Learning, exhibition announcement.

So as part of the Welcome to the neighbourhood project, I've spent the last couple of weeks going to the high schools on the island and doing workshops on conceptual thinking (the process I use to come up with artwork ideas) I must say there are a number of very talented young people around and I do hope some of them take it further.

I must say I'm very pleased with some of the work produced in the workshops and as a result some students work will feature in the final show.

Chico & Rita (the animation I worked on for 15 months) premiered last Thursday, myself and some of the team I worked within went to see it, it was nice to see the end result, having never seen the fully finished film, it was nice to finally close the book on the project which my involvement began in November 2008.

unfortunately I'm now very far behind with the work for the next show.

The next show "One Night Stand" will be at the courthouse bar on 17th January 2011, so I'd best get painting.

Exhibition 2 and procrastination

Now all the excitement (and stress) is over from the first show, I'm now ready to begin work properly on the second exhibition. I did a painting yesterday but felt it was far too similar (in colour at least) to the work produced for carpe diem. I think for this next body of painting I may try and combine the painterly styles from Carpe Diem with a more bold graphic composition.

Much of the last show was about backgrounds and clouds (and fish) so may move focus on the human figure more for this show.

I think I will begin properly on this on thursday and aim to have 5 paintings done for Monday (believe me I need to set myself these little deadlines or nothing would ever get done, I am an olympic level procrastinator after all.

First show is up!

Even though it was a dark and horrible night the attendance for the first part of the show was brilliant, Tanroagan (the venue) was packed from opening to closing, the show had a great friendly and relaxed atmosphere even though it was so busy. I managed to sell a large number of works at the show (something I wasn't sure would happen given that this show was not in a gallery). It was a good mix of people there too, there were a number of MHKs (manx politicians), the mayor of Douglas as well as People who were interested in the project, all in all a very good night. I'm now going to take a well deserved break for a day or two before working on show number 2, which is due to open in mid January.

here are some photos courtesy of Rosie Irvine: