I cant believe that AIPP has finished for another year. Unfortunately neither Michelle nor I sold any paintings this year but thats the way it goes. The Wrap up party is tonight where they present awards and show the video of all the exhibits and this is usually good. Im taking down the paintings today and then its off to Heathcote with a car full of paintings and drawings to the Lions Club exhibition. Thought I might drop in on the Grace Kelly exhibition in Bendigo on the way home.
Art in Public Places
After 6 intense months of painting and drawing Michelle Thompson and I hung our art work in the Prince Albert on Friday as part of the Hobsons Bay Art in Public Places initiative. Phew ! We stood and gazed around the finished result with a huge sense of relief and I guess to be honest a bit of pride. Its always a huge sense of achievement once you see your art work out of the studio and on the walls in a public space. Its also a sense of “god I hope people like it, I hope they dont point and laugh, I really hope I sell at least one to validate that Im not wasting my time!”
On Thursday, after I had made the final touches to the paintings, and this year I took a lot of care making sure the canvases were finished off properly ie. they all have good hooks and wires, wedges and re touch varnish. This probably doesnt mean a lot to most but basically the paintings will remain square, wont fall off the wall and will have a slightly shiny look. I tidied up my studio which had become a bomb site with all the activity, put on the Adele soundtrack which was the inspiration for my first couple of portraits and sat and said a silent goodbye to each of them and wished them luck on their journey. I know Im ridiculously sentimental about my paintings but I think its because I do portraits that I end up having a relationship with each painting and it is a bit hard to let them go. But go they must ! I have no room in my studio anymore and I already have a million ideas for new projects……but Im getting ahead of myself.
Ive tried to upload the best images of each painting but the colours and details just arent as true as Id like, so if you can, please get along to the Prince Albert Hotel in Douglas Parade Williamstown for my exhibition, which is on until the end of April, it is still by far the best way of seeing the work.
Michelle Downing 