Well Art Trail is over for another year. I think quieter than other years, but its
undergone adjustment with change of people taking charge.
No sales or enquiries for me. Not really surprised, and true I would love to
sell loads, but I think there is a huge issue with people not understanding
textile art. Recently I've been adding
further info labels, like ready to hang, or suitable for framing, even adding
sizes, but it doesn't seem to help. But
may be its as a friend says, sometimes the art needs to be shown four or five
times before it finds a home.
However selling is not the entire reason for doing. As I always say its the challenge of the
deadline, the display etc and being part of a community. Its another element, my Venue (opticians) are really
nice, when I walked in to collect I was introduced to the receptionist
"this is our art trail
lady" and when I left it was "we'll see you next year" - which
is really lovely of them. I certainly intend to fill out my application again.
I wish other businesses would partake, several have the
attitude of "I'm not giving up my selling space to someone
else". Its 10 days, lots of free
publicity, may be someone won't buy from a shop during Trail time, but that
doesn't mean they won't come back in a week or a month, find shops they've never seen before, visit Rochford for the first time, to return.. I don't see promotions, ie buy something now,
and get x% off further purchase within a month. I sometimes wonder if places are full of idle rich playing shops, as so unwilling to promote themselves. Obviously don't need more sales/marketing. I can only see it as win for
artist, win for business, win for community..... and don't get me started on the office
type businesses, with windows full of posters, sellotape remains and the
occasional dead fly... we artists have an eye for making displays, for self
promotion, (ie a free window dresser) and that business won't get me through
the door. And yes, I have exhibited
where I've had to sweep away dead flies... but we'll forgive an historic house!
Whilst stewarding I had some lovely chats with fellow
artists, learned about their practice and how their art is perceived, who their
audiences are. Was introduced to someone
who immediately said, we did an art class together. We did, back in 1996. In fact we started off at college and then
went on to have private lessons, so I think we spent two possibly three years
together. I still find drawing
difficult, I can manage enough for me to know what I mean, but actually doing
gives me a raging headache. I think its
because I'm more naturally an abstract art person, I'd love a flower to look
like a flower but I'm happier making
my lollipop flowers! I've long given up
the fight of trying. I did the drawing a
day once upon a time. It was all the
rage everyone did it, supposedly every day for a year, or more. I lasted six weeks, but the drawing less than
that, my efforts became playing with paints, colour, texture.
Yes, I did these, passable, but stonking headache making,
Far happier with this kind of play
So one of the things in my future arty plans, is to allow
myself to have some fun messy play time, get the paints back out and play. I'm hoping it feeds into my actual work, but
I need some arty fun without an end purpose before I've even opened the paint
pot.
WATCH THIS SPACE
Come back in a few days when
Exciting News to be Revealed!
