Meetings, meetings and beautiful views

Well in less than 24 hours this week, I've been doing arty things with different organisations.  The first saw me attending a post Art Trail meeting.  This was over at Burnham to discuss how this year's Trail went, ideas for an Xmas event, fundraising etc etc.  Whilst I was in the meeting overlooking the River Crouch - himself went off for a walk, armed with his camera, as the sun was setting.

The 2011 Burnham Art Trail will take place from 25th June until 3rd July.  But already the second weekend clashes with two other things in my diary.  It always happens this way, everything together or nothing!!

Next morning it was off to my EG Branch Meeting - this is a social meeting, bring your stitching and chat.  And very pleasant it was too.

In the afternoon, it was off to see my venue for the Rochford Art Trail in October.  I had a very constructive and helping meeting with Hazel from Mendoza Opticians.  Measured up the space, chatted about things, so hopefully it will all go well.  The Trail is new, so its a learning curve for the local businesses, but my small experience being part of the Burnham Art Trail, helps me to know what I can bring to the event.

And here I am, online and there's a message to say booking has opened for the ERTF November Conference: "Concepts & Meanings" in Norwich.  I'm so looking forward to this, I've had it pencilled in the diary for a while, just need to sort out the logistics of it all now.

So, its back to finalising all the paperwork that these few meetings have generated.

Which piece of paper first?

This is my workspace at the moment, trying to sort out , what where, why, when. I have my allocation for the Rochford Art Trail - local opticians, which needs a site visit and more paperwork completed. A form to complete post Burnham Art Trail. A piece of work to be made for my Embroiderers' Guild Branch based on the Tudor Rose. Another opportunity which I need to think about, all the paperwork there to be completed if yes. I've got to check over the EG Branch programme for next year - I've done the actual typing/presentation of, possibly another presentation leaflet to do as well. So glad our main computer is fixed - it came down with "the black screen of death". Luckily I save things to a separate hard drive, so haven't lost anything, but trying to work on a laptop, especially emails which save to there and then can't be re-accessed from the main computer.... sigh. And I was going to do stitching this morning.... may be after lunch now!! No-one tells you, that making the art work is one thing, but time needed for all the paperwork, labels, packaging, artist statements, cv etc - well that's quite another. I need staff!!!

Next... Sketchbooks... and 2011

My Burnham Art Trail display is all over for now. Items still available and for sale so do ask. And if you missed seeing them, you find pics on my web album - and some items will appear at my next Exhibition - 16th August - 24th September Rayleigh Mill Arts & Events Centre.
I have to make more work for that Exhibition, domestic issues have delayed everything, but then a friend said "what's the fun in actually being prepared in advance, the whole point is to work like crazy to the last minute". Actually last minute does make the mind focus, and force you into decisions.

I'm writing this, with one eye on the street, looking for the delivery van, to bring me a supply of sketchbooks. I've bought from Seawhite, (or Artsaver). Took me a long time to get comfortable with using sketchbooks, but then I discovered the size, form, orientation of the book was a huge factor. I prefer A5 portrait Euro Wire. I wish the content could be beautiful and make people oooh and aaaah, but my sketchbooks tend to look more like architectural records, with lots of measurements etc. But I've learned to relax and accept this is how my working information is recorded, and it suits me.

So why you might ask, is someone who doesn't do beautiful arty sketchbooks, signed up to The Sketchbook Project? Well I was looking to see what art things I had in the diary for 2011, came across the project and decided it was good to have a challenge for the long grey Winter months. I signed up on 18th June ($25 plus $3 p&p) and today (2nd July) my sketchbook has arrived. I've chosen the theme of Lines & Grids, partly because I realised lots of my work involves that at the moment. So to be posted off by mid Jan. Plenty of time... cough!!