I spent the start of the year producing some new work for an exhibition and of course the gallery had to close its doors just after the show’s opening. I had cards and prints in local stockists, and I was in the process of getting new stockists to take my work for the summer season – they are all closed now. These outlets do such a valuable job for us creatives, they are our shop window, our agents, our salespeople, doing what they do best (retail) and allowing us to get on with the creative part. It didn’t produce a stream of riches, but should have been a steady flow of some sort.
Our big plan for this year was that Adrian and I were going to join the band of retailers and open the studio doors here four days a week, to sell my work and the results of his brand new blacksmithing venture. We get a lot of tourists in the area visiting the Mull of Galloway and we had three open weekends last year that proved the concept.
So Adrian and I joined forces under the name Fine View Arts, built a website, designed the leaflets, even had the external signage produced and of course, we had to close before we could even open at Easter.
I was introduced to dyeing at my local Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers several years ago and what began as a passion project for myself, soon grew into a business in it’s own right called Quirky Paintbrush. Dyeing allows me to play with colour, free from the constraints of proportion, perspective or composition. Althought dyeing can be a super precise process, more akin to science than art, I enjoy the serendipty of the blending and mixing that happens in the dyebath.
Really nice to catch up with you Glenda in these lockdown times. I’ve been doing lots of art journalling trying to use stamps and stash I didn’t realise I had. Loving your wool colours. You must have great fun dying all the wool to see what colours you get.Spectacular colours in fact. Still reminisce about the fun we had at Darlington during the craft extravaganza all those years ago. Glad you have settled well in Scotland. Take care and best wishes to you both. XxJoyce xx
Fantastic to hear from you too Joyce, we are very happy here thanks and I’m enjoying getting back into blogging a bit more. Glad to hear you’re journaling, I’ll share some of my journals later in the week. Best wishes to you too. xx
Thank you for this lovely honest post . I am glad you are feeling creative again . The colours in the pictures are glorious . Looking forward to seeing more . Take care
Thanks Victoria, I’m sure I’ll be getting back to painting again soon as well.
Lovely post Glenda, hope you and Adrian are staying sane and positive, this will soon pass and your studio doors can be flung open to the world. X
We’re fine thanks and yes, really looking forward to getting everything back on track here.