Update #7 - Where I paint my absolute socks off, introduce some Little Wobbles, and fret about framing

This is where I share what I’ve been up to behind the scenes to move my art career forward - the good, the bad, and the as-yet-to-be-determined. 

I have been painting, painting, PAINTING since I last wrote! In the last two weeks I have not only completed the 14 new paintings for my upcoming Tussie Mussie exhibition, I’ve also completed 100 tiny paintings (yes, you read that right - 100!) for the very special secret project I alluded to in my last missive. (Actually, I miscalculated when I was counting out the paper so I’ve actually done 107 - 🙀)

This fortnight I’ve also been enjoying observing how this business is taking shape, and how that shape is radically different from other businesses I’ve run. I’ve been bumping up against some new challenges as I chug along, and I have some juicy logistical problems to solve in the coming weeks.

This month’s Rose, Bud, & Thorn

The Rose is something that went well, the Thorn is something that didn’t go so well or is challenging, and the Bud is something that is still percolating…

ROSE

I am SO HAPPY with the Tussie Mussie paintings! I was freaking out a little bit whilst I was getting them done - they seemed to take ages to get to the good place - but once I finished them and spread them all out in front of me in the studio I felt this delicious warm glow. They are exactly what I’d hoped they would be and I’m fucking DELIGHTED! I’ll be showing a few of them off on my Instagram over the next couple of weeks so do pop over there and give me a follow if you haven’t already!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working with an awesome local photographer on an amazing photoshoot of both my new work, and my lovely studio. I wanted some gorgeous pics of the space and me working and just some general artist brand imagery to zhush up my website and socials etc. She got some amazing shots and I can’t wait to see the final images next week.

BUD

So you know that special secret project I keep talking about? Well, I’ll give you the full scoop next week, but I can’t keep it to myself a moment longer. I’m opening an online shop! So all of you lovely people who don’t happen to live in Copenhagen can also easily buy my work (should you be so inclined). I’ll be launching on Monday 13th November with an online exclusive collection of 100 tiny cats!

Based on my popular Je Suis Wibbly-Wobbly collection, the minis (or Little Wobbles, as they’ve become known) are just 4x6 inches (approx 10.5x15 cm), and will be available for a limited period of time at a very special price. Perfect for Christmas presents!

Stay tuned for more info - it’ll be dropping here first.

THORN

Finally, there have been a few thorny issues cropping up. I’ve been stressing out about no one showing up to my opening, and having to sit there by myself pretending it’s fine. I’m fairly sure it’s not going to be an issue - lots of people have said they’ll come, but my poor brain is prone to catastrophising.

I’m also fretting about framing - I found a great supplier for cheap-but-still-decent floater frames for the Tussie Mussie canvases, but I could only get them in black. I mean, I could have gotten them in white but they were TWICE THE PRICE!!! Nope.

I figured I could paint them white myself (black just feels too heavy). I have all the stuff to do it but I’m procrastinating in a big way because what if they look shit and I end up having to use black frames or buying the white ones anyway and wasting all that money etc etc etc. I need to just do one and see how it goes, but yeah - more catastrophising.

Last, but not least, I’ve been too busy making work to do any real work on the business end. I know this is part and parcel of running an art business, but it’s the first time I’ve come up against this particular issue and it’s given me pause. Leaning even more heavily into a seasonal/cyclical way of working might be the answer. Obviously, some periods are going to be very creation heavy, and other periods will be more focused on marketing, or networking, or whatever.

Reminding myself to zoom out and see things as a whole is really helpful (regardless of what period I’m in), as well as building some systems for marketing & sales etc which mean I can disappear into creation cave every now and again without having to worry about losing momentum. I’ll keep experimenting with this and let you know what I come up with.