Change of provider

Between house-painting and general chores I found time to change providers! My main website is now here. The address is temporary and will return to fapj a.s.a.p. As you probably came here after the quick link failed to work, you can continue on your journey by pressing the first of these two links!

Actually, it's quite nice not to be painting canvases for a while. The exhibition was a tour de force and I need time to recover! I don't usually devote much energy to "keeping house", but humble chores can be quite rewarding now and again.

Christmas is pending, of course. You can't miss it. People drape their houses and gardens with fairy lights - not always a pretty sight, especially if they are green and blue and without any apparent sign of design. Down the road, someone has put a santa costume on a shrub. I think that's a bit over the top.  The stores are full of sweetmeats (nice word, that) and all sorts of stuff one is presumably meant to give away on the appropriate date. I'm not really into Christmas. It was lovely when the kids were small, but these days I just watch old films on telly and cook a bit more lavishly than usual.

Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2009 winners

Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2009 winners

Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2009 winners

Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2009 winners

Aftermath

I suppose it's the same with everyone. After massive exertion comes a time of rest! Well, not quite. The run-up to the exhibition was really tough and left my studio in a terrible mess. That's been my main task area this week. At last I have sorted out old work, built shelves to hold some of the equipment in an accessible place, and reviewed older paintings, many of which I would not consider exhibiting and no longer even own up to in a few cases, so they can actually be got rid of. That will be the next job!

What next? A dignified end to the year, practising my watercolour skills - I love watercolour, but can't say I've mastered it to any degree. I marvel at the exquisite paintings in the many books I have on the subject. Absolutely magical skills I cannot dream of emulating.......But it's worth a try.

The period between the years is actually reserved for getting the new chorus programme arranged. Although I have many arrangements ready to sing, I keep finding songs I really want to hear performed. That is also a most enjoyable and thankful occupation which keeps me from moping during the Christmas break, most of which I spend entirely alone, since I have no family here except my children, who understandably don't want to spent all their time hanging around me! I've learnt to occupy myself. I should really have a spate of writing, but can't find the inspiration. I know it's a case of getting down to it, but painting and arranging music have a stronger pull on my energy.

This all sounds a bit pessimistic, but actually I'm an optimist and to prove it I'm going to go to the art store and get one or two basic watercolours that are either missing or are running out. They won't turn me into an expert watercolourist, but they will make the job of trying more satisfying!

Geschafft

50 Bilder hängen seit gestern und die Vernissage (mit musikalischer Begleitung von meinem Chor) glücklich vorüber! 7 Stunden mit Unterstüzung für das Hängen. Problematisch. Muss eine bessere Lösung suchen für's nächste Mal! Aber vorher hole ich etwas Schlaf nach und male eine paar Wände bei mir zu Hause an. Das Foto entstand während der Aufbauphase.

We managed to get the 50 odd paintings hanging the right way up and more or less straight. Not an easy task and it took us 7 hours hard grind with an inordinate amount of ladder-climbing. I'm not happy with my hanging system. I'll have to find a better solution for next time - preferably one that doesn't require such a lot of work. Before that I'll catch up on some sleep and paint a few walls in my flat. The photo was taken during our preparations yesterday.

Art Wanted slide Show

Simon's cat

Tomorrow is D for Done Day. Then all the paintings have to be ready to go!
Then I can get back to blogging!