I have neglected this blog for weeks sorry but I have a small excuse. I have done a solo exhibit!!
What better way to complete my Diploma qualification I thought than to present to people what I had been doing the last two years this blog.
However things conspired to allow me to finish things off with a bang. I had the opportunity to fill (if I could!?) the Odlins gallery in the Hutt Art society, I had three months. I was excited and terrified at the same time, did I have enough material?
I went to an exhibit done by six other students down at the gallery to assess the space and boy did that freak me out. I had to do an artists statement, a biography and design a business card, I had to select and prepare for hanging 39 to 45 pieces (my estimate to properly fill the gallery)and I had to come up with Posters, postcards and an appropriate name.
I decided what pieces I already had, that were of a standard I was satisfied with, representing the last six months of my work and I was at least 15 pieces light!!
The term break was fast approaching, and this coupled with a very supportive family allowed me to go into high production, doing some things that I had planned to do in the future at my leisure.
There were some pieces that would be better displayed in a frame and my darling husband offered to have a go at making some frames out of some recycled 50x25mm rimu purlins we had stored. What started as 7 frames ended up with every piece except my daughters portarait (1x1.5m)box framed beautifully, so the housework was neglected again and the cars were parked out because the garage became a workshop. There was sweat split inside with 13 pieces done in three weeks and blood spilt outside in the garage with a planner.
The opening night went without a hitch and I appreciate every single person who came and supported me. A big Thank You to Paul, Samantha, my parents and Iris Kauffeld for all their practical and emotional help. I sold 7 pieces on opening night and 2 others after the exhibit closed. I sat down there 2 Mondays 2 Tuesdays 2 Thursdays and 2 Fridays painting and talking to the people who came to see my work, they were all so encouraging, it was an uplifting experience.
To round off all the positive things that have happened to me in the last 3 months I was given a scholarship to return to The Learning Connexion to complete the next stage, Diploma with Honours.
I was absolutely gobsmacked, shocked at the huge honour of being offered this opportunity.
I have gone back to school for the next two years, despite being skint and having a huge guilt complex about not working.
I will be updating the blog now at the end of each term with my latest artistic attempts.
