TV Shows and Exhibition Experiences

Hello all!

Well I think we've finally had summer! Hopefully that week won't be all of it though, however, it has been nice to break out the sun cream instead of the rust remover!

I said I'd tell you all about the Flameworks exhibition that my husband, artist David Muddyman and I have had our work in this week.  The summer exhibition was entitled 'Pushing The Boat Out' and it co-incided with the Jazz and Blues Festival and with the Classic Boat Regatta so there has been plenty to see in the Barbican, Plymouth.  The venue, Relegacy Gallery, was a really lovely space with a gorgeous garden to show off some of the outdoor sculptures and a light and airy space upstairs. We've popped in a couple of times to see how sales were going and sadly for us, they could have been better.  Maybe the sunshine drove prospective buyers to the beach instead!  The staging of the exhibition by Flameworks personnel was superb, with Pimms and strawberries and cream at the private view. I would just like to say a big thankyou to them.

It was also lovely to meet a couple of new members, Rebecca Crawford and Peter Lanyon.

This brings me on to TV shows.  We're suckers for contemporary art and whenever we're on holiday we spend our time looking in galleries.  An artist friend recently told us about the BBC2 programme Show Me The Monet which aimed to find artists from around the UK to sell in the Mall Gallery, London.  Anyone could enter and the finalists had the opportunity to come in front of a panel of 3 experts who would then critique their work and if 2 or more of the panel voted for a piece it was put into the gallery for sale.  As a show I've really enjoyed it, but the very last episode made me more than a little bit mad!! A silversmith from Cornwall, Abigail Brown, introduced her magnifient three dimensional silver sculptural piece http://www.showmethemonet.tv/artwork-show15.php and was told that it was just decorative!! I work with silver and I cannot begin to imagine the hours, the skill, the precision and the passion involved in producing such a piece from one flat sheet and then to have to listen to experts as they decide 'it's craft and not art and therefore isn't right for the exhibition' - my heart went out to her. Ever since I've been wondering about how on earth we break down these barriers between art and craft.  Any ideas anyone?

So, what have I been up to this week?  Well, exciting news from Hung http://www.hung-inverness.co.uk/ who are selling my work apparently faster than I can get it to them - they have put the latest jewellery into a pop-up gallery Crochte http://www.crochte.co.uk/.  This means that for the first time I get to sell alongside my good friend Mhairi Wild who featured on my very first Collaborative blog and we've stayed in touch through email, Facebook and Twitter ever since.

My work on show at Crochte

Also in my latest news is that you can now find my work at Boo Gallery, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire http://www.boo.uk.com/

So what else has been happening?  Well there are some new aluminium designs on the way! I will introduce the first one this week and it's called Parma Violets - let me know whether you like it!

So I'll see you all soon and if you're in the vicinity of the Tavistock next Saturday - come and say hello to me at the Craft Market in Bedford Square!

How Do Galleries Find Artists?

Hello again folks!

Funny old weather this! I've been away to see my family and en route got diverted because of floods, saw another 4 closed roads that had me doubling back on myself more than once and finally ended up in a storm.  Saturday morning saw us diverted yet again for major flooding - my hearts go out to those affected.  It's supposed to be summer....... when's it going to happen????  Come on weather get your act together!  I'm really fed up of wearing my winter clothes!

Today has been another day where I've been thinking about what to do next.  I need some more galleries to stock my work - those that already stock me are showing good sales, but I really need more spread across the country.  I'd love to know how others approach stockists - I fear there is a magic formula unknown to me!! I've tried asking in the past, but that hasn't always worked either! Is there a way to become un-shy when approaching sellers? How do galleries find their new talent? I'm open to ideas so do let me know!

This weekend sees the opening of the Flameworks Summer Exhibition 'Pushing The Boat Out' at the Relegacy Gallery, New Street, The Barbican, Plymouth.  I've submitted work, but won't actually know what (if anything) will be included until I get there.  My husband, David Muddyman, is also hoping to exhibit this time so we'll keep our fingers crossed. For those interested the exhibition runs from 21st until the 29th July and is closed on Mondays.

Over the next week I plan to work on dyeing some new designs (preferably without the black thumb debacle of last time *note to self, buy sturdier gloves) and cutting them into some very exciting designs.  I'd really like to see if I could combine bronze with aluminium......... hhhhmmmmmm........new ideas............. watch this space!! And remember, you saw it here first!

Finally, did you all tell your other halves that if they really loved you they'd buy you a Shades Of Grey pendant? If not, whyever not? Direct them here with indecent haste!!! http://slicksilverjewellery.co.uk/page16.htm

See you all next week!