ARTISTS TALKING

# 219 [25 March 2011]

Mik Godley has asked me to circulate news that 10 of his paintings have been stolen, along with 25 works by artist Kane Cunningham.

see: -http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2011/mar/23/scarborough-kane-cunningham-mik-godley-rspb-hague-gayle-manchester-bradford-textilesorhttp://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/local/100_000_art_theft_a_creative_expression_1_3213083

Any info please contact Mik mikgodley@yahoo.co.uk

# 218 [23 March 2011]

The art auction raised over £2500 for the Pakistani Flood appeal. Everything was sold. I don't know who bought mine and what it went for. I think the organisers will have enough on sorting out payment and admin etc. so I won't bother them to find out.

I gave my talk about being an artist, setting up painting holidays, developing the studios and exhibiting and fitting in life etc at South Notts College today. I remembered ...  when I graduated in 1995 I made an effort to apply for 3 things in AN a month. Amongst the successes was selection to show in the Mostyn Open, and also the opportunity to exhibit in a 3-person show at the Byard Gallery (as part of Strata, an artist-led event). I expect there were a few rejections too.

# 217 [18 March 2011]

One of my paintings is to be auctioned tomorrow in aid of the Pakistani Floods Appeal at Deda in Derby . My modest contribution, Run Rabbit Run will be auctioned alongside artwork by celebrated artists such as Julian Opie and Jeremy Deller. As well as lots of pieces from local artists there are signed books, tickets and t-shirts up for grabs - all in aid of a worthy cause.

For those who can't make the event there is a facility to make a bid online. See http://artsauction.co.uk

# 216 [14 March 2011]

I've just found an old power point presentation I can use for a talk I'm giving at South Notts College on the business side of arts practice. It needs updating and quite a lot of work doing on it, but it does have some relevant images and pointers.

The session, next Weds will last more than a couple of hours so I'm going to sort out a few activities to make it more interesting - based on the painting holidays and setting up the studios. I've been thinking about it and I'll probably talk about the questions you need to ask yourself before embarking on such projects. Eg Is there a demand? Location? Accomodation?

# 215 [11 March 2011]

The first show of 2011 will open this weekend in the Exhibition Space. New work by ARTOPEN (LITE) previews on Sunday 13th March from 2.00 - 4.00pm and continues until April 3rd.  I'm looking forward to seeing the space transformed after a winter rest.

Although Jem sifts through the case most nights, I am not a bystander. We discuss various elements as he progesses through the complex arguments. I often have a different take on things, but this is healthy and we never send correspondance which we don,t agree on.'

# 214 [10 March 2011]

Phew! My computer is back. Whilst I've been logging on to other computers I haven't been able to use the software I need to update my websites. So there is some catching up.

The upside is I have been drawing more. The computer can also be distracting.

# 213 [8 March 2011]

My computer is still broken. I picked it up from the repairers a week ago, it worked briefly ... and died again on the same day. Apparently the power jack isn't the problem. I have managed to rescue the data but I don't yet have my own computer which is v limiting. Especially as I can't update websites.

I have been drawing lots and painting badly. But today I have been framing the better canvases. It's a tedious job as there is a 6mm gap which would be fine if the stretchers were absolutely square.

Jem is patiently going through all details of the case. Again. He will be cross examining the other side and apparently it is quite a skill. He is unpicking the case and teasing out the questions.

# 212 [25 February 2011]

HMS is going to Gotland in August. This will be the second leg of an exchange with artist led space, Gocart Gallery in Visby www.gocartgallery.se. Gocart will be coming to Long Eaton in June.

Accomodation in Visby is fully booked .... well there are rooms, but way beyond my budget. We have finally found a place 20 minutes away. Apparently, Gotland is very beautiful. I'm looking forward to to seeing a place which I probably wouldn't have considered had it not been for this exchange.

# 211 [24 February 2011]

It was the second anniversary of mum's death yesterday and I still feel like I could pop round for a cup of Yorkshire tea and a bakewell tart. Even though I read the words on her grave stone and took her favourite spring flowers. I still feel that she will be at home ready for a 'brew'.

I received the 'unfortunately' email from the British Council yesterday. Lots of competition etc. More worrying is the scheme has been suspended from1 April 2011-31 March 2012). Apparently, they are currently in discussion with Arts Council England for an expanded scheme jointly managed by both organisations.

Alison and I will still be going though. We are drawing in the window of Art on Armitage for the first week and then installing David's and sooky's photographs for the second. We are trying to sort out visits to the various colleges too

The power jack to my computer is broken and currently being repaired. It means certain tasks have to wait as I haven't backed up since Christmas

# 210 [16 February 2011]

I am naturally an untidy person. However, one consequence of my Wednesday book illustration classes is that the house is more organised.

The sessions are going well. Penny has written numerous stories for the grandchildren, but always without pictures. As she hasn't drawn and painted since her school days I thought it might be a challenge to teach her skills which have laid dormant for over 50 years.

Her imaginative tales need pictures to tempt children into her warm and wonderful world. And after 6 session I think she has surprised both of us on how well she has progressed.  She has a  curiousity and openess which makes Wednesdays a pleasure. I look forward to seeing the book in print.