ARTISTS TALKING

# 1 [7 July 2009]

We have worked our socks off for the past two days.  Phew!!  Today we have had lots of spectators admiring our growing display of red clothes and accessories. In fact, one lady knocked on the glass door repeatedly and was determined to purchase our wears. We are getting to know our fellow retailers and shoppers and we are sensing a feeling of acceptance. Hopefully, as from Thursday we are open to the public and we will be able to engage them in our project.

# 2 [9 July 2009]

We started off the day by cleaning the windows.  The pound shop next door but one said that we could borrow their step ladders for the duration of our project.  Thank you pound shop!

We are open to the public now and ready to go.  We began by testing the circular route that we decided on.  En route, each participant will sit down to take tea or coffee at 'Go Fresh', a juice/coffee kiosk situated on the square in front of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, where they will be photographed by volunteers.  Many thanks to Kathryn Wheatly for photographing us today.  On re-entering the shop they will fill in a short questionnaire to record their experience, and a short video recording will be made.  Any comments gathered along the way, we intend to write on our blackboards in the shop.

We have our first participants ready to go and are excited to see what tomorrow brings!

# 3 [13 July 2009]

Well, we've finally settled down in our shop in St John's Centre.  Last week was extremely busy, cleaning, ironing and hanging our lovely red clothes.  We did think that it might prove slightly intimidating being in the shop window amongst our red things, but actually it was quite exciting and we have definitely taken on a new persona when dressed in red and feel like we are actually on stage acting, especially when we have our music playing.  When we thought about how our first week would go, we imagined that the only people who dressed in red would be our friends or family.  In the event all those who where supposed to come along had valid excuses why they couldn't dress up?  The brilliant thing was we managed to inspire 13 complete strangers to engage with the red project and become our first walkers.  On Saturday a lovely bloke called Danny Johnson, from Liverpool, who willingly dressed in red and was the first man to participate with his girlfriend Danni.  They were both great company and have promised to come back with Ben and more of their friends from Liverpool.  We hope so.  Today, Monday, we have had lots of people in the shop chatting and asking about the project but never quite managed to get a willing participant.  Not to worry though as at this moment the washing machine's busy dying children's clothes red, as a lovely family have bought clothes especially for their two gorgeous boys to wear on Saturday next, so they will be our first whole family and we can't wait. 

# 4 [14 July 2009]

Today started of very well indeed as we received our two first donations of red clothing. Both items were jackets and both were donated by woman. Thank you very much, and we hope our collection continues to grow!

We had lots of interest all through the day, and lots of people eager to be involved. Many are coming back over the next week to take part. We also had our youngest participant at 10 months old take part today. Baby Dylan and his mum Lucy looked lovely as they set off out of the St. Johns centre all in red, including the pushchair with its own red scarf. They made their merry way through the market and across town, Dylan leaning forward, smiling and waving at the slightly bemused spectators. He thoroughly enjoyed his experience, as did Lucy. Lucy was very surprised about how wearing the red clothes gave her an instant confidence boost and how she enjoyed the attention much more than she'd anticipated.

# 5 [16 July 2009]

No sooner had we switched on the lights and opened the door, two ladies eagerly marched into our shop.  'We've come to dress in red', said the first.  They introduced themselves as Kirsty and Helen.  We had spoken to them on Monday about our project and at the time they had their dog with them.  They said they'd come back and were true to their word.  They chose their outfits, got changed, and at exactly 10:30am they set off on the walk.  When seated for their coffee, a group of men began singing a very out of tune 'Lady in Red'.  The ladies seemed quite flattered. It was a great start to the day!!

The afternoon was equally successful as three young ladies, Lorraine, Jenna, and Jade volunteered to do the walk.  They set off and looked a vision in red.  All heads turned in confused amazement as they walked along.  They sat down for their drink and as it started to rain quite heavily, they decided to make a hasty retreat back into the St. John's Centre.  The rain didn't dampen their enthusiasm however, as they giddily recalled the experience as they said goodbye. 

So 5 people to add to the list of participants and after another busy day with lots of interest, we are both extremely positive that we will be gaining many more!

# 6 [17 July 2009]

Teresa here.  How wet, chilly and miserable was Preston today.  We had to crank up the music to lift our spirits and with the morning ironing and a bit of dancing we kept warm.  We had a lovely lady help us today, Liz, a volunteer from the Harris Museum and we had a laugh outside the shop handing out leaflets.  At one point we were descended upon by endless young people, too eager by far!  I have to admit (Liz and Dom thought so to) that it was a lucky escape when they moved on, typical messy teenagers and it took us a while to tidy up after them.  Thank you Liz for your efforts today.  One lady who came into the shop around the same time, commented on how it smelt nice of soap powder - which is lovely to hear and means we've finally beaten the horrible, stale cafe smell of when we first moved in.  I'm not surprised though as we're constantly washing all the clothes which are worn, as we feel its only fair to  people willing to get dressed up to have fresh clothes.  Apparently, this adds to their confidence, or so I was told today by one of our young ladies who participated.  Just as we were beginning to give up hope of getting any walkers Aimi Rushworth and Robyn Taylor, both 17, came in out of the blue and they were so enthusiastic about dressing up.  They're coming back with several friends on Tuesday of next week, hopefully.  Tomorrow should bring the lovely family who bought children's cloths especially for their two boys and we're looking forward to seeing them all in the shop.  Dom's off to Sheffield University tomorrow and Sunday to begin a new course, so I have my lovely sister-in-law, Julie coming to the St John's Centre to keep me company.  Julie's a teacher and has just finished for the summer - she was looking forward to a bit of peace and a lie in but its a 'Red' day for her instead and oh what a treat she's in for!   

# 7 [19 July 2009]

Teresa here again.  Yesterday, Saturday, Julie came along to the St John's Centre to give me a hand.  First thing was the usual tasks of ironing and hanging the clean clothes.  It feels almost like a real shop when we arrive in the mornings and I have to remind myself at times that this is an art project and not a commercial venture.  I can almost imagine opening a 'red cafe' and, judging by the interest we've had from passers by, we could possibly do well.  Just a few tables and chairs, open up the cafe serving mostly red food, selling red things, dressed in red and who knows?  Anyway, I digress.  We received some more red clothes, from people interested in the project, to join our ever growing collection.  They will come in handy without a doubt and it seems our handouts must be working.  Just when we were getting peckish and after we'd bought butties from the local shop, our lovely family came bounding full of life into the shop.  I just knew they'd come back with their 2 beautiful little boys whose clothes were ready, clean and dyed, awaiting their arrival.  We had great fun dressing them all up and I must say they look fabulous as they ventured forth on the circular walk around Preston.  Julie (who had entered into the spirit and picked some clothes earlier) decided she would get her walk over and done with - she's a bit reserved and said afterwards she felt a bit self conscious at times, as the total red clothing and the collection of people dressed in red presents quite a striking image, on a miserable day especially, and is always guaranteed to provoke a great deal of attention.  I have noted the comments which the stallholders on the market are making and they have definitely noticed that the red walkers are coming from the St John's Centre.  In fact 2 actually came in later in the afternoon to have a look around the shop and find out what we were up to.  They both said they loved it and it felt quite rewarding to hear that.  Well,  I must say the Saturday walkers all looked pretty good to me and as I followed or ran ahead to take photos I was aware of how the group encourages onlookers to smile as a response to their passing by and I have only ever heard positive remarks en route.   It was a rewarding day for me personally and I believe that all 5 participating in the day's activities had a unique experience and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again on 1 August when we will be having the mass 'red' walk around Preston.

# 8 [21 July 2009]

Dominique here.  Today we were interviewed at Preston FM by two  lovely ladies in an incredibly hot room, made hotter by my nerves as it was my first time on the radio. I was hoping to stay quiet and let my mum do the talking; anyone who remotely knows her knows she's good at talking. Unfortunately i wasn't so lucky and had a few questions thrown in my direction but it seemed to go ok. The interview will be aired between 8:30 and 10:30 on Friday morning.

It was a very busy day again, and despite the terrible weather we had three eager walkers in Red. James, Wednesday and Adele all marched off in Red with a spring in their step and their umbrellas at the ready. They all enjoyed themselves and spent a good while sat on the square, drinking their coffee and soaking in the experience. Job well done and we're looking forward to tomorrow!

# 9 [23 July 2009]

Teresa and Dominique here today.  We didn't blog yesterday as we were victims of our own success.  We left the shop, after another hectic day, at 5.30 just before they locked us in and we were both shattered when we finally returned home.  Shona from Clitheroe, Rebecca and Robina walked yesterday, Shona being the first brave lady to venture forth on her own.  She certainly got into the spirit of the project and had a red makeover, including a manicure.  Robina took an hour off work especially for the occasion and Rebecca had been DIYing with her friend in Manchester and was seriously not looking forward to dressing up - thank you Rebecca.  Today, we were totally intent on tidying up our mess, ironing the clothes and generally having an easy day.  No, it didn't turn out that way.  We had to go in search of red tights (can't get enough of them actually) and red clothes in general (people do believe its a real shop and its getting painful).  Even with all our meaderings and turning up at the shop 40 minutes later than our normal prompt selves at 10am we still managed to beat Martin (only joking Martin) but we did.  Sorry Jenna for being late and we promise next Tuesday we won't be.  Anyway, all our efforts with total strangers are paying off as another lovely family came bouncing into the shop this afternoon, that we'd spoken to previously.  Just as we decided that we'd have to drag someone in and forceably dress them up, in they came and willingly too!!  Lawrence, Gail and their son Simon.  We had a really great time and we think they did too, we're hoping so.  They did say they were going to try and enlist their daughter and all come back on 1 August for the mass walk.  On the last minute just as we sat down for lunch (or funch as it is now known, because it becomes quite a joke trying to eat and almost impossible) in came 2 more people.  Wanting to buy our red clothes again.  Tomorrow at 10.30am the whole family are coming in to dress up and as tomorrow is another day we shall see.

# 10 [24 July 2009]

Teresa here.  Today was another mad and busy day.  Philippa called in to see us and we had Adele and Gemma to help us.  Thank goodness for those two.  We all walked together with Catrina who came in prepared in her very short red mini dress and brought new shoes to be dyed.  We had a very interesting time painting the shoes, my old boots (they've not a hope of drying before September due to my over excitement with the lovely red paint) and we all sang along to David Bowie, happy in our madness.  We bought a new cd as my lovely grandson snapped the needle on the record player on Tuesday.  I resorted to my boots and trousers, which I dyed last night, due to my feet killing me with all the walking round in silly shoes.  The afternoon was great as the rest of yesterday's family came in  minus one brother.  Try as I might I just couldn't convince the 14 year old niece that it really is a cool thing to walk around Preston dressed totally in red.  I can so understand her as she'd seen endless mates around town and even in her ordinary clothes she kept a discreet distance from us and insisted she was the only sane one around.  Not to worry, I don't think I'm losing the knack and I remembered my own 14 year old experiences with my 3 children and gave up gracefully and admitted defeat.  We ended our Friday on a lovely note with fish, chips and mushy peas as looking at the photographs of me, I simply couldn't get any worse - famous last words.  They were gorgeous though and it has to been done sometimes.