The time has come to take down the bunting and return my studio to something resembling a place of work (where I can splash away without fear of spraying finished works with fresh paint!). This was my second year of Herts Open Studios and the first to be run from my home studio. Last year was at Baldock Arts Centre, which was a large space with a coffee shop and plenty of room for me and my paintings. As it is in the town centre there was a steady footfall of locals - though even then I only managed around 30 people a day. Art isn't everyone's cup of tea, especially if there is the added 'danger' that they may have to speak to the actual artist! I might even persuade them to buy something... This year, due to lack of locations and the fact I had recently converted my garage into a studio, I decided to play it from home. There was an expected danger that nobody would come. I live in a quiet estate on the outskirts of Hitchin - there is little passing trade. My hopes entirely rested on the promotional materials and advertising produced by Herts Visual Arts and myself. The first two weeks were dire and my studio was steadily filling with tumbleweed. The weather was wet and windy and I was hardly able to keep my door open as it was freezing. The last weekend picked up, however, and numbers of visitors dramatically reached the teens! A mixture of people came along, good friends, some neighbours popping in on the off-chance, some following the Open Studios art trail and others from my course at The Settlement. All were very welcome and it was lovely to chat and show off my work. The studio was looking nice in the sunshine and I even had both doors flung open to the wide world. I managed to sell some prints and greetings cards, so overall, I broke even on my initial HVA entry fee. I also got down to some painting, which is a GOOD thing! As to doing it again? I think I need a period of quiet reflection - perhaps there is a more appropriate platform out there for my artwork! Meanwhile my course Art Of The Landscape has started at The Letchworth Settlement! I have 11 lovely students with me every Friday morning learning how to compose and create landscape paintings. This coming lesson will involve some plein-air painting so I'm crossing my fingers for dry weather! There are still places available for my other course at the end of October should anyone want to learn about Acrylic Painting. All paints are supplied in the cost - so please contact The Settlement as soon as you can! www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk/
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