ARTISTS TALKING

# 259 [3 February 2012]

I have been in a bit of a bubble. I've been ill on and off since Christmas with bronchitis and I'm on my 3rd dose of antibiotics. The case is also consuming a lot of headspace.

There is some good news as the other side have discontinued several items of the counterclaim including the issue of user. They are no longer taking action against us using the space as studios. We are still left with 3 items including the counterclaim relating to licenses.

Also, there is agreement on some elements of our claim against the Factory Company.

Documents and invoices have been disclosed by both parties. An estimate of costs for the other side to take it to court is £80,000. That is just thier costs. We are allowed to charge £9 per hour, but I'm not sure it includes those times when you wake up in the night thinking about it.

On a lighter note my work will be appearing in M/I/S/C in March 2012. See http://jackieberridge.co.uk/other/Berridge%20&%20Nilausen.pdf

# 258 [18 December 2011]

We have a raft of professionals who have written witness statements of truth for our case. They include people qualified in buildings and planning as well as experienced professionals involved in the arts. Our ducks have been lined up since the deadline at the end of November, but once again the other side are not in a position to exchange documents. Another missed deadlne.

Meanwhile we still party! I went to the EMVAN celebration last Wednesday iat the new Primary Studios based in Nottingham. It was formerly the Douglas Primary school. I bumped into the last head teacher at the school (who happens to be an old school friend) today at the supermarket. Jane-Belinda was really delighted it was being used for something creative.

Seventeen of us will be meeting for the HMS Chrsitmas lunch tomorrow. In between my dog being groomed and meeting up with my sister to exchange pressies.

Wednesday is the Backlit party and we are also preparing for the SOS party which is timed just after Christmas.

# 257 [22 November 2011]

The other side have missed 2 deadlines. We notified the court and a hearing was due at the end of the month to deal with the issues. We had a feeling the hearing might be delayed because of the forthcoming strikes on 30th Novemebr and a letter today from the judge confirmed it. Boo!
We feel disadvantaged because the other side who are represented are not fulfilling their obligations in relation to disclosure. We will have less time to deal with the info when it does arrive. I'm not sure how the courts can deal with this - no slap on the wrist or penalties. I think the legal system is quite broken

# 256 [17 November 2011]

I couldn't decide whether I was looking at breakfast or an early grave this morning but the abundance of fungi is amazing. My day always starts with a dog walk and some of the flora and fauna appear in my paintings. No toadstools yet though.

# 255 [16 November 2011]

I've had some work professionally photographed for MISC. My own efforts are just not good enough. One painting will dominate a whole page so it needs to be sharp and accurate. Fortunately the grey weather has provided even light, so Stuart photographed the 4 paintings outside - plus the required mug shot. Images and info have been emailed to the glossy publication for the Jan- Mar 2013 issue.

I am also in the middle of writing a witness statement of truth which I've broken up into different headings. Jem is also on his laptop doing the same.

December is the month when my work will feature on the Southwell Artists website so I have been writing the text for that too.

http://www.southwellartists.co.uk/

I also managed studio time today and the large ink drawing is almost complete. I'm thinking of making a few for Seoul.

# 254 [8 November 2011]

I am still playing catch-up from our overseas visitors staying. (I have only just stripped the beds, not a good day for washing and drying though).

When time is precious I hang back from spending time on the computer as I am easily distracted by google, photoshop and stuff. Consequently there is always a backlog of emails to sort out when I do log on.

Today, I find I have been nominated by Mary Ellen to showcase my work in the Spring edition of MISC

http://www.miscology.com/

As it is distributed to 28 countires I'm a bit excited. I need some good quality photos of my paintings now.

Yesterday I picked up my paintings from Nottingham Castle. (Only 3 as I managed to sell one)
I met up with Alisonn and Maggy in the evening to sort out sending our prints to Illinois for the UK/US collaboration, Messages Lost In Time. Sorting out the courier was easy on the internet. The project has proved to be more of a challenge than any of us realised. We were invited to produce 55 prints and as I haven't done much printmaking making so many of reasonable quality has been a bit of a headache.The number has since reduced to 35 as some artists have dropped out so I have weeded out some of the weaker lino prints.

# 253 [2 November 2011]

One thing leads to another... the Art on Armitage exhibition "Plastic World" at HMS looks set to travel to Durham and another exchange. And... a conversation with Mary Ellen has ignited another potential collaboration. The seeds are sown for more globetrotting. Networking.

# 252 [30 October 2011]

Just finished the 5th Open Studios weekend at Harrington Mills. The atmosphere was different this year. In a good way. We were more relaxed. The opening was as busy and energetic as in previous years and we had a steady trickle of people over the weekend.

There was a lot of interest in the studio spaces and the waiting list is growing again.

As many of my paintings are in different exhibitons at the moment I concentrated on showing drawings. I am currently making a large drawing (120 x 120cm) with inks on stretched, primed paper which attracted a lot of attention. I loving making it. The process is quite organic - creating my own Boboli Garden with anthropomorhic beings populating the landscape. The concentration has to be Zen as I want the work to remain fresh and lively. Thats the plan.

# 251 [26 October 2011]

My blog is slowly fading into the ether. I'm not sure thisis the best way to go. But the work of establishing the studios remains unfinished until the case is resolved.

To date we are waiting for disclosure from the other side. Both parties have to disclose documents in relation to the case which the other side does not possess. For example, we have provided our correspondance to the council re planning.  The Harrington Factory Company  were supposed to give us a list of the documents over a month ago. They have missed two deadlines.  By this stage they are also supposed to supply copies of documents too. We wait.

On a lighter note we are looking forward to open studios. In particular we are proud to host a show by  Chun Chun Hee and Mary Ellen Croteau from Art on Armitage, chicago. It's been great catching up with the artists and they are enjoying the rolling countryside of Notts.

We are holding a TAG sale this year sellling off old work at reduced prices. Hopefully we will make a happy chrsitmas for artists and buyers alike.

# 250 [12 October 2011]

Started the day sortng out the house ready for the arrival of Mary Ellen, Midday spent at the Caunton Beck making the final arrangements for Jem's parent's diamond wedding celebration. An afternoon updating the website and emailing the open studio/Plastic World invites to the PV. Also answering other emails including sorting out work for a gallery in Lewes. I am now going to cut up a painting in the belief that some of the parts are better than the whole. I think.
And always the case is ticking.