Back to work...

I was in Bali this last week.  It was fun, laid back and very green.  I had a brilliant time with my gorgeous family and I have to admit that I may have overindulged with food and drink (can only recommend the Champagne Mojito - by far the stand out cocktail!). 

However, by the end of the week my mind started to turn back towards home and work (as it does) and I started to make mental lists of what jobs I have to do (as I always do) and what deadlines are coming up (aren't there always).

The big difference was how ridiculously excited I was by all this.  I couldn't wait to get home and now that I am I've been running around like a mad fool getting back into work.  Rather than some high pressure, underpaid, repetitive (read boring in there!) admin job I am drawing, carving, printing and painting.  My work rocks!

While I was away I had an article in The Pilbara Echo and I've popped a copy below.  Hope you enjoy!

The Pilbara Echo, 9 July 2011

Heading Down the Highway…

Looking for adventure and whatever came our way.  We were three intrepid artists bearing six gorgeous artworks created by Hedland artists to Cossack on Sunday 26 May. 

Our mission was to safely deliver these artworks for submission to the Cossack Art Awards.  Now I have been on my share of road trips in my day but I’ve never done it with artists and let me tell you it is a whole new experience.  Rather than whining kids asking are we there yet (actually to tell the truth that is usually me) there was much more artsy stuff going on. 

There were conversations about artistic style, merit, pricing of artworks, what sort of paint to use and how and when.  Technicalities were discussed in detail and then in even further detail still.

There was lots of looking at landscapes, noticing colours, shapes, light play etc and wondering how anybody could not be fascinated by the Pilbara landscape. 

We also had some deep and meaningfuls about the West End Markets that we had all worked the night before and how sometimes your creations just sell, sometimes they just don’t and how good it is to keep perspective and confidence in what you are doing. 

When we got to Cossack we handed the artworks over, ensured they were labelled up correctly and stopped for a spot of lunch.  Here again the conversation turned to landscapes and colours but also just the general feel of Cossack – the peace and stillness of it that wasn’t even marred by 4WD’s and boat trailers zooming about. 

After lunch we did a tour around Cossack and all agreed that it was such a gorgeous place that we needed to spend more time in and pretty soon, you guessed it, there was more talk of what could be drawn or painted.  After deciding that we had to do some sort of artists’ camp in Cossack soon it was time to head home.

On the way home there were a few more stretches of quiet - we had worn ourselves out with too much talking.  I reflected on how important hanging out with other artists can be.  So much of art happens in your head and in a lot of cases artistic production happens on a solo basis too.  But just like any other profession – a bit of chatting, a bit of networking and even a bit of reassurance goes a long, long way. 

The Cossack Art Awards is on from 17 July to 7 August at Cossack’s Bond Store and Post and Telegraph Building. 



Leny, Nomes and Amanda heading to Cossack...




Nomes is handy with a camera as well as a paint brush!



New tools...

Running an art business is lots of fun but not necessarily a huge money making exercise...yet!  I economise wherever possible which means not buying as many new clothes (easier than I expected) and reusing whatever I can. 

However, recently my carving tools got to the point that I was ripping lino and mdf rather than cutting it so I ordered some more.  They arrived today and I got down to carving.  My oh my, it was sheer bliss and I have to say no matter how hard times get I am never going to use blunt carving tools again.  It was a bit too easy to cut lino though and I had to force myself to slow down a bit because once it is cut there is no going back.

I have had a lovely week because my mum came to stay.  She didn't realise it but every time she hung out the washing or did the dishes it meant that I had a little bit more time to get my own stuff done and for that I am extremely grateful. 

She also shocked me senseless by buying quite a bit of my work.  I am quite used to people wanting to buy stuff off me now but not so much and all at once.  I got really embarrassed and tried to explain that she was under no obligation to buy anything.  She reassured  me that she did actually want the stuff so there you go. 

I know it sounds weird - if I am going to stay in business I do need to sell stuff.  I just don't like people feeling forced into buying stuff - I even hesitate to give my art as a gift because I am worried that people will then feel obliged to hang it etc when they don't want to.  Clearly I have to get over this - that or find a good salesperson to spruke on my behalf!

So perhaps along with my new carving tools I need to develop some new mental tools and step up to the sales pitch line.  Not over it mind you, never over it - I can't stand pushy sales people.  But if I don't take the sales opportunities when they present themselves perhaps I am really only selling myself short. 

Photo courtesy of Elise Batchelor