" Pud 'em up...pud 'em up!"

For reasons I'm not going to go into here, I've found myself , although having been producing my Hyperpointillist Artwork for well over 30 years, at the beginning again. Through self confidence issues..poor fitness and ignorance, I drifted away from the path that my talent was leading. Don't get me wrong...I've been as busy as a little bee in a hive dotting away..as you know! But I've become isolated by my own ...erm...isolation.

But in the last 18 months, I've lost weight...become a long distance runner and once again found the desire and the necessity to re-engage the gears for forward motion...( as opposed to standing...or sitting still!) ...the result being that it is true, body and mind are intrinsically related, and neglect of one over the other is bound to cause an imbalance...a dysfunction.

Having established the first tentative steps in selling my work once again, acquiring the abillity to mount and present my work thus saving lots of money I would otherwise have spent at the framers. I have now gone back on the trail to promote myself to Art dealers and Galleries.

today I loaded a bag and a portfolio with prints and a few original pieces and headed down into my own town to find places who would want to sell my work. I visited a Studio that once was a centre for contemporary art only to find the owner had retired some time ago. next I went to visit a fine art gallery and dealer I knew...only to find out they'd closed 3 years ago due to the downturn. The shop that opened in it's place however was now a gift shop and cafe. I spread my incredibly strange pictures on the cafe floor for the owner to see...she loved them but I need to speak to her sister who was the manager. I'd need to come back in an hour or so.

So I took myself off to 'Whitewall' a fine art dealer in the local Westfield mall. Whitewall is a chain of Art outlets specialising in British and European established and upcoming artists. the staff there loved my work and were impressed. But of course I'd have to apply to head office in Litchfield presenting them with jpegs and a resume. (this I did when I eventually got home!)

Next I had to 'waste' some time before returning to the gift shop after midday. I sat in the city's market place and unwrapped a small greaseproof paper parcel of digestive biscuits I'd brought from home and drank from a sports bottle of orange squash. A quizzical pigeon looked me over...hoping for a spare crumb. noticing the Quad Art Centre nearby. I popped in and sat in front of a video installation called 'Semiconductor' which was a 9 minute black and white film of flares on the surface of the sun ( must have been filmed in the 70's! ;) After seeing more wonderful installations and a giant swinging light bulb...I left.

I called in at the local Tourist Information who I noticed still had three of my prints boldly displayed in their window. Remembering that I'd left them for sale or return in 2008. In fact, I'd left quite a stack if I remember rightly! "I like these pictures" I said to the staff...but remarked on the fact that they'd been reduced in price." Aren't they selling very well?" I asked. I was surprised to hear them tell me that they'd once had quite few prints but they'd all been bought! Needless to say I've arranged to meet the manager and claim my earnings back!!!

I next found myself at the gift shop 'Mad Hares' where the manager showed interest in my small Derby Arboretum prints. I left a sample with her at her request and agreed to meet next week to discuss a possible deal for her to stock and sell them!

Next stop was the city museum...I'd exhibited there last in 1987! A new local artist's gallery/shop has opened...Sadly the manager was away today ...but I have her number and I'll be seeing her!

Quite a day you'll agree? I felt tired..achy from carrying all my stuff around but in a way elated and full of satisfaction that I'd taken a step towards doing what I should have done a long time ago. That and the exhibitions I've lined up next year..the appointment with a fine Art dealer/Gallery  later this month and my Face book page sales have brought a renewed sense of purpose and positivity to me.

Today was a good day!