Blog

I've not been painting much lately, far too many other things seem to have been getting in the way. But I have been watching videos  of Instagram LIVEs of my favourite artists. Knowing that I should try and get off my backside and join in, but then I remember there's technical stuff to be getting on with, and the housework is screaming to be done.

Sometimes on a good day all I manage to do is empty the dishwasher and put on two loads of laundry and of course walk the dog, before my husband gets home from work. Living with a chronic illness definitely has its downsides, especially when you're unable to leave the house.  But on good days I do leave the house briefly with my dog and it's great, I am a stone's throw from two gorgeous parks and woodland.

Currently I've been losing all track of time while I'm trying to rebuild my website. Moving from one provider to another and cutting ties with old subscription based newsletters. I'm delighted to have found a website provider, FASO, who supply not only a dedicated email address to go with my website, but covers the newsletter too. The addition of weekly marketing updates, support forum and competitions is just a bonus. My website might not be as slick as before, but it shows off my artwork, allowing people to purchase direct and tells visitors a little bit about me and my ethos. There's even 'POD' (print on demand) and  'In Your Room' sections, that I've yet to activate, and probably lots more I have yet to attend one of the seminars.

So all in all we'll have to see how it performs. At least I'll be saving money which is the main thing.

I've also entered a couple of digital exhibitions this month, one in the Andakulova Gallery, Dubai, and one in the Thomson Gallery 

Zug, Switzerland.

This keeps up my exposure and maintains my relevance in the art world.

I was also contacted by a fellow artist who encouraged me to enter an abstract art open call competition this month.

I didn't win one of the financial top prizes but I did get placed in the final 12 and will feature on a calendar.

I have actually decided to invest in myself too this year.  I've arranged a call with a gallery owner for some advice which should be interesting. I'll try and pick her brains regarding my Artist's Bio and Statement, and get her to run an eye over my Instagram account and critique my paintings. You never know I could be just fooling myself and it might all be best kept as a hobby, who knows?

I'm very glad to have some collectors though who have validated my worth as an artist, and AJ Akoun has valued my paintings to be worth more than I'm asking so I feel comfortable with my pricing point. I still find it embarassing taking money from friends and family!??

After walking Pepper in the mornings, if Giles has gone to work in London, I then climb onto my big chair with a cup of coffee and open up my computer. It's a big ask as I try to focus my tired brain, from broken sleep the night before, but find that I can't concentrate on one thing for very long. All the time I am flitting from website building, to reading and answering emails, and researching accessible residencies for the hope of joining one in the very near future.

All this as well as trying to search for a more suitable home to move to that meets our exacting criterior. No seriously, you don't want to know the list of 'wants' that the new property needs to accommodate to get us to move. It might be the reason we've stayed in the same house for 26 years.

So not much of a big task but somehow I'm managing it. Oh, and with Christmas coming up I'm even remembering to buy the occasional gift online too!