Paintworks Autumn art market

..... is almost upon me! wow! So much to do this weekend.....

Needing a break

The last few weeks have been manic, what with Waz departing, the art market to prepare for, my bosses bombshell that she is leaving..... so much change, and not much of it the kind you can anticipate. We are both tired, and in real need of a holiday. Not sure when that will happen, as we have to get through a funeral first and the arrival back in the country of Dave's parents, so it may not happen this year. But as least we have something to look forward to......

We have booked a fantastic place down in South Hams in devon for our 4th Wedding anniversary in February. Here is the bumpf about it....

The property:
... a mile from Aveton Gifford, two very special places to stay within what was once a small family estate: an exceptionally well converted barn and a remarkable Grade II listed former music room. 300 yards down a tree-lined track off a lane, they flank a large pretty enclosed suntrap courtyard with fountain, flowers and flowering shrubs, shared with the friendly owners. Just outside the courtyard is a lawned walled garden (also enclosed) with camellias, fig and walnut trees, leading to another garden and 6 grassy acres with big trees to sit under. Spring water.

The Music Room is magnificent: detached, huge and incredibly romantic, once home to concerts and recitals, brilliantly converted. Three steps up to entrance into open-plan living/dining/kitchen with vaulted stucco ceiling, four massive arched windows with stained glass border running the length of the room (46' x 19') generating light and colour, polished wooden floor (rugs), large open fireplace, comfy sofa, home cinema, books, CD player, MP3/iPod; smart, discreet, fitted kitchen area (dishwasher, microwave); door to bathroom (suite with 5’ moulded bath plus bath-shower). The bedroom is the stage (up 3 steps), with 5' four-poster bed, all stunningly presented and lit.

And here are the pictures.....



















I can't wait!

TAFKA "Waz"

One of my favourite stories of Dave's grandad (Who i never called anything other than "waz")......

We were at a family meal. I hadn't been with Dave very long, so I was on best behaviour and a little nervous. Waz saw a friend, and proceeded to introduce him to everyone round the table. When it came to me, Waz paused. I wasn't sure how he was going to introduce me, but i certainly wasn't expecting this....

"And this is Karen, Dave's......hows yer father!" I mean, if there was any ambiguity, he could have just said friend!

He was also one of the only men on earth who could get away with calling me a "georgeous bit of fluff".

We will miss you Waz, you were a fine gentleman!

Observing the observation

One of the most difficult things about hanging my work on the wall is being around people when they are looking it and commenting on what they see. Often I think that I will try and linger near people who are looking at the work so that I can eavesdrop on what they are saying in response to the piece of artwork, but I am never usually brave enough. Its great to hear positive comments, but the negatives can be really difficult to hear. OK, the more hangings and exhibitions I do the better I get at not taking negative criticism to heart, but sometimes i still am amazed at how cutting people can be. The work is public property as soon as it gets on a wall, and some people feel absolutely no need to censor their opinions!! This year with "99,000" I felt much braver at hearing peoples responses to it. The piece itself was quite playful and not at all personal unlike much of my work, so I was much less likely to be affected negatively. Some people did not get it and were looking for the deeper meaning, some people commented on the drawing itself and lots of people saw the humour in it, which was exactly the response I wanted.

But it is always interesting to see how people respond. Some people walked straight past it, others lingered infront of it for ages (perhaps looking for the hidden meaning whaich was not there!) others engaged in conversations with their companions about the work. Part of me would love to know what they were saying, the other half is not brave enough. Perhaps I will get more brave the more exhibitions I do. Perhaps not! But I KNOW I will always find it interesting to observe other people as they observe a little part of me I have placed on the wall.....

Post Exhibition Musings

Its been a long time since the exhibition, and I have been meaning to blog, but sometimes life gets in the way. I think I need to blog a bit more about what has been happening, but all I do know is that my thoughts are being brought back to "change" on a regular basis at the moment....

But on to the exhibition. It was a great show, and poignant as it will be the last one I will be taking part in as a studio volunteer. I spent pretty much the whole weekend just hanging out at the studio taking it in, drinking tea and eating cake, chatting and absorbing the exhibition. I think this years show was the best yet, and I look forward to seeing how artists at the studio grow and develop over the next few years. It has been the be st three years of my life at the studio, and I will miss it greatly.

The hanging

Today I have been spending the day helping with the hanging of the Open Studio Exhibition.

The show looks AMAZING.

As ever, I am filled with pride to be part of such a fantastic place, but this years hanging was tinged with sadness due to it being my last ever before I leave. I think it is going to be an emotional weekend, and I can't WAIT to get photos up of it!