Http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.co.uk

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thinking about the Future!



Today l have been thinking a lot about my Art. Where does my creativity go from here? How can l create more customers? What should my website look like? and so on. Being an Artist is more than just "creating" Art and l don't think l have really thought about it seriously since l came back to the UK. I have to sort out my Website quickly because it has become very clear to me, since the last show, people need to see your Art. They like to see what else you create, that isn't at the Show/Exhibition they are viewing. Buyers also said they would like to see my work as it progresses and also to see what cards l am producing. This was so they could order "stuff" from me, throughout the year.
Today l have been finishing off a few commissions for Silk paintings and then l am starting on a Wall Hanging that is going off to Hanoi for Christmas. 
My Art is dividing itself into different sections...my Silkpainting creations:-



My Eco-dyeing fabrics which are then turned into bags/clothes etc:-











Then there is my Wax work which is just beginning to come together. And, lastly... there are my photographs Should they be on the same website? or a different one?? Interesting times!!! 
How do l get more people to see my blog and then my website? Do l join Etsy?... How do l sell my Art other than by Shows? Oh so many questions... When l have figured it out... l will tell you! Ha!
Tomorrow l will show you what l have been painting to-night. Brrrrrr... Hope it is brighter and less windy tomorrow. I do so hate these Winter days when, by 3.30ish in the afternoon, it is dark...so depressing!!!



Saturday, November 26, 2011

My Exhibition.


I have a new set-up for this Exhibition, as l found that the wall-hangings this time were not selling. Once l had taken them down, my Silkpaintings began to sell. I am learning more and more from each exhibition..which is the way it should be, l think.

Some of the other Artists being rebellious...as we are not supposed to be allowed chairs!!! Health and Safety strikes again!
 Being entertained by local musicians....lots of Christmas music. Bright and cheerful!
 My daily cup of coffee!

 Love this hair colour, matched her coat beautifully.
 This is where a homeless man left his bike and belongings while he hunted for cigarette butts!
 Don't you just love his hat?!
It has been a very busy and tiring week but l have enjoyed it .  

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Stitching and patterns.


I have been doing some more stitching and have developed a new idea. If l rip a blouse or mark a shirt, instead of throwing it away.....mend it! So l have been developing some patches that l can sew over those problems. This is one of them. This piece of blanket has been felted and dyed with Eucalyptus leaves then a piece of dyed (some beetroot and turmeric) silk has been attached and embroidered on to the felt. I have created quite a few and in different colours. The feedback has been very positive. I reckon the price will be about £12 ish.
The next few images are of the bag l am still working on. I decided l didn't like the orange thread l had originally applied. So l have unpicked it all and started again and now l am pleased with what l have created.
This is the front of the bag, which l have done some more stitching to also.


The last image of this bag now has paler thread on it too. To my eyes, it looks so much better. 


Having coffee often gets my imagination going...especially when one is given coffee decorated like this.

This decoration on a vase also made me want to go home and stencil!

Monday, November 21, 2011



Day one at the Putney Exchange Exhibition...still really full of cold, feeling terrible but still got there...wait for it..at 8.15!!! I am so proud of myself and didn't leave until 8pm!!!!



 Just thought l would show you some of the other artists involved in this exhibition.. .all very different from me!! Also l am the only artist working in textiles.

My space plus my wonderful "zebra crossing" trolley as my children call it! Won't be taking it tomorrow as it is in the way and there is no where to store it. That is the real problem when doing exhibitions in places like this..no storage place!
The good news....l sold  2 unframed paintings. One of a sailing boat and the other is the whale you can see in the browser! There is a nice story attached to this sale. A very pregnant woman ( baby due in 10 days) and her friend loved my work. They had been at Uni together and hadn't seen each other since then. One lives in Oman and the other in Spain and had just met today for a special reunion.  It was so nice to think my Art has been bought to remind them of this day and seal their friendship.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

One down and the next one goes up!


My wonderful husband Tony, sat and did "my" 3 hours stint at the Mine Gallery this morning and then took it down for me. I had another exhibition to put up in The Putney Exchange later in the afternoon and l knew l would never manage it if l didn't rest before hand. The empty stand on the left is my space.

Tony helped to put the frames together and then sat and helped me to decide where things should go.
The person next to me is Graham and l am looking after his space as he is at work till 7pm each night. He then had a small space at the bottom of his frame, which he kindly lent me.
There are 20 of us showing our work this time and I am lucky as l am facing the Cafe!!!!......Drinking wine or coffee, nice food..comfty chair....calm and happy people....looking at my Art.....never know what they may decide to buy!!



And look at all the Christmas decorations hanging over my space!!!


Saturday, November 19, 2011

My normal Saturday activities!


I still have flu, still feel quite grotty but happily went to create at Brick Box today because it is such a "happy" place. My wonderful husband took me there by car, so l could have more time in the morning to get ready for next week's exhibition. 
Look what l saw hiding away in the hedge today....a solitary flower..it really made me smile.

 Yes l know, l am a big kid really but one of the main reasons l like Autumn...is so l can run through the piles of fallen leaves. just love the noise they make when stepped upon ...heaven!
 One of two self portraits sans make-up , l took today. Still trying to find an image that l feel shows the real me. As for years l used to hate every photo that was taken of me, the fact that l can now not only cope with what l see but 7 out of 10 images...l actual quite like!
 The Art Table waiting for customers young and old to come and create. Very slow to start with today but got busier later in the afternoon. Today we were using stencils to make Christmas Cards and/or Bookmarks.
 This car and flower were hand drawn by a 5 year old little girl, going on 30! She was amazing - bright, articulate and funny. She really made me smile when she started to "design" her car and l mean design. We started with the tyres and where they should go and why to where the seat should be for the driver...a fascinating child.
 Her finished card, which was made for her "mommy". Not sure who was covered in more silver glitter, the card or her! We had a great time talking about how hot America was, that it snowed at Christmas but only in some places and her school is full of mad children!! I love this job.
 This the second self portrait which l took because l wanted to see how this cardigan looked really... if you see what l mean ladies? Ha!
 These three young brothers get on so well together and are extremely talented young artists. Apparently they take after their mum, who is a very talented animator.
 I did have a nice surprise later in the afternoon, when my daughter Jenny came to see where l was working. I think she was impressed and l was very happy to show off my very attractive daughter!
I  asked the brothers' mum if we could maybe use all or one of these cards as The Brick Box Christmas Card..Answer..YES! have talked to "Boss" and l think it maybe a goer!! Yippee.
 A selection of many bookmarks made by a 5 year old, who told me he needed this many because he might have a lot of books one day. So sweet!
 I am sure this young man, of 9 (l think), will go far in the Art World if he decides to carry it on. He was so "into" his drawing it was wonderful to see.
 I did some photography shots today for Terry, who runs the Vintage shop in Brick Box. This is by now ..the fur coat that is...hopefully already up on ebay!
 More young artists at work.... funnily enough they were all boys today.






I went home early at 4pm today, as not only am l still feeling pretty grotty but l have to get ready to take down one exhibition...and put the next one up, within an hour of each other tomorrow. (Sunday). Why do l do it to myself?
Night folks.