Quote, “ you are an artist, you are so lucky your life must be so relaxing.”
This is a common statement made by non artists.
Yes I am lucky to be an artist, I do what I love. I create, I make and I challenge myself to do better.
But relaxing, this is the story of three months of work for a one day exhibition.
In January of 2019 I was invited to take part in the Perth Art Upmarket exhibition.
This one day exhibition in April was held in Winthrop Hall at the University of Western Australia. Winthrop Hall is the jewel in the crown of UWA , built in 1932 with a marble and mosaic foyer and cathedral like vaulted ceilings. What a great venue to showcase art.
I accepted the invitation and started to plan my work, themes, colours, mediums and subject. It was important to consider the space and make work that would complement this great opportunity. I also had to consider signage, lighting, labeling and plinths to display ceramics.
I am well experienced at working to a deadline having had many exhibitions during the last 25 years and have found a visible schedule/timeline to be very valuable. This schedule, had written on a large piece of paper and pinned to me studio wall will include. How many and sizes of paintings, how many and sizes of work on paper and ceramic pieces. Making, drying, glazing, booking kiln space and firing time for ceramics, critical to get this right. Every day the schedule is checked to make sure that I am on track.
And so the work started.
Painting on canvas and paper, long conversations with Tim, “ do you like this one, I really am not happy with the way that one is going, scrap it.”
Most do make the grade but some don’t and are takes off the stretchers and cut up. Some happen fast, some take time and are put aside to rest for a few days. Working into the night, unable to leave my studio. Eager the next morning to start again.
And when I wasn’t painting I was at Gaya Ceramic Studio working on my ceramic pieces. Continuing to develop my Fish Wife series and influenced by our recent trip to Morocco, some Casbar inspired pieces.
As paintings and ceramics were completed they were hung and displayed in my studio so I could see that the themes and colours I had planned were working together. The work was photographed and titled.
This work continued for three months, always exciting, never a grind.
Who was it who said, “ life wasn’t meant to be easy “.
Because the studio I was creating all of this work in is in Ubud and because the exhibition this work was to be shown in is in Perth, next stage was packing and transporting.
Paintings were taken off the timber stretchers and rolled. Paper pieces were packed between timber plywood and ceramics were packed into foam boxes.
80 kilos of work, the maximum weight we can bring with us on the flight from Bali to Perth. The weight of the work was also considered and included on my schedule, no good getting to the airport with 200 kilos.
Arriving in Perth, and off to pick up the booked hire van.
Lucky enough to stay with very good friends who accept of craziness. Two days until the event, paintings to be re stretched, ceramics unpacked and checked for any breaks, amazingly none!
Up at 6 am and finally off to the show. Two hours to set up and get ready for the influx of hungry art buyers. And what a great day. Of course, sales could always be better but I was very happy and have booked my place at Perth Art Upmarket in October of this year.
Relaxing, no but challenging, rewarding, frustrating, compelling and something I would not change even if I would.
It is art and it is my life.
