The Little BIG DRAW

The Little BIG DRAW

Sounds like an American Indian name doesnt it.......but it was my public art event, funded by Hinckley Council, and held in the town market. The funding allowed me to employ another freelance artist so naturally I thought of my degree course colleagues and Melissa Theobald came to mind immediately as she had entreated me to think of her for such things last time we met at a little reunion in Leicester. She was marvellous! In fact the whole day was great with the public engaging themselves in surprising ways, not just doodling on postcards but taking the cards out to areas of shoppers who may not have seen our stall! Two young girls stayed with us all afternoon. I think the day demonstrated a need for something similar to this in the area on a more regular basis and Im now looking into providing something arty.

I documented the day on the camcorder I won from Creative Leicestershire and am currently editing it for public consumption. I have the thought that when the cards are displayed the video should also be viewed. As some of you probably know, I like to spread my wings across the various labels and so this will be my second video work. My first, titled "Passage", a short art film, is now edited and awaiting its debut on the public stage. This was going to be the Tea Party at Knighton Lane, however, the date has now been put back a month at least as the building wont be in a pristine enough state. So I will have to keep you updated on that. Invitations will go out as and when its all settled to the groups satisfaction.

I took just a couple of photos of the day and , sadly, none of them feature myself or Melissa, but they do feature the banner !

Im now planning a diferent event for 2010 which will need to take place under cover and will be more about the public engaging with artists to produce something huge. Im going to call it The REALLY big draw. This idea is copyrighted so hands off ! lol.

The eggs project for the Richard Attenborough Centre and Vaughan Way exhibitions is now complete. The smaller quadrilian of eggs have undergone changes but I have now decided to stop tinkering with them. They are complete. This now means I can get back to making the work I want to make. The work which is more natural to me...........my pictorial essays.

On that note, as I have an interview and workshop this tuesday with reception class kiddies I asked Hayley Fern for advice on workshop and she said that my strenghts are thinking on the spot and storytelling.........it fits in with the paintings doesnt it, and now the video work too. I am a storyteller! I like that because I am. I have just written a short play after all and may turn it into a short film. Im still fluid over it. But getting back to Hayley, she also said that most kids seem to think Im Santa so I should be o.k. !!!! SANTA?! lol, well, it could have been worse I suppose , ha ha ha .

Well, its back to the drawing board because, as Jay Potter said, "Im a creative practitioner; that means I make things happen". That stuck with me. Its true. You have to make it happen for yourself. You have to be an entrepenuer in the creative industries as much as anywhere else. To this end Im awaiting confirmation or not regarding funding for another project, saturday mornings probably, and will be in the happy situation of being able to employ another freelancer..........but not another word on that as it sometimes puts the kibbosh on things, dont you find?

This week I hope to meet up with Laura (the red) as she is coming to town to give a lecture at DMU. Clever girl. Its so good to know that most of the people who graduated with me last year are now making it in the real world and,yes, son number two (Sam) is finally getting supply teacher work on a regular basis. Oh, and its Divali tomorrow, Sunday Oct. 18th so if you are Hindu then HAPPY NEW YEAR to you .

Remember folks that your thoughts create your future.

Love all, hurt none; its the only religion you need.