Some questions to ask at the end of the year, looking back at what’s worked and what hasn’t. These can be used to journal about and take a little time to think over before rushing onto the next new thing , which is often my instinct.
Read MoreArtist’s open studios
November 14th and 15th
I’m excited to be taking part in this in person event
I’ll have lots of new paintings to show and a few works in progress . I am especially looking forward to meeting people as it’ll be the first in person event I’ve done this year - It’s always enjoyable to chat about art.
Open studios is a well attended and well organised event that included 80 studios all over the Waitakere region. You can find out about all the artists and studios as well as a handy map on the official Waitakere open studio’s site. It’s a good idea to pick a few and make a day or afternoon of it, stopping for a lunch somewhere like Deco.
new artworks
As well as the in person event I would like to do something online as well and thought I would share my tidy, visitor ready studio on facebook/ instagram by going live and also make my new mini paintings available. They are usually really popular and it’s nice to offer an affordable way of buying original art.
I went to an open studios event in Auckland City a few weeks ago and I enjoyed people’s spaces and asking questions and finding out about people’s process, where they got their frames made, how long they’ve been painting. I noticed no one had business cards, so I’ve made sure I’ve had some postcards to giveaway.
Another thing I looked out for, or listened out for was the kind of questions people asked. I’ve made a list of questions that often come up- This might be useful for artists doing open studios for the first time as it’s good to be prepared.
Questions for open studios
How do you begin your large paintings?
Do you decide what to paint before you start?
How long have you been painting?
What kind of paints do you use?
Which work is available?
Where do you get your frames made?
What’s your inspiration?
Is this your first time doing open studios?
I want to start painting again, do you have any advice?
Do you do commissions?
How do you sell your work?
Do you do prints?
How do you feel if people tell you they can see objects in your work?
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I hope to see you there,
If you can’t make it, I will post some updates on instagram and facebook between visitors.
What is the the 100 day project
Can I be creative with just 15 minutes ?
This is a project started by Elle Luna on Instagram where people aim to do something for 100 days and post online. It could be anything - write a poem, a drawing, some lettering.
I decided to complete a page in my sketchbook everyday. I wanted to have a moment of creativity everyday for 100 days and see the effect that has.
The plan was to select a maximum of three colours and to just play for 10, 15 minutes. I wanted to work out which colours worked well together. As well, I hoped that by getting my brushes out, that 15 mins would turn into more painting time and lead to me working on other things.
Since starting this project, I’ve found that I’m thinking about what I want to do in my my sketchbook during the day, even if it’s just something as simple as “ the colour yellow” . It has kept me feeling focussed on my creative side , even on those days when the day is full of work and domestic tasks, I have that moment waiting for me.
I started off really well, going into the studio and setting out my paints, but then I had a few busy days - my child with a broken finger , then a cat with an injured leg , and I ended up leaving it until 11.30 at night, using my daughter’s crayons in the lounge. I didn’t stick to the maximum 3 colours rule I had imposed, but that’s ok, rules are meant to be broken sometimes. That was ok, at least I completed the page. Then, we had the Easter break and I actually forgot all about it for 4 days. So, I’m planning to play catch up to make it to day 22.
I think one issue is that I was taking a long time on these sketchbook pages, making them like layered paintings, when I really just wanted them to be colour studies. I predict the next few pages are going to be more simplistic. I’m determined to get back on this as I really don’t like to give up on things.
