SPRING IS IN THE AIR
A welcome start to March as it appears the foul weather has broken and it has finally stopped the relentless rain. This now means more demand on my free time as I have other errands and commitments to keep me occupied; having said that, I have still made steady progress on both new and existing works in the studio. The weekly YouTube cadence remains manageable and, although it does take up some of that free time, it has helped sharpen my focus on the artwork.
I have finished the Commissar portrait (will be my submition for the Emsworth Arts Trail preview night in March)— one of a few I plan to include in my DarkWood series — and momentum on ‘This Britain 11’ is picking up now that the Emsworth Arts Trail is only two months away. ‘This Britain 11’ is at that awkward stage where I question whether to carry on, but I know that if I push on for another week or two things will begin to come together, so a little extra focused studio time this week is needed.
‘The Commissar’. and yes they are mirrored lenses.
As I prepare for the Emsworth Arts Trail I need to do a full stock check and make a list of everything required: do I need more merchandise, which prints should I order, and what items do I plan to create for the display and visitor experience that will welcome people into my open studio and garden? There is a lot to organise and two months is not a great deal of time to do everything.
The YouTube channel is ticking along nicely. Thanks to the 30 people who have subscribed so far (2nd March). I seem to have settled into two types of video I can comfortably produce: the studio-blog pieces where I talk to camera intercut with B-roll of the studio and works in progress, and the ‘Draw/Paint with me’ videos where a fixed camera captures a current piece, mixing real-time, time-lapse, and voice-over. These are far harder to make than they look — many takes, audio edits and cut-and-paste work — but they are improving, and the practice will be useful as I prepare to make a speech at our daughter’s wedding later this year. So if you. haven’t check out the YouTube channel please do and I would be great if you can subscribe (its free you know).
Having fun making the thumbnails.
