Art in Bloom

I just want to say thank you to all of the people that came to the stand at the art fair. It was so nice to talk about how passionate I am about my work and to find out how much it is appreciated. So many of you said how much you like my paintings and a few really struggled to select one that they preferred over and above the others.

The ‘Winter’ series went down well. WinterBerry was often commented on and I have an order for WinterPlum as a print so expect that to be coming out soon.

WinterPlum

I have also taken away a few comments that will steer my work into a slightly different direction – something a bit more masculine. I’m thinking steely greys and mechanical looking but still floral!  A challenge but I’m very interested in it.

Maelstrom is a very dark and brooding painting that I did some time ago. It was snapped up quite quickly so a few more along these lines I think.

Maelstrom, a peony in torment

Finally, I would like to thank Annabel at ‘Reading Midweek’ for a very nice article about me.

Article about me by Annabel Langley from The Berkshire Media Group

So it was an interesting Tuesday as I made my way to Reading College to do my first ever radio interview on BLAST1386.com the student web radio channel.

AIRwaves is a one hour programme hosted by Suzanne Stallard from Jelly Reading which talks about Art In Reading, discussing projects that are happening in and around the area. Jelly are a local arts organisation who  are involved in all sorts of creative enterprises.

I was there to discuss the forthcoming Reading Contemporary Art Fair and to tell a little bit about why it’s a great thing to be involved in. Having been there at the very first event in 2010 I can honestly say it’s one of the friendliest fairs to exhibit at. Jelly will also be in attendance exhibiting art and running free workshops for children. (I hear it may rain at the weekend so a  great place to bring the children!)

Why you should consider exhibiting….

Those of us that are creative have generally always been, so we may draw, sketch, doodle, paint, decorate, create, make things but all at home in the security of our families who generally love what we do! Taking your work out into the public domain can seem terrifying but you really should try it. Most people don’t do it because they’re afraid of what people may say. Generally people only say nice things or the worst I’ve heard is that ‘it’s not really my thing’ which is fair enough. The upside is that lots of people say really nice things and that’s good for the soul.

The other reason they don’t do it is the cost. There are costs involved but you can start with one of the smaller stands and if you don’t put yourself out there nobody is going to know what beautiful work you can create.

To give you a bit more information here’s a very interesting interview with one of the fairs founders Sarah McAllister who, along with Deborah James, makes sure the event runs smoothly and enjoyably for visitors and exhibitors alike.

If you are thinking of exhibiting do come along at the weekend and talk to other artists – we’ve all stood where you are now, wondering should I?, and we all decided we should.

All across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and probably further afield than that, artists are busily, framing, packing, pricing and bagging to name just a few of the tasks required to get ready for an Art Fair.

One of the tasks I find myself doing is varnishing the new paintings that I want to exhibit and discovering that at least one hasn’t been signed. Now this probably doesn’t sound too difficult to remedy but it was painted in oils and oil paint should be left, ideally, 6 months to dry! So the questions I have to ask myself are:

• Do I sign it in oil and not exhibit it this time?
• Do I sign it in acrylic paint, which will dry instantly but with the probability that it will separate/flake off in due course because the background oil layer will continue to move as it dries thoroughly?
• Do I not sign it?

Come along to the show and find out what I did!

The other interesting task that I decided to do was to create new price labels that include a QR code. Now I didn’t need to do this because I have perfectly useable labels that include the logo, the name of the image, the size and the price.

The reason I chose to make extra work for myself was for all those of you out there that really like a picture but want to go home and see how it will work. This is a very sensible way to buy art and I will, if you are local, bring a painting around for you to see it in your own environment.

Alternatively to make life easier a QR code reader (downloadable to your smart phone or tablet) will enable you to scan the code and be taken straight to the relevant web page where you can see the picture you like in all it’s glory. Then, after you’ve looked at it at home and you decide you really like it you can order straight from the website.

Here’s a few for you to try out…

Precious QRcode

Flamboyance QRcode

WinterGold QRcode

I’m really looking forward to this years Reading Contemporary Art Fair. I missed last years event for a very good reason, it was my aunts 100th birthday! But these events are such a great opportunity to talk to people about what they like about your work and the kind of things that interest them that it will be good to be back this year.

If you haven’t been to an art fair before you should definitely come along. The Reading Contemporary Art Fair is a very friendly affair. A lot of the artists are exhibiting for the first time and will probably be as nervous as you are. Have a good look around. There are almost 85 stands with a wide range of work. You will be surprised at what appeals to you so keep an open mind.

The pricing will also be quite diverse. There is usually something suitable for all pockets and it’s also a great chance to get ideas for presents.

This year I will be launching a range of cards. They are photographic compositions created from the vast selection of photographs that I base my paintings on. I have two colour selections – pinks and yellows. Here are a couple of images to tempt you. If you like them come and see me on stand 46 and see the full range.

Rose greeting card

Daffodils greeting card

Although these works are from original material gathered in a Boston Spring I think they have a beautiful crisp winter feel about them. Although some have commented on the fact that there is equally a fresh summer feeling to them, like freshly laundered whites against a blue summer sky.

I am planning on there being a set of six with different compositions and accent colours. For those with a preference for accurate botanical works please look away because I aim to change the stamen colour to add a little something different – hence WinterBerry with it’s damson like highlights.

WinterGold

WinterBerry

All of the eggs enchanted London and achieved sensational prices at auction, which has benefited both Elephant Family and Action for Children. Thousands of Londoners and tourists hunted down the eggs to marvel at them and now they have all gone to new homes where they will be cherished for a very long time to come.

Pretty Polly sold for an impressive £2600 and, I’m so pleased, that she will be joining ‘Just Joey’ in the safety of his London home.

I must confess her stay in St James Park, whilst beautiful most of the time, had it’s scary moments. She was dragged from the lake one night, obviously by admirers, and abandoned on the grass when it was discovered that she didn’t want to leave! Thanks are in order to the Big Egg Hunt team who carefully floated her back in place.

I am hoping to go and visit her in situ so watch this space for photos but in the meantime here are some taken during the event

Karen and Pretty Polly in Covent Garden

Karen doing repairs in Covent Garden

Just a little video of Pretty Polly for your amusement

Pretty Polly is Egg 43 and is now happily floating in St James’s Park just about as close to Buckingham Palace as it’s possible to get.

Pretty Polly's nearest neighbour

It’s a great location and thanks are in order for Dillon from the Big Egg Hunt Team who came up with the idea. The map for egg zone 5 is available to download as are all the other maps. Twitter and Facebook are buzzing with people passing on information and photos and generally having a fun time. So if you want to be involved there are just over 30 more days to get out there. If you don’t have time to visit all the eggs all over London then wait until Easter Weekend when they will all be gathered together and displayed in one place.

The online auction has begun and all eggs have a starting bid of £300. Pretty Polly is just waiting for your bid. Don’t forget this is all in aid of two great charities – Elephant Family and Action for Children. One of the eggs – interestingly entitled ‘egg’ by Marc Quinn is currently at the hefty price of £9000 but the others are still very much affordable.

Just to finish up today here are couple of beautiful pictures taken by Steve Newton who has taken the time to get around all of the eggs although he is looking to redo the ones that have been sadly been damaged. If you want to see more of his eggy photos then you can find Steve on flickr

Evensong - 43 Pretty Polly by Steve Newton

Float Away - 43 Pretty Polly by Steve Newton