Voluntary Action Leicester

Voluntary Action Leicester

The shelf life of my exhibition at V.A.L. has been extended by the third change of paintings since I started showing there. Jane has new work there too, she seems to be concentrating more on photography these days; nice work.

I had to use a couple of spaces in the main reception area this time as I thought just three in the cafe was enough.

I had a couple of surprises when I entered the building yesterday to hang my work. To the left of my painting (on the far right; "The Potential For Love") of my biological, deceased, father holding me as a baby, is a Melissa Theobald painting. I dont recall seeing this one before. No varnish ! Just painted! A change in technique for her......... and where is she these days? What is she getting up to? Strange how some people happily just vanish. I hope she had her graduation day as she deserved her great grade !

The other surprise I had was the dark painting at the end of the cafe and the blue painting on the left of Melissa's work.

The dark painting still looks as great as when I first saw it so many months ago, but I dont recall the artist putting it in the V.A.L. so at least she is still trying to put her work about.

I cant give you her name as she has made me promise to never print it here on this blog. And I always keep my promises.

Basically, the works I have hanged here are taken from the Pocklington Walk show I had way back in April 2008. Here are the invidual works; The Potential for Love; Father and self-portrait

Agnes

Walk in My Shoes

Steve; self-portrait

Shilpa

Attended the Private Viewing of the Hinckley Open yesterday held at the TEN-2 Gallery, Upper Castle Street, where my black and white painting of Amy and Kayleigh, called "We Shall go to the Market Today" (playing on a Gaugin title) was accepted. Bumped into Bev Chandler (who didnt submit any work), Keith (sorry, forgot his name, does self portraits , ex DMU) and Laura (Lolly) Taylor, who had three small works accepted ! It was almost a DMU reunion ! So, maybe 2008 is ending on a good note.

SECOND OF THREE...... sonds like a Borg !

second in a series of three. I still keep progress pics, a university habit. There is a major problem with this painting...........

................ but can you see what it is? Its art, so does it matter? Should I change it?

Have another p.v. to attend on Friday Nov. 28th at the TEN-2 GALLERY, Hinckley, where I had another painting accepted into an open exhibition. I understand Laura Taylor (Lolly) also entered some works and was succesful so maybe I will see her there.

Thank goodness I have a studio. I was right about it being good to be so far from home. It means I can get away, use the space and time to think, and enjoy the therapy of my artistic expression.

Love all, hurt none.

Love, peace and tranquility to those in my orbit.

This image of me at work in my space at KLA Open Studio event 2008 was kindly emailed to me by Sandi Patterson, another new artist at the co-operative.

I must improve my posture ! Despite losing so much fat I still seem to have a belly ............ not good. Ah well. As long as feel slim and young, eh?.........

So the open studio event is now over and Im wondering what else the KLA have already planned that I can be part of. Exciting isnt it? !

Love all, hurt none.

Love, Peace and Tranquility.

ALTERNATIVE LOGO DESIGNS

Here is another chance to view new logo designs for ART-CELL and to vote on them. Please do so as I cant decide which I prefer, except to say maybe the large A C design is more like it than the previous two yesterday.

Please let me know what you think.

also let me know what Maz's email is as every combination I have tried just comes back to me!

Last day of open studio event today, which sadly I had to miss due to making money to feed the family.........darn that family !!! lol !!

Love all Hurt none,

Peace , Love and Tranquility

KNIGHTON LANE OPEN STUDIOS DAY

A few people came and went, all leaving good remarks in the communal comments book and there will be more tomorrow, but I cant be there. Never mind. I managed to start, and almost complete, a painting whilst I was there. Had a really good day. Met a few more of the artists in the collective and am starting to feel at home there. I really think was a good move for me, even if I can only get there twice a week or so. Anyway, this is the painting I spoke about, painted from a sketch from life, and the other shows its setting in my space with my table laid out with promotional material for the hordes of visitors.

The private viewing of the OPEN 20 at city gallery, Leicester happened last night and was a great success. So nice to see my painting on display in there, at last. Met Gen Doy, art history tutor at DMU who had managed to get two works accepted.................including a photograph of herself naked with a stuffed swan, alluding of course, to the traditional paintings of times gone by. I believe there is another viewing on Monday which the accepted artists have been invited to rather than just anybody. I shall of course as I intend to milk this for all its worth. Its taken me such a long time to get in there Im going to enjoy every minute !!!!

Seriously guys.........

Seriously guys, I dont know which is better from the above logos. I like the smoothness and the business-like appearance of the first one, but appreciate that perhaps in the world Im aiming at with the Youth Arts Awards the more funky, young, scibblish style of the latter image would be better recieved. However, who am I initially aiming at? not the kids, but the adult commissioners. How would they think? So...................Im looking for advice here kiddies. Lets be democratic.

remember though, that the logo will also be used for all my other art related business plans.

O.K. then, Im waiting for your votes with my abbacuss in hand !

Love all, hurt none

Peace, Love and Tranquility

Today, November 13, 2008, I became a Youth Arts Award Advisor having completed the course, and can offer the award at levels one and two.

The award is administered by Arts Council England and is accredited by Trinity College London.

I can now work within schools, prisons, youth centres, etc., with people in the age range 11 to 25. It is designed for both the talented and the dissaffected. The award is more flexible than normal qualifications but is recognised by the National Qualifications Network and is equal to lower grades of G.C.S.E. (level 1) and upper grades of G.C.S.E. (level 2).

Any establishment wishing to engage me freelance, with me being "the centre" or if any establishment wishes to become a centre with me as the resident Advisor, should contact me via email; artcell@hotmail.co.uk

Tomorrow evening is the private viewing of the OPEN 20 exhibition at the City Gallery, Leicester to which I have been invited and Monday is the artists gathering at the same venue where awards are given out. Clearly, as its new to me in Leicester (and been a long while coming !) I shall be attending both nights.

Saturday afternoon will be taken up with the openstudio event at Knighton Lane Studios,although I cant be there Sunday ( have to make some money !). Gosh, its all happening all of a sudden............................ if only I can keep up the momentum and make it all permanent and succesful................ . I even have ideas for greeting card design. They are primarily Christmas orientated, and its now too late for that really, but they can be produced ready for next year.

Since I decided to put on my business head and stop looking at art in an arty-farty kind of way, things have been changing. Long may this continue.

Life is getting interesting.

Had a smashing time staying at Amy's home last weekend. Only wish I had had more time. Thanks Amy and Neal and Heather and Bernie !

Remember folks, love all and hurt none.

Love, Peace and Tranquility.

H O T N E W S ! !

KLA At Arena Festival Of Contemporary Art Category: Art and Photography Knighton Lane Artists are proud to announce their involvement in the Arena Festival Of Contemporary Art, Leicester. Come see us at our Open studios event on the 15th and 16th of November and maybe pop your head (quite literally) into our mobile micro gallery!

Yes ! the studio Im currently renting are having an open weekend in conjunction with Arena Festival. I will be there on the saturday but have to make money on the sunday elsewhere. So if you want to come and have a look, have a catch-up chat with me, that would be super and........................................................... even better news !!!.............................................................

after how many years of trying I finally got a painting accepted into the Leicester City Gallery Open Exhibition 2008 (OPEN 20) !!! Its the painting now called THE BROWN SHAWL and you can see it in a previous blog regarding my Knighton Lane studio space. ( the image above is a prep.drawing for the Brown Shall) The life drawing event I organised didnt happen as nobody turned up, but I felt so good having had this honour bestowed upon me that it didnt matter. I have another session booked at a diferent venue on the 22nd so fingers crossed for that one. In the mean time........other irons in the fire !!!!

Love all, hurt none.

Love, Peace and Harmony to all of you.

TRUTH AND OTHER MYTHS

Well the Hastings show has ended, didnt sell anything, but its o.k. Made another contact. Visited a place Ive never been before. Had a weekend away. So its good. Entering "The Brown Shawl" (see painting in my studio pics) into the Leicester City Gallery Open Exhibition. If it gets in, great, if it doesnt, o.k. Friday visiting Amy and Neal and their parents in Banbury, Neal is cooking, we are all drinking, we are staying overnight. On the Saturday I have a life drawing session booked. Although Ive had no interest on the phone, Im just hoping that people will simply turn up on the day. Then again, if not, no worries. Try try and try again. I think the trick is to simply not worry about it. No pics this blog. No worries..........use your imagination ! thats what art is for, developing imagination !! Love, peace and harmony to all.