THERE’S ALWAYS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
2022 is turning out to be a year full of ‘firsts’ for me.
The first time I’ve had the guts to go for it and open my own art studio. The first time I’ve shown my work on Instagram, built a website, sold a piece of my artwork, or taken on an art commission. You could say, this is the first time I’ve allowed myself to acknowledge the fact that “I am an artist!”. And right now, it’s full steam ahead for my first show which opens 10th October in The Art Centre Cafe at the Guildhall Theatre in Grantham.
My exhibition is Inspired by the amazing and the ordinary! The people I love, the places I’ve seen, the mad and the mundane, the flotsam and jetsam of a life lived to the full - and the desire to make the most of every single day. It is summed up in the last line of a poem by Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Well, my plan is to make the most of every opportunity to have fun and bring joy into my life. And this is definitely excitement and trepidation all rolled into one! My first ever show - what was I thinking? Can I really be doing this? And the answer is YES, of course. As mother used to say “There’s always a first time for everything!”
So, the last few weeks have been a flurry of action! Finishing off works that were in various stages of completion. Changing some altogether, and starting new pieces to complete a series. Adhering works on paper to cradled panels (another new skill I had to learn fast). Then came the isolation coats, the varnishing, and deciding where to sign my name - even HOW to sign my name! Picking a style of frame that would work across the range was a tough one, but I’ve always loved the St Ives frames. Trouble is, the frame moulding arrived as pieces, and needed making up into frames to fit all the various paintings. (Note to self: next time, pick a couple of popular frame sizes and make the artwork accordingly. None of these random sizes that simply depend on which paper you picked up on any given day, and how much was taped off!
However, I consider myself one very lucky lady. I have a talented husband that can turn his hand to just about anything and he has made all the frames and cradled panels for me. His man-shed has been a hive of activity. He must have glued and screwed 20 frames for me in 2 weekends! I did all the sealing and the painting of them though, so I did my bit. I’m so thrilled with how the paintings look once framed - it has really given my confidence the whack of ‘woohoo’ it needed!
So, my first show is coming soon! And if you happen to live anywhere near Grantham, or are passing by and fancy popping in, please do, I’d be thrilled to meet you. The exhibition opens 10th October and runs for 2 weeks.