The art of organisation ….

…. and the organisation of art. I know that “organisation” is not a word normally associated with artists. Nevertheless, as somebody married to a former university administrator, I have picked up a few tips over the years. Apart from anything else, disorganisation is demoralising, and I find that art depends upon morale.

In fact, I have largely taken a rest from any kind of directly creative activity over the Christmas/New Year period, but I am pleased to say that the task of tidying up life has gone ahead very well. The job I finished today was the updating of my log-books, in which I keep photographs of all my work, together with associated technical information.

Also, over the past few days I have been making some proper decisions about framing. This is an expensive proposition, and it is possible to spend huge amounts on it. I wanted to know whether it might be possible to save money by doing some of this myself. The answer, incidentally, is both “Yes” and “No”. I reckon that I should be capable of doing a reasonable job on acrylic pieces on canvas, where a simple frame is suitable. Anything requiring glass is a bit more complex, and I don’t want to get into glass-cutting. I have produced one experimental piece, which is encouraging.

The most important task I have been addressing, however, is the production of a schedule of applications for competitive exhibitions. Clearly, I don’t want to drive myself crazy by approaching too many of them. On the other hand, I do want to put myself about in venues which are likely to give sympathetic consideration to what I do. I’ve drawn up a schedule of five possibilities, spread over the year. There may well be others, but this is a good framework to start with.

The biggest task which confronts me, on which I have made little progress so far, is the revision of this web-site. Here I have encountered an important glitch, in that I can’t find the file containing directions about editing it. As I said, organisation is important for artists ….

Anyway: to end on a more positive note, I do wish a very happy new year to all visitors to this blog. I hope that we will stay in mutually satisfying contact through the coming year. My sincere thanks to those of you who have continued to take an interest in the past.