ARTISTS TALKING

# 119 [13 December 2009]

NFASP (National Federation of Artists' Studio Providers)have got back to me.  It feels comforting to belong to something much bigger.  Someone is looking at the lease for us. The internet is great for researching cases  but we look forward to hearing from someone experienced in studio leases.

# 118 [9 December 2009]

Contacted NFASP about our case.

Things are looking a bit more positive with the Harrington Factory Company and it looks like work will begin shorlty on the ground floor :)

# 117 [5 December 2009]

Received confirmation from the new curator at Thoresby Gallery, Cynthia Harrison that I will be showing with Louisa Harris and Penny Withers from 8 – 31^st January 2010.

The pressure is on to make new work.

Went to a ball last night with green fingers. My daughter agreed I shouldn't attempt to varnish my veridian edged nails. No one would be fooled.

Had interest from a gallery down south. Sent some higher res images.

# 116 [3 December 2009]

We are looking forward to mediation and an independent view of our case. It will be great to have a discussion, something we have been pushing for a long time.

You would think the findings from mediation would be presented at court but these are without prejudice discussions and a way of finding a settlement without the expense of court. It will be good to have the views of a third party. We did a lot of homework before setting up HMS and the we are not unique -  therefore issues up for discussion affect many other studios.

Despite the case ticking along in the background and the topic of conversation most evenings, I am going through a phase of total absorption in my paintings. Some good days some bad but total involvement with oils.

# 115 [1 December 2009]

I am expanding my vocab with words I would rather not know. Calderbank offers for instance. These are offers made by parties to settle a dispute -which a judge will later examine when awarding costs. If a party refuses a Calderbank which proves to be a better deal than what the court decides - then that party risks picking up the tab. It also involves a dose of 'without prejudice' - lawyers like to use this term a lot too.

It's useful to know about these offers, especially if you are unrepresented as it can help to put a back-stop on rising costs.

For more info..

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storycode=3008584

# 114 [26 November 2009]

A curator spotted my paintings on Axis and paid me a visit today. The show is in January and a bit soon, but I'm quite excited as my work is going in the right direction. (Most of my paintings are hanging at Deda at the moment so only v current work is available).  If it doesn't go ahead in the New Year she is still keen to show it at a later date.

The great thing about studios is that visitors get the chance to see other work. She took the cards of several artists.

Five of us have booked tickets for Stockholm. Others might join us later. Seven of us are exhibiting so we will have to distribute the freight between us. We will be wearing several pairs of trousers and jumpers to make room!

# 113 [22 November 2009]

Looks like I'll be asking for thermals for christmas.

HMS has been selected to particpate in Supermarket 2010 at Kulturhuset, Stockolm from 19th - 21st Feb.  This is an artist-run international event which will give us the opportunity to meet groups from Sweden as well as the rest of the globe.

# 112 [20 November 2009]

Hide and seek, jammy computer, Billy Goats Gruff, and bleary eyed -  I have just returned my toddler grandaughter to her mum. She has been here for a fun few days after an emergency took her parents over the border to Wales.

You have to respect artists with young families,especailly single parents like Helen Dearnley, who manages to squeeze in her arts practice with a multitude of other committments.

Helen was one of the speakers at the Air Dialogues meeting this week  -along with fellow blogger, Andrew Sugars from Derby. I was the facilitator. I'm not a natural. Any more than 6 pairs of eyes and speaking becomes a bit of an ordeal. However, I managed. Despite my shyness a healthy discussion ensued. Issues included post graduate blues, job searching, maintaining a practice and the value of remaining positive when the chips are down. Oh and Helen's experience as a 4th plinther...

# 111 [16 November 2009]

Battling the Monday morning traffic I was really proud of myself when I arrived at HMS half an hour early to open up the ground floor. Our structural engineer John, was due to meet the HFC expert, Mr Jeffries at 10 to agree/disagree over the ownership and structure of the floor.

Panic. The keys didn't work. Tried the even the most unlikely keys but none would open the padlock. Down to the DIY for an axesaw. Back in time to meet John. Joke - the blade just skimmed the surface. Brute force with various hammers. Opposition arrives.

Nip down to the locksmiths but no one around to help til pm. They wouldn't give me any tips either. On my return both experts having a bash.

Pop to the Harrington Mills plumbing shop across the road and explain. A lump hammer and something I don't know the name of, did the trick.

In the meantime another surveyor Mr R Clarke turned up for the factory company.  I gave them all tea whilst they discussed the issues.

# 110 [13 November 2009]

Andy runs the lace business upstairs, and I popped into to see him today. As he's 9 - 5 pm, Mon -Fri he's been v helpful in taking delivery of things when no one is in the studios. He was a bit harrassed because he'd been told the insurers were inspecting the premises today and was worried about the cardboard he'd accumulated. It was news to me.

Sure enough they turned up about 1 o'clock with the facilities manager, Mr Jamieson.  Now I realise I've starrted talking lawyer speak. Mr Jamieson told the insurers we were letting the spaces to artists. I corrected him - we issued licenses. He thought they were the same. Not in the J Berridge v Harrington Factory Company - there is a world of difference. Licenses don't offer the same rights as letting. The former only give artists the right to occupy and not the right of possession. We would need the landlords consent to sublet to the artists.