End of the year email. Grab a cuppa, sit back, relax... it's a bit of a long one!
I think it's safe to say that 2024 didn't quite turn out as expected.
This time a year ago:
I was looking forward to an arty holiday in Morocco,
Starting a few gel printing workshops to see how they would be received,
An exhibition in July with a friend, where most of my work was ready to hang,
A more chilled out Open Studios in September opening my own studio along with exhibiting and stewarding at Lamport Hall.
Towards the end of the year, the annual Heseltine Gallery Open and the Rugby Museum and Art Gallery Open were on my list of exhibition venues.
In the studio I was planning on working on some pieces inspired by The Art of Anthropologie (a book I received last Christmas), along with no-pressure explorations, just following my instincts.
I also had plans to write newsletters more frequently,
upload more videos on youTube (I have plenty of footage)
update my website.
Maybe that was quite ambitious, but it didn't really feel like it!
This is what actually happened:
I started two works inspired by the book, using objects from around the studio: things that would otherwise be thrown away or recycled.
I had the best time in Morocco and came home with one side of a concertina sketchbook ALMOST complete, so I spent time working on finishing that. Take a look here.
By then the 100-day project had arrived and I decided it was a good opportunity to use up some of the collage papers that are taking over the shelves and drawers in the studio. I am happy to say I completed the project, but I'm not sure it made much of an impact on my collage paper stash. I enjoyed the challenge of using a different "set" of papers every 10 days. I think my favourites pieces were made with black & white papers, which was quite a surprise for me.
2024 - what a year!
30 December 2024
Day 34 - my favourite collage from the 100 days project
100 day project from Day 1 top left to Day 100 bottom right!
During April I started working for a local arts organisation, doing website updates and uploading courses and workshops. I've enjoyed doing this and it's easy to fit in around all the other things going on.
In April I also started advertising gel printing workshops at my home studio. I hoped to do one workshop per month until the end of the year... but I've actually hugely surpassed this target. I've really enjoyed hosting workshops and had some lovely feedback as well.
In July Susan and I held our first joint exhibition in The Three Hares Gallery in Olney - Patterns, Pots and Plants. We enjoyed it so much that we booked the gallery space again for July 2025. Watch out for 'PPP2'!
Patterns, Pots and Plants at The Three Hares Gallery, Olney, July '24.
In August I finished these two pieces, started in January, ready for the Open Studios Central exhibition at Lamport Hall. Monsieur's meadow (left) and Poppies at sunset (right) are both still available, £150 each.
In September I opened my studio and had the best time with lots of people visiting to 'have a go' at gel plate printing, LOTS of wonderful arty chats, feedback, as well as some lovely sales (thank you)! The central exhibition was bigger and better than ever.
In October I learned about spaces coming up for artists to show their work for free. A couple of shops within the Swansgate Shopping Centre in Wellingborough were available for a 13-week pop-up. I applied, and along with my friend Claire, we are currently occupying a large shop: running workshops and selling original art, prints and cards. We have the space until 18 January and my workshop on 7 January is fully booked! I'm so grateful for this unexpected opportunity to show my work in a new space and meet lots of new people. Sharing the experience with Claire has been just wonderful.
Fun with Claire Mycock and workshop participants in the Swansgate Shopping Centre, Wellingborough.
In November, not only was it time for the Heseltine Open Exhibition, but I found myself in a position to co-curate the exhibition alongside fellow committee member and artist friend, Louise and help from long-term gallery supporter Sue with the 3D submissions. What a great experience! We also tried online submission for the first time and a large part of getting that ready fell to me, in my volunteer role of social media and website manager.
From this…
… to this …
Unfortunately, all these new experiences and adventures meant that something(s) had to slip. I didn't really get to create many new pieces of artwork this year. I was a little disappointed that I didn't feel I had anything good enough to submit to the Rugby Museum and Art Gallery Open.
My no-pressure explorations for studio time felt directionless and I even felt bouts of creative block, from the Summer onwards. I'm not really surprised with so many other things filling my head.
My website is desperately in need of updating now, but the year has helped me organise ideas for how I might want to do this.
Newsletters and youTube: well I started off well but this had also started slipping by the summer. I'm motivated to do better with the newsletters after writing one every week to those who signed up to our Wellingborough Shop / workshop updates. I think I really can write something on a monthly basis and maybe* they won't get super long like this one. Just need to make sure it's in the diary.
*not promising
Results of my card pack poll from August!
Well.... I did say I'd share the results!
75% of voters chose option 2: 3 pairs of cards in a pack, and 25% chose option 1: 3 cards each of two designs to make a pack of 6.
In the end, I let people make up their own packs from any of the cards available and I reckon I sold more cards than I would have done by restricting the options! If you voted, thank you, I found it interesting to see the results.
If you want to purchase any of my cards let me know and I'll be happy to make up your own custom pack(s). A minimum order is 4 cards for £12 including postage within mainland UK. If you live elsewhere let me know and I'll get straight back to you with the cost.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
There's just time to say thanks so much for sticking with me! Through the long emails and the bouts of silence. It means so much.
Let's see what 2025 brings... I hope it's happy and healthy, and you are able to spend time with people that mean the world to you!
Bye for now,
Lucy
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