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| I keeled over with effort of painting this massive tryptich |
Open Studio This Sunday 9th & Sunday 16th, 2pm-4pm
Having had some studio days before I am no longer a novice at it.... but a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and so I have succeeded in simply terrifying myself. Therefore I have been avoiding doing anything that needs doing . . this blog for example . . . . but I have been cooking . . inspired by Masterchef no less, I have been making ravioli. Needless to say, this is without the proper flour, or a pasta maker. Jamie Oliver told me all I need is the biceps of an Italian Mama. So this is what I have been doing instead of preparation for the Open Studio Days.
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| A bit bockety... but beautiful |
Cooking is good for the soul, if not for my sleep, because, of course, it is in the middle of the night that I think of all the things I still want to do... Fix my website . . . Especially the stuff I can't do myself . . .Chainsaw the tree from the driveway that's been there since the big storm last week. These are the tasks that haunt me in the early hours - the need to send emails, attend to orders and count the number of red mail bags left.
Creeping into my night also comes the memory that I never shared with you as I promised, the little movie I made while I was waiting for my calendars to arrive. It will always be mystery to me how i managed to post it on facebook accidentally, but still can't share it by email. You might be able to see it here
I also worry in the middle of the night that nobody turns up or worse, so many people turning up that there is traffic chaos on on the N11. And then there is the decking which can be slippy when wet and is currently covered in leaves. I don't want anyone sliding helter skelter into my lily pond, so more non-slip wire is down in most places (but not all), and a sign is going up at the gate (hopefully). I'll probably be wondering where my sparkly glasses got to as soon as my head hits the pillow tonight.
But the more I think about the open studio (especially in the middle of the night), I think it might be useful to mention some etiquette. The main expectation is that it will be relaxed and easy going. There will be an opportunity to be sociable and have mulled wine and mince pies, (alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions) and pick up calendar orders (if you made one). You can wear whatever you like (except your shoes in the house), and wellies are recommended, considering the forecast. There will be an opportunity to see some paintings and to buy if you like, but this is not an expectation.
The first time I had an open studio someone asked me for a price list and I fell into a fluster. It never occurred to me, and my guests were confused.... wasn't this the point of an open studio? I didn't think so, I said, as they walked away with a painting under each oxter. The second time I had the paintings and the list but no numbers to correspond with the paintings. I am very slow, people expect to see paintings in an artist's studio on open day. I'll do my best.
What to bring? I'd say bring an umbrella, bring a friend if you like, and be prepared to kick off your shoes in the house (but not in the studio...it is so cold underfoot that my own toes nearly fall off).
A final thing to be aware of, is safety. Take care to walk only on the decking that has wire on it. Park in the driveway, if you can and leave the wheelchair access ramps clear. If you don't like tight spaces and /or reversing, ask for help (hoot your horn). Leave no valuables visible in your car if you park along the roadway as cars have been known to have their windows smashed (even out here).
Shortly I will be heading off to the Christmas Fair at Newcastle Community Centre where I'll set up my stall, but not before I have a private word with the man of the moment, Santa.
But for now, it's time for breakfast,
with many thanks,
