What an amazing weekend!

At last I am coming up for air after a truly wonderful weekend.  I began to feel as if I had taken root in the studio but I honestly didn't mind because I spent four days meeting such lovely people that, apart form the fact that I was completely exhausted by the end of each day, I could have gone on for ever!

Non- functional jug

On day one I sold two ceramic pieces to total strangers which meant that I had already achieved my aim for the weekend so I upped my game considerably and posted here that what would really make my day would be if a gallery expressed an interest in my work.  They did and I am now chasing several different avenues for both my bronzes and my ceramics.  I find this hugely exciting. 

Suddenly I have people telling me that my creations are good and that they believe there is commercial value in them.  This feels so much more than when friends tell you the same thing. 



I love my friends dearly but they are always going to want me to feel good about myself and will massage my confidence accordingly.  This is different and very real.

Alice and Charlotte

I have spent today creating mailing lists and taking photographs of the work which has been requested in order to begin proper negotiations with the galleries.  I know that I must also get my website back up and running and that I need to give a lot of thought to professionalising my profile and to the route that my work takes between now and November.



Tubiform group

Carapace




In addition to beginning the Ceramics Diploma at City Lit in September I now have a long list of things that must be done in order to build a professional profile which, thanks to taking the first step and renting space at Wimbledon Artists Studios, is suddenly a real necessity.  Better stop wittering on my blog and get going then!

Moving the Goal Posts.

So this is a short post.  Life is short and I have a studio to run but I wanted to blog because I have reached my goal for the weekend - by Thursday evening!!  I had a great time on day 1 of the Open Studios event.  So many lovely people came into the studio and some even bought work from me.  I am so pleased! 



The trouble with managing to achieve your goals that easily is that you are tempted to move the goalposts for yourself though.  A great many business cards were picked up yesterday and a lot of interest was shown in various aspects of my work.  So I have set myself a new goal - with a much higher bar.  Wouldn't it be great if someone approached me from a gallery with a view to taking some work!  Now that really would be amazing!!

Nearer and Nearer draws the time

During school assembly as a child I thought this hymn had been written especially for me.  I hated my school.  Every time we sung this - and we seemed to sing it often - I changed the words, singing  'Nearer and nearer draws the time that will surely be when I can escape from this horrible place and finally feel free' at the top of my voice. 

The phrase returned to me this morning when I found a post on Facebook from Wimbledon Artists Studios  reminding everyone that there are only days to go until the Open Studios event.  This time the sudden feeling of panic that ensued was not mixed with a violent urge to escape.
  Instead I found myself experiencing a mix of anxiety and sheer excitement. 
For the first time, other than at college, my work is on display to the general public and to exhibition and gallery curators looking for talent.  At last I will get the opportunity to find out whether anyone actually believes that I can cut it as an artist.


I was talking to another artist who is in a similar position the other day.  He was telling me that he has told his friends that he is very happy for them to come and see his work but could they please leave their cheque books at home.  I hope my friends do come - I will be so happy to see a kindly face or two - but I rather agree with this sentiment. 
I need to know whether people who have never met me, and who don't feel they need to do me a favour, feel anything for the ideas that I come up with.  Can they relate to the fragility of my pieces and to the messages which I am trying to convey?  If they cannot then I shall plough on regardless.  But at least I shall know that I am only doing it to please myself.  Perhaps that's not such a bad idea anyway!



The shelves are painted, the work is up and priced - what a dilemma that has been - and the studio is ready to receive everyone.  I shall welcome friends, family and strangers with equal enthusiasm but I hope fervently that someone who has never met me before chooses to strike up a conversation about my work.  That will make my day!