Counting down.....

Tick, tick tick… that’s the clock and also my brain. Its countdown time to delivering my piece for the ERTF Concepts and Meanings Exhibition in Norwich, opening next week. My piece was finished for submission, but I keep looking at it, I added a label to it, rather proud of my efforts actually, how sad it that – but the label is integral to the piece, not just identification of me.

I’m also sorting out the pieces for the ERTF shop. I hesitated over showing you what I’m offering, as you know the actual exhibition piece has only been hinted at here – because I believe visitors should have first look (might add it here part way through event). But I have decided to show you my intended shop pieces, hopefully to:

a) remind to take money with you, lots of opportunities to buy. Exhibition pieces will be for sale – but also in the ERTF shop, an opportunity to get small pieces of affordable art from the Members, also goodies to use in your own creativity.

b) the ERTF needs the sales, commission from the sales helps with funding for the organisation.

c) I NEED the sales, ha ha. Nice to sell something but as well as money received, its also very nice to know that others like what you make, a validation that you are getting something right.

So come along, I’m sure you will find items to suit every budget – early Christmas present buying, and the ERTF Members will be stewarding, so you can chat to the people involved with the Exhibition. I will be there on Monday 3rd October.

And still tick, tick, tick, as I’ve another exhibition to put up next week….

Plus tick, tick tick. The Material Girls need the hanging finished by our October meeting.

Another plus, tick, tick tick. Rochford Art Trail to make a postcard for and to prep for display.

Dragons & Dungeons (well cellars...)

What do you find at the end of a handrail in Dragon Hall?

Saturday I attended the ERTF conference in Norwich - my third trip "home" in four weeks, but this time purely for my own indulgence.
It was a wonderful day, I enjoyed it immensely.  Met up with old friends and new, the more you attend these things the more people you get to know.  The subject was "Concepts & Meanings" looking at how other artists facilitate their work, and the subject matter of the ERTF's next exhibition in September 2011. What struck me about all the speakers, was there was no apology for working that way, not that there should be, but often when you have off centre processes there can be an overwhelming need to justify it - but I listened to confidence, this is me, my process, it works for me.... unless they managed to keep that horrid doubting gremlin firmly in place for the talks.

Two people struck chords with me.... Debbie Lyddon, made textile art from listening to music - you can read more here. Having myself done drawing to music in art classes, I understood the process behind this. Dare I say it, back in the day, a lifetime ago, I also learned to type to music... try explaining that to a 12 year old niece! Heck what's a typewriter? Combining the unusual for an end result, not such a leap for me. Les Bicknell, a book artist, also gave us much to consider. A real fun practical exercise, which combined, sound, mark making and words made into a simple book structure. I've done similar exercises, but its a rare and wonderful pleasure to use the written word to inform design ideas... it seems at odds when you favour a visual creative result... but for me, I find words describe my vision far better than any sketch I make.
I had a good wander around Dragon Hall into the cellar/undercroft, found all sorts of hidden gems, as it will be the venue for the Exhibition in September.  I've signed up to submit for it - its juried, so a new challenge for me. The day, the place, inspirational, just need to think about making work to live up to it - mhmmm may be the design exercise, I could write a story illustrated by artwork, now that really would be a new Concept for me!!!