it.
I was supposed to get a few days of this week and as it has turned out I have been at work even more than normal.

I mentioned yesterday that I would be stocking artist books at the gallery. That's just one of the new additions for 2014. I will also a have a selection of Stephen Bishops new works on permanent display at the gallery. They will be in the studio, and will be changed quarterly as and when Stephen produces some new works.

There will also be a new purpose built browser in the gallery space which will stock a selection of original works by some well known artists and printmakers, myself included. I am hoping to do this in a clever sculptural way that will not encroach on the gallery space at all. It will add another feature along the lines of the glass stand.

I have an important meeting in the morning to look at the Charity Exhibition that I will be holding in February in aid of the John Flowers Bursary. I am hoping that we can get lots more young people on board and help them to achieve their creative goals.

A Whole Lot of Hanging Going On!

Martyn Brewster

I knew it was going to be a challenge and it was. I am hoping that Group 7 agree with my decisions. I am always keen to get it right and my plan is to sleep on it. I can visualise perfectly what I did in my head. It is very reassuring to be able to call to mind the gallery space in my head. I also think that if I had to I could probably tell you whose work is where.

I don't have a photographic memory I am just good at remembering. It is really helpful that I can do that   as I can go to sleep thinking of it and make a decision to change anything if necessary.

I am still thinking about what I can do next year to bring another angle to the gallery. I have decided that I am going to stock books that have been published by artists. They seem to be popular and it would seem that more artists are getting them produced. The other point to note is that no one in Swanage is doing it.

You know how I hate to have dirty windows well, as people like to drive on the pavement outside the gallery it has now become a regular occurrence. I arrived at the gallery today to find it liberally splashed with lovely muddy puddle water. The fact that I spent an absolute age getting them clean yesterday was a total waste of time. Oh well, you also know that I quite enjoy cleaning. Is it worth a strongly worded letter to the council or a general moan in the local rag?

Tomorrow I just have the price list and the numbering to get done and then I can make a start on the million and one other things that also need my attention. It's funny I envisaged a few days off this week and the truth is that I won't have any. Including my normal day off. Being your own boss has it's rewards but the downsides are also a bit annoying.

Group 7 Have Landed!

I have been doing an Autumn Clean, this is the longest time between shows that I have had since June. I have been living with the most awful stained carpet and none to special everywhere else. Not anymore it is very clean and fresh.

Just in time for the delivery of Group 7's work. It is going to be a challenging hang as it means really thinking about the contrasting and complimentary styles. Just as well I have a few days to consider what I am doing?

If you like a nice diverse mix of art styles then you know that you should definitely make it along to this exhibition.
I will be posting all kinds of interesting things about this group via the blog so keep checking back.

There isn't much gallery news as I have been focussed on doing the chores. But as I have an ear to the ground via gallery friends. You should check out this Grayson Perry Lecture. Here's the details.

In the first of four lectures, recorded in front of an audience at Tate Modern in London, the artist Grayson Perry reflects on the idea of quality and examines who and what defines what we see and value as art. He argues that there is no empirical way to judge quality in art. Instead the validation of quality rests in the hands of a tightknit group of people at the heart of the art world including curators, dealers, collectors and critics who decide in the end what ends up in galleries and museums. Often the last to have a say are the public. Perry examines the words and language that have developed around art critique, including what he sees as the growing tendency to over-intellectualise the response to art. He analyses the art market and quotes - with some irony - an insider who says that certain colours sell better than others. He queries whether familiarity makes us like certain artworks more, and encourages the public to learn to appreciate different forms of art through exploration and open-mindedness. Perry was awarded the Turner Prize in 2003, and is known for his ceramic works, printmaking, drawing, sculpture and tapestry as well as for his cross-dressing and alter-ego, Claire. The Reith lectures are presented and chaired by Sue Lawley. Producer: Jim Frank.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03969vt/

Have a listen and let me know what you think. Right I've got work to do. Until tomorrow.

Be Brave, Be Bold, Be Creative!

It's not every day that I am called brave and innovative. So I'll take that as compliment. It was regarding me battling through the recession with a smile on my face. I won't lie to you that these are hard times with art being fairly down the list of 'must have' priorities. But I believe in what I am doing and I will keep on pushing to bring new art into the South West from as wide a spectrum of artists that I can lay may hands on.

The shame of it is, is that there is a wealth of opportunities that are not being tapped into by the wider world. But you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink. I haven't given up all together I keep having conversations that I hope will eventually fall on the right ears. As opposed to the deaf ones that I keep talking to.

Well it is the penultimate day of Stephen's exhibition and it has been well attended. I hope that you have managed to see it. Stephen is giving one of his paintings to a charity details below.

Please support the Gully's Place Trust Fund.
Artist Stephen Bishop has donated Sunrise - Swanage to this worthwhile cause which the Trust will either auction or use in the suite.

To contribute see 

https://www.poole.nhs.uk/support-us/poole-hospital-charity/gullys-place-trust-fund.aspx

I like to see that artists can support good causes by doing what they do best. 

I hope that you have something great planned for this weekend, I am quite excited about the fact that we are back into the 'roast dinner' weather. I have enjoyed salads but nothing beats a good roast dinner after a brisk walk.

I Am Amazing, Brilliant and Superior! Thanks for Asking!

It is difficult motivate myself sometimes. I think this is the downside of being on your own a lot of the time. I have made myself do things today but the thing I happiest about is that I have added to my installation piece 'Bird Box'. A job that I have been meaning to do for months. 

Martyn Brewster

 

                                     Stephen Bishop

I am also writing a new blurb to go on some flyers that I am about to get printed. Of course this involves a lot more research on my part as there are words that you should use and those you should avoid. 

I am going to run it past my assistant Shirley. She's really good at making sure I big myself up. By me I mean the gallery obviously. The thing about marketing, is it seems like one big ego trip, saying exactly why you are great, better than the rest. 

It is not sufficient to say 'because I am'. There is more required from you than that. It is amazing how much advice there is available for free on line. It just takes time to trawl through it all.

I have to say that the Americans are really paving the way for all the free content on line. Which is a shame because I am sure that there are lots of small businesses in Britain who have valuable input to give small businesses.

There are two more days of Stephen Bishops exhibition I hope that you will get to see it before it goes at end of business on Saturday.

It has been a really good show, but what puzzles me is that people have been loathe to write in the visitors book. I'm wondering if it is because I moved it from its former dwelling place. It will be going back but seriously what a difference 1ft makes.

Nearly, the weekend and the forecasters are full of gloom and that means that we should be full of optimism and brightness. It's a challenge, I dare you. Yes you.

Buy or Not Buy There Is No Try!

Fran Donovan

My blog won't let people post comments. I am annoyed at that as I love it when people do. The weekend was a busy one buy alas no sales.

I have to tell you about a strange phenomena
 that seems to plaguing my existence as a gallery owner. I know I have spoken before about people who enjoy the squirming and wriggling that galleries do to get a sale. It seems that there could be a new breed of people who enjoy making the gallery owners do 'the sales pitch'. Who have no actual intention of buying anything. Why do they lead you into this horrible situation?

If you don't want to buy it, you really don't have to. It won't be held against you as long as you don't spend excessive amounts of time wanting to discuss your indecision between one thing or another. Then leaving empty handed. Do not misunderstand me, part of my role is to discuss the work on show with any interested parties. I am more than happy to do that.

Please don't tell me you are definitely going to buy something and it is simply a matter of choosing which one. If that isn't true. It seems to be happening a lot recently. I understand times are tough and spending any sum of money should be carefully considered.

It is difficult being a business owner sometimes because you have to be strict about things and like most people I like to back down and roll over fairly easily. Fear of confrontation they call that.

There are some good things going on that you can get involved with should you be so inclined.