Getting paid

Should artists be giving artworks away for free? Add your tuppence worth to this discussion on the forum.

I have a day at home today! Well, the morning at least..

I was in Yorkshire last week; a really nice three days at one school, but then Thursday was just exhausting. I was at a little school where they had decided the best way to use their day with me would be to put me with 39 6/7 year olds. Seriously, talk about setting me up to fail! It was okay – we all made things, but it was just a constant struggle to settle them and get any kind of concentration. Not great. Couple that with a confusing meeting at the park and I was ready to get back to Cheshire.

Friday and Saturday was the first Lancashire Artists’ Book & Zine Fair at UCLAN in Preston. As usual I broke even on cost, but didn’t make anything. Still, these events really are more about meeting people, getting some books out in the world and looking at other people’s work. I had some really lovely comments and caught up with various people I don’t see enough, so it was good.

The new house is still fairly corridor-between-boxesesque (I only have Sundays to unpack at the moment), but my studio is starting to take shape. I have to go into Liverpool later today, but this morning I am going to start on a bit of stone carving. I need a nice pair of pink legs for a piece I want to make so will make a start on some soapstone before tackling the more expensive pink talc. I haven’t carved since my first year at eca, so it may take a few goes. I may end up casting them with pink resin or plaster in the end, but I have to try or I’ll always be wondering! Just got to find the chisels now…