Art@41: ....concept of things....

Art@41: ....concept of things....: ...I always thought having my own art studio was some-what a dream.....so, maybe a bit corney but...humming the lyrics by Gabrielle....&quo...

Art@41: Art@41: ....and the studio works!....

Art@41: Art@41: ....and the studio works!....: Art@41: ....and the studio works!.... : Its been action stations  since my studio got the electrics completed....I've been in there most...

....concept of things....

...I always thought having my own art studio was some-what a dream.....so, maybe a bit corney but...humming the lyrics by Gabrielle...."dreams do come true"...

I love the space and can't believe hubby was kind enough to build it for me....so, yes I do know how lucky I am. Having time to think about, and the concept behind why artists need studios, I feel that it not only works really well but is also a valuable asset too! 

NYOS was a great success, although it was interesting how many more people came to see me who weren't from Scarborough, which means they came over to Scarborough especially for NYOS and to enjoy the art that we have to offer.....One of my neighbours came and thoroughly enjoyed looking at my work and talking to me about it....she was amazed with what I did and right next door too! she even sent over her daughter, son and their families too....my street really seem interested and supportive and I really appreciate the time they took to all call in and say hi.

Having survived two weekends of the ever changing weather conditions, it didn't really deter too many for the Open Studios,  the hardened campaigners walking through the torrential rain and hailstone....to be quickly dried out with glorious sunshine...we definitely sampled a fair selection of weather combinations! I loved the fact that I shared many a discussion about where we as artists work. There was, I am very pleased to admit, a lot of shed envy! and to all those who asked I got the shed from Garden buildings Direct, based in Nottinghamshire. I'm pleased with most of it, some things were not to my liking but, overall its a good quality building. Sharing stories about their prized sheds always seemed to bring a sparkle to the tellers eye, and now I can see why!

I hope I get the opportunity to join in the event again, hopefully Hubby will join in too this time.

I dropped off my work at Zillah Bell gallery on Tuesday

....I love the atmosphere of the gallery and even had a sneak peek at the new viewing area upstairs, its really impressive and can't wait to take a really good look next Friday at the Private preview evening of "Yorkshire Coast. From Saltburn to Spurn point."

The exhibition starts on Saturday 29th June until 20th July

Open Monday to Saturday, 10 am - 1 pm and 2 - 5 pm
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

 Zillah Bell Gallery, 15 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1PQ

....If you manage to get to see the exhibition, let me know what you thought please.

After my last few pieces went on the wall made from bits of old tea chests etc I found myself looking at my work and reflecting on how I seem to enjoy the challenge of incorporating different materials. I spend ages sourcing familiar mediums, figuring out how they can feature within my work, what makes 

their connection and is the concept worth working with, and how then to develop it.

....Another thing came to light on the build up to NYOS....when asked where the pebbles were that I have drawn, I realised I've never said! Once I discover a pebble I like I record where I found it, take a photo,  draw it, investigate its make up etc....almost archival....then either take it back to where I found it (within reason!) or simply take it to my local beach, releasing it to continue its journey. I realised that's where the tags and labels came into play....like going on holiday, or like a museum archiving information, we record or document on luggage labels and tags etc  logging information such as where we are going,...., similar to Chronicles of new destinations & journeys etc...

I'm taking some time to source some new materials for new work...I have some ideas, but need to try them out. I'm also spending time  in my studio to re-visiting books and artists, and unpacking even  more books and, after having stuff packed away for a while....enjoying finding all sorts of hidden treasure I forgot I had!

I forgot to mention we went to this years Fine Art degree show....can't believe this time last year it was me exhibiting there!... anyway....I really enjoyed it and thought I'd post a few of the photos I took so you can see for yourself...

Bridget Askew

Cathy Cassidy

Catherine Bainbridge

Janet White 

Helen Bowes 

Chloë Elizabeth Rodwell

There were a lot of 3D, sculptural pieces compared to last year and I really enjoyed walking amongst them all, so varied and unique. These are just a few photos I took of the artists taking part, and yes I did ask permission to take photos for my blog!

...well its eventually stopped raining and the weekend has yet again flown by (again!)
Thanks for reading and back again soon, bye

Art@41: ....and the studio works!....

Art@41: ....and the studio works!....: Its been action stations  since my studio got the electrics completed....I've been in there most evenings until about 10pm...and o...

....and the studio works!....

Its been action stations  since my studio got the electrics completed....I've been in there most evenings until about 10pm...and often there before work in the morning too!....but can you blame me?... its warm, dry, lovely and light...spacious and very comfortable....and at the moment - very clean and tidy too!

I have to confess I haven't moved everything in yet....almost...but I have been told that I have to vacate the spare room of the rest of my "stuff" after NYOS so hubby can have his long awaited room of his own to use as a dark room/studio!

You can just see the two large pictures I completed recently..."moving on" and "on the move" they seemed to be attracting a lot of discussion over the weekend... a rather old tea chest collapsed while packing and, as always, rather than throw it out I have added bits of it to make a 3d pebble collection...even with bits of the see-thru paper lining and foil!....the concept being that pebbles are always on the move! discussions about salvage, burn marks or not burn marks, fragility of the coast, rock formations....I really loved the discussions they raised and look forward to next weekend... NYOS has been a good experience and I would like to apply again next year, but with hubby and his photography too...

 ...on Friday these maybe going to  Zillah Bell for their  "Yorkshire Coast, from Saltburn to Spurn Point" exhibition. 

I've established an area to have as my work station in my studio that has lots of natural light, and all my storage to hand, I can see our home, along the drive - just in case someone comes to visit and also Peasholm Park, well the tree tops and at the moment lots of clear blue sky....

...so all in all I'm a very happy artist!

mood rail and nick-nack printers tray

I've re-housed my comfy chair and stack of cushions so I can relax and muse over ideas while sitting in comfort!...however I only have one chair so I might have to scout around for another as I don't really like odd numbers!

....I've hung a load of tags inside my vintage laboratory scales case...one thing I love to do is display my hoards, unearth the connections to my findings...I think thats why this recent body of work seems to be taking on an archival quality,  I'm recording my findings, cataloging them and then sending them on their way!

...and finally I've finished a few more pieces, so I've got a week of catching up to do with paper work, odd jobs, and putting hanging rings on some frames....

...I've no excuse to work or tinker about....I've go a few new ideas.... involving porcelain slip and wood...or maybe glass!

hope you've enjoyed watching the journey of my studio build....and now to work! bye

Art@41: burning the midnight oil....

Art@41: burning the midnight oil....: at last I can move into my studio.... the relief that I have somewhere to work in and also that it wasn't going to be a totally ...

burning the midnight oil....

at last I can move into my studio....

the relief that I have somewhere to work in and also that it wasn't going to be a totally Open studio with a parasol on a concrete base! and as my patient hubby said....can we stop spending on the "Dear shed" now....please?!

Inside these 4 wooden walls is a dream come true, although at the moment if you look inside it resembles more of a tip....but hey, by the time Saturday is here and NYOS is upon us, it will look spotless and hopefully inviting and show me and my studio's potential at its best... 

...& just a little teaser of some of my most recent work....

Hope to see you at the weekend, they are also predicting good weather...fingers crossed!...so after a quick tidy up... just the chalkboard to write and and signs up so you can find me!....I would have put up the miles of bunting I made last year....but its packed away in a safe place, but wonders never cease...

 night all, take care....