Help Me I Am Stuck!

Sound familiar? Well what happens a lot at the gallery is that people like to come in for a free tutorial. That's not so bad as I quite like to talk to people. If you know me then you know that is true.

Sharon James

The term 'artists block' seems too rear its ugly head with quite alarming regularity. I totally get it. When your actual life gets in the way of your creative one.
I think the first thing to understand is that in order to be creative you really need to have the headspace to think about it.

You are not alone! You have a day off and the intention of doing some art is at the forefront of your mind. Sounds good so far right?
So you sit down in front of your easel, sketchbook etc and wait for that creative spark that gets you working.

The spark that seems to be like trying to light a fire in the wind and rain with damp matches. I can almost hear the nods.

Well I have no magic cure, I'm sorry I wish I did because I would sell it by the tonne and be a millionaire by now.

I have looked online and tried to find some helpful hints and tips and the following link is pretty good. Just click on it and it will take you right there.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/creative-block_n_4943997.html

Sharon James

I have written before about getting involved with some daily drawing challenges. The idea is so simple in concept. Basically, a theme is chosen at random every day and then you respond using your given discipline.

How does this unblock you?

Well having to think about what to draw, is the very start of the creative process. Drawing things that you don't normally unlocks numerous possibilities. Seeing the work of others on a daily basis and feeling part of a group and hugely beneficial.
One of those drawings might just trigger a new body of work. The truth is it is a way of getting going with no real pressure.

Sharon James

I have used the challenges (I have done 3 months worth now)
, to set myself personal challenges. I did one month solely on my iPad. I learned so much about the various apps and how to simplify my drawing. This month I will be using a variety of media that I either don't like or haven't really explored.

I have used my iPad drawings from last months challenge to illustrate this blog. If you would like to give it a go then here are the Facebook pages of two of the groups that I belong to. You don't have to submit everyday if you don't want to. I try to do most days. Although I am yet to do todays challenge 'Market'. Still thinking about it.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/674798375903045/   This is called 31 Days of Drawing July

https://www.facebook.com/groups/770156319696450/  This is called Draw My Life Challenge

Take a look and if you are interested ask to join.

Have a productive weekend I most certainly will.

A Mini Review of John Gooch's Exhibition.

John Gooch

I have just taken delivery of my next exhibition at the gallery and let's just say it is really vibrant and colourful. It says 'summer' in every single picture. I hope that it goes down well as Nicola who paints them is lovely and her work is too.

Don't worry there will be some sneaky peeks coming soon.

There are still a few days to catch John Gooch if you are interested. I think you should be as the work is  really good. Let me think of some better adjectives. An eight line review to follow.

John Gooch combines 'plein air' with studio work to produce deeply contemplative paintings. Visitors to his exhibition have said that he is an excellent 'colourist'. I agree, but for me it his brush work that captivates me. There is something reminiscent of impressionism, pointillism and fauvism. Just a nod to them all really. His bold brush work creates luminosity in some images and brooding menace in others.
My personal favourites are three little studies. I have sold one of them. It is a clever painter that can paint a small yet powerful image.
It is quite a heady experience when you walk into the gallery and mingled with the smell of the sea is that of oil paint. A thoughtful exhibition with sufficient variety of imagery to please the most discerning visitors.

https://www.facebook.com/JohnGoochPainting/photos_stream

If you would like to take a further look at his work then check out his photos on Facebook. I have included the link to make it easier.

More importantly you don't have to take my word for it you can come and see it for yourself before it finishes on Saturday at 5.00.

I had a few takers for the idea of the guest blog so let's just see if they live up to their side of the bargain. I hope so. It is still not too late to get involved, you know how to get in touch.

There are days when you do and there are days when you don't and today is sadly a don't day. That just means that my admin cup runneth over. No time for my own work. I best get on with it other wise it will run into tomorrow and that I cannot have.

Would You Like To Be A Guest Writer On My Blog?

Sharon James

Today I am putting my money where my mouth is! I said I would happily publish someone else writing about their work on my blog. Are you up to the challenge?

You can send it to me via email as a Word doc preferably with pics. I can copy and paste it in here. Got an exhibition you want to talk about? Working on a an exciting new project that you want to share with the world?
I have thrown down the gauntlet, if you feel like getting in touch then drop me an email at lartishegallery@mail.com

Come and have ago if you think you are literate enough! (A bastardised football chant).

Why thank you kind readers. You smashed me through my 80,000 page views yesterday. Had some lovely comments and feedback too.

It is really disheartening when people are really negative about the things you write. My faith has been redeemed.

I am more than happy to help anyone who might want it with getting to grips with blogging, and social media in general. I do workshops at the gallery.
I can also open up a whole new world of art via your tablet should you have one.
You know where I am and my prices are designed to make it affordable to everyone.

I have so many new projects underway at the moment I could happily spend all day every day doing my own work.
I went to my special place (art wise) on Thursday. I went and bought some new watercolour paintbrushes in the following sizes 0,00,000 and a 1. For those of you who may not know what this means. It means I am painting tiny things and loving every minute of it.
It has been many years since I worked quite this small but I have the neck ache and tired eyes that I shall wear as a badge of honour.

I keep taking rubbish photographs of my efforts so I am going to desist and wait until I have finished and get them scanned so they look good. (That's what I hope anyway).

Here's s sneaky peek!

Sharon James

If You Ever Plan To Exhibit Anywhere...Read This! Or Don't You Choose!

It's been a while since I wrote a top tips blog as the last few were less than well received, largely due to stating the obvious apparently. If it is so obvious, one can only speculate about why people are still unable to do it.

Moving swiftly on!

I have written many a blog about planning an exhibition and publicising an exhibition. Today I am going to add a few more hopefully helpful hints and pointers.

1. Social Media IS FREE! New School, Hi Tech

I know it's hard to believe but it is. Why not not take advantage of it? I do all the time and I don't just mean Faceache as I like to call it.

Linked In
Twitter
Pinterest
Blogger
Google +
Facebook

These should all be weapons in your publicity armoury. I would happily post a guest written blog about their work. Especially if it helped to promote a current exhibition here or somewhere else.
Linked In a professional networking site, a great way to promote exhibitions to a target audience especially if you join the art forums.

I can now post my blog on Pinterest it takes me about two seconds. I have to add that I have also uploaded images of my own work and have a few followers too.

I haven't quite sussed Google + but I do post my blog on it on there every time I write one.

2. Old School - Low Tech

Posters
Postcards
Put up locally, in libraries, other art galleries, cafes, craft shops, art shops.

Listings are often free in local publications and Evolver will list your show if you are lucky and the
wind is blowing in the right direction.

3. Before the show is up how can you get people interested?

Some of the most popular pages that I see have studio shots, and regular updates of works in progress. This can be done via a blog, Facebook, Twitter. People are really interested in seeing the place the work is made. Smart phones make this super easy to do. Guess what it is FREE!

Invite EVERYONE to your exhibition, don't worry they won't all come. Do not put the distance barrier in the equation of who to invite. Let people decide for themselves whether they want to come or not. Not inviting them is a big mistake.
If you were really clever about it you could add a link to your website, or the gallery website, or Facebook Page etc and say there will be an opportunity to see photographs of the show for those of you who can't make it. Makes everyone feel included.
I get invites to exhibitions from all over the country I am happy to be invited.

3. What can you do when your show is up and running?

This is often a tricky one, I am very familiar with the dump and run approach. Once the show is up there's a big sigh of relief and a swift disappearance into the sunset.
The truth is that you can nurture interest in your show by being interested yourself. If you aren't talking about it why should anyone else? That isn't to say that there should be wall to wall bragging about your fantastic new exhibition.
You can do this.

A gentle reminder to your mailing list that didn't make the PV that it is still on and you'd really appreciate their feedback as they have bought work from you in the past.
Share updates from the gallery with your friends via social media.
If you know an artist friend is going to visit ask them if they would mind doing a ten line review of the exhibition.
How about an Artist Talk or a demo of your particular skill? People love to hear what drives the work. It's a really simple way to get people to engage with the work. They also like to see how things are done.

4. Interactivity

How can you include a visitor to your exhibition with your process?

Sketchbooks are by far the most straightforward way to do this. There is a real feeling that sketchbooks on display are relegated to degree shows. Why? I have no idea, I regularly show mine and people love to look at them. Being able to touch elevates the whole experience for people.
I know artists are fiercely protective of their inner most thoughts and drawings but.....

I also have the means to show video/photographs on a screen, most galleries do these days. A show reel of past work could contextualise your current work?

You could also include an inspirational object/photograph, poem, story. There usually is something.

Have great weekend!

John Gooch, Suzette Knight, Sharon James and Cecca Whetnall @ L'Artishe.

My gallery assistant Shirley has been super busy taking some fantastic photographs of the current work on show at the gallery.

If you need a cool reprieve from the sun then the gallery is a chilled cultural space that you would be more than welcome to relax in.

 I have been sharing the pictures all over the place so now I am going to share them here.

The gallery has a really nice feel at the moment as there is a nice variety of work on display. There is definitely something here for everybody. I hope that you get a chance to see it, although I have to say that Nicola Dennis's exhibition is so vibrant and bright that there will be no doubt about the summer being well and truly at the gallery.

A few people have been enquiring about whether or not I am teaching over the summer. I most definitely as so if you can let me know if you fancy a workshop sooner rather than later. I will be taking some holiday in August but I plan to be here most of the summer.

John Gooch & Suzette Knight

Suzette Knight

Sharon James

Sharon James & Cecca Whetnall

I am here why not pop in and say hi, if you haven't been in for a while it is always nice to see a familiar face.

I Curate Therefore I Am A Curator!

I do like a dictionary definition. It is becoming increasingly important to ensure people understand what my actual role is at the gallery. I have had people who think that if they supply me with their work that that makes them the curator. Sorry folks you are still the artist, that's as it should be. That is what you pay me for after all.

I hang exhibitions with two words in my mind 'cohesion and flow'. That is what I am thinking about I am not thinking 'put the two green ones together'. I am also not thinking about the narrative behind the work particularly. I am consciously thinking about hanging a visually cohesive show that works. It has taken me twenty years of hanging exhibitions to get where I am now and I hope that I will continue to improve as time goes on. 

When I write twenty years a part of me feels old and sad.

If I was allowed to (I am sort of allowed) I would be even more experimental with hanging but artists generally prefer a more traditional approach.

When I hire the gallery I take many factors into consideration. It isn't just about making sure it is fully booked. It also about making sure the right thing comes at the right time of year. 

This is more important than people realise. 

Swanage is a hive of activity during the summer which is fantastic. Is it the right time to put on a really conceptual abstract exhibition? Nope! 

It took me two years to learn that lesson. Keep it light for the summer. Spring, autumn and winter are the reserve of the more challenging art.

I am also now reducing the amount of solo exhibitions that I have as they don't pull in the people. I have taken several steps to address this and so far (touch wood) it is working. I now have a variety of work on show that has a wider appeal.

Anything to keep my head above water.

I am sure that the Tate never has to deliberate that much about times of year. They have a much deeper pocket than me. We won't even talk about the names that they can attract.

I think both of the definitions fit what I do at the gallery. I'd happily be an art museum if I could afford to be one. Sadly, I cannot.

Ok so the second definition 'gallerist' is starting be used more frequently now. I think it has come over from the States. This blog has put a squiggly red line underneath the word which means it is not in the built in dictionary. 

I think this is also my job title too. 

I can also chuck the word artist into the mix. But the truth is I am happiest with artist/curator. It seems honest and the most straightforward. One does inform the other in both directions.

All I need now is for the Sunday Papers to do a little article about the arty coastal town that is Swanage and include some info about the gallery and I might finally get on the national map.

Here's hoping!

Down To One Blog A Week? I Think Not

June @ the gallery.

I have another new exhibition so it's no wonder that I am totally exhausted. I am running a very tightly schedule of events this year and that means that there is only about 36 hours max between exhibitions. If it has been a while since you last visited then rest assured there will be some thing brand new for you to see.

John Gooch has some beautiful and thought provoking paintings in this exhibition. It is well work a look. I think it is the perfect balance between contemplative and simply beautiful.

I am pleased to announce that the gallery will be running it's first ever live demo of any kind. Nicola Dennis who is exhibiting in July will be demonstrating how to produce a silk painting.

Here's the kind of thing that she does.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/LArtishe-Gallery/139294739466476

Follow the link for further details. Do come along it is free and should be worth a look.

Nicola Dennis

She will be using one of my underwater photographs as inspiration for her work. How exciting is that? I love the idea of seeing an image transformed into a silk painting.

Her exhibition promises to be the perfect summer exhibition. It is light hearted, vibrant and lively a real crowd pleaser.

Tomorrow I will be tackling the interesting subject of what does a curator actually do all day.