Sunday 26 June 2011

Sunday catch up

Why does it have to be all or nothing with our weather?  The heat doesn't suit me so I have been hanging around inside today close to open doors and windows.  I wanted to relax in the garden, but even the shade is rather too warm and Mr T who doesn't seem to be effected by the heat has been pottering in his vegetables, so I have been trying to find homes for the things I have brought back from the Open Studios. Sally and I have declared the event a success and we both made enough sales to make it worthwhile.  We both want to say 'thank you' to all our visitors and to those who made purchases.  I met some very interesting people, many of them Sally's friends as she is well established in the local arts community, but also some unexpected treats, like the elderly neighbour of hers who brought us some examples of her work in 'Design' magazine from the 1950s and a sample of her wallpaper design of that period. What a treat that was. I also want to say thank you for your 'bloggy' encouragement and to Chrissie for making a visit. 
I still have a couple of busy weeks ahead, but after that I am looking forward to some more intense creativity. I have been fired up and feeling a bit creatively frustrated.  Thank goodness for Postman's Knock which has meant I have had to produce a bit of art.
Gina's theme of Concealment and Revelation had me stumped for quite a while.  I was thumbing through my postcards bought from galleries and exhibitions when I came across Michaelangelo's David which I had bought in Florence (The postcards not him!) See this piece of work was one of those moments you never forget - along with every other bit of art we could cram into the visit, and I thought it would be good to be able to recreate that feeling. However my naughty side took over, especially when I realised I could not recreate my idea of a series of doors leading to the image on a post card sized piece of work in a week!
I had to make do with one door, but added the tab to build up the anticipation for the reveal.



I did hesitate a bit with the leaf and the joke, but I reckoned I had the measure of everyone's sense of humour....  Luckily Gina says this her favourite piece of art - I don't know if she has seen him - I hope she has, but I am very pleased my precious postcard has gone to a good home.  (I do have four others taken at different angles.) The door is one of my photographs resized to fit.
My postcard(s) from Lesley were a treat. She had said that she thought her original idea was too close to some others, but how different can a window be? I loved the window cleaner polishing up that beautiful view.  I could do with sitting by a lake today.
 Of course Lesley had found the perfect card to go with the pictures showing a window with a model fishing boat evoking fishermen's huts and fresh fish for tea.  But her second post card is a gem.  A couple of doggies in a window, which of course all us ladies of a certain vintage will remember from Uncle Mac's Children's Favourites, a Saturday morning radio programme, along with my other favourites 'Tubby the Tuba' and 'Sparky and his Magic Piano' and ... I could go on, but I won't...
What great fun the project is turning out to be.


Have a good week everyone.
Jill

8 comments:

menopausalmusing said...

Another one here who didn't deal with yesterday's heat too well..... however, it has got me up nice and early today. It was good to read just how successful your open studios event was and you must be really pleased with yourself. . . and quite right too! Loved your naughty card and those from Lesley. Eleven cards to produce sounded a mammoth task at the beginning but we are rattling through them...........

thekathrynwheel said...

Ha ha! I love your cheeky postcard :-)

Marigold Jam said...

Glad your open studio went well. I loved the weather yesterday but then I didn't have to work just to sit in the shade in the morning and late afternoon and to potter indoors with all windows open during the rest of the day - bring it on for me like that though was glad I no longer live in France where the temperature was well in the 30s!

Loved your card and Lesley's too. It is fun seeing everyone's take on the themes isn't it?

Maggi said...

Glad the open studios went well. Wish I lived close enough to have paid a visit. Love the David postcard. Definitely one to provoke a giggle.

Jane said...

So glad it all went well. The card is inspired - difficult theme that one, I know I started wth it! Lovely memories of Uncle Mac - I loved Sparky and the laughing Policeman. My daughter once played the piccolo in a concert version of Tubby the Tuba, great fun.
My postcard to Jo hasn't appeared on Postman's knock yet so I fear our post is up to tricks again.

Gina said...

I loved my "naughty" postcard Jill and yes I have seen him for real... twice now and I could happily go back again and again. I spent a lot of time drawing him on our last visit. Sorry I didn't make it over to your open studios.

Emma said...

I'm priveleged to have seen the real David & just love your card!

I'm lucky, too, to be by the water, a light breeze keeping the midges away, sure, sometimes I can't see it thru the rain & only know it's there by the lapping/crashing waves. Must allow myself more time to actually sit by it, tho!

Chrissie said...

It's great to hear your open studios was a success - it was certainly an inspirational visit for me. Your cards are lovely, but now you've started me off singing Nellie the Elephant...!