Exhibition O'Clock

Yes, it is that time again, when all the spring exhibitions are suddenly upon me and I wonder why I didn't make more artwork during the winter! 

First up is the Colchester Open Exhibition I entered a couple of weeks ago, and a late night phone message informed me of my fate:

Woodbridge Dreams 

"Woodbridge Dreams" in Gouache and Collage, painted with the exhibition in mind - Accepted, Yay!

Orwell Estuary Low Tide 

"Orwell Estuary, Low Tide" in Watercolour, put in because it fit the criteria and to make the numbers up -
Rejected, Boo Hiss!

Of course I am happy to get one in, and the exhibition was selected by several artists and curators including Colin Self, and Ron Sims. According to the chat I had with the receptionist on picking up my Orwell painting the selection commitee took their time (not always the case) and it went on for 11 hours! Although things went to plan for me this time, you can never be sure of the taste of the committee, and sometimes I have found that the piece I put in to make up the numbers is the one that gets in.

Next up is the Gainsborough's House Printmakers Exhibition in St Peter's Church in Sudbury, and I am fighting the clock to get some new seashell prints finished. Here are the some of the backgrounds, ready to be over printed with a shell and starfish design. Much use has been made of those net bags you get oranges in:

And here is the carved lino ready to print over the top:

Whilst I was getting inky, I also worked on some new card and tag designs, they are selling steadily locally, so now I am adding some seaside inspired designs:

After the printmakers exhibition it is "Potters and Friends" at Lavenham, where I am sharing my allotted space with some of my students. Perhaps I will take along my latest two mosaics:

Navy Butterfly Mosaic Panel 

Sea Panel Seashell Mosaic 

In the midst of all this exhibition prep, a lovely local lady made an appointment to come to my studio and choose some prints for her house. She chose two, and I arranged to have them framed in white, as she requested, rather than the wood I usually use, I thought the frames suited them, and snapped a quick photo in the studio, of them wrapped, just before collection:

Finally, I have been asked to help organise this years SSAS (Sudbury Summer Art Show) started by Sally Freer to compliment the bi-annual 'Visions of Sudbury" exhibition on alternate years. An initial meeting laid out some changes. This year there will be guidlines about prices (not too low) and framing (bad framing is something that irritates me beyond words). Plus artists chosen will be by invitation only, and the organisers get to chose who is invited. I will, of course not be swayed by donations of cake; but I should mention that carrot is my favourite, with that cream cheese icing...