In Praise of Galleries

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

I love working in my studio, especially when I’m planning something new. There’s nothing like pulling the first proof off the press, even if it’s a disaster. I like editioning too – there’s something very satisfying about a pile of finished prints, ready to go out to galleries (or more likely, ready to go straight into the plan chest).
But what I’m not so keen on is having to sell my own work. I don’t like invigilating at exhibitions or sitting at art fair stands.
I’m not a natural salesperson, and I find it all very tiring, especially when answering questions like “How long did that take?” or “When I was at school I was good at art” or even “Have you got that in a bigger size/different colour?” Every now and again I have to sit in the stock cupboard for a bit of a breather….
So anyway, I’m really happy to pay my galleries’ commission to sell my work and then I can go back to what I do best – hiding in my studio…..

New Print – Progress Proof

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

This is a quick photo (sorry about the flash) taken of the three blocks printed together, using purple (instead of the original brown), pale blue-grey, and crimson (instead of the original scarlet). The last block has now been cut and I’ll probably print it in yellow and/or orange.
I did think it might be interesting to chart the progress of a linocut being made but actually it’s been a bit repetitive.
Well, I guess I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves…..

Glasgow Art Fair

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

Glasgow Art Fair is upon us and the studio is mostly a hive of activity – we can hardly move for bubble wrap, frames and piles of prints everywhere.
Speaking personally, I like to leave everything to the last minute and will most probably give myself a nervous breakdown instead….
Anyway, I have a limited number of tickets for the Private View on Wednesday 24th March 6.30-9.00 or the Corporate View on Thursday 25th March 7.00-9.00 if anyone would like one ( the tickets admit two). Just email me with your details if you’re interested….

New print – third block

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

Cutting the third block and inking up in red….

New print – second block

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

This is the second block, cut and ready to print- in a pale blue or grey- to act as a neutral base for the next colours.

New Print – Inked Up

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

Here is the first block, inked up with a rich dark brown as a base colour and the very lightest areas cut away.

New Print – First Block

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

The first of four blocks, with the drawing transferred, ready to cut….

New Linocut in Progress

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

I’m embarking on a new linocut of Kings Cross station, which I love as it’s so run-down and grungy.

Anyway, here is the working drawing….

New Linocut- Exodus

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

A truly terrible photo of my new linocut, Exodus, depicting platform 8 at Kings Cross train station. Measuring 70cms x 40 cms, it is the biggest size my old Albion Press can print.
The bed size is double crown – not sure what that means exactly -but I do wonder if I could customize it to print a longer block, by taking the tympan off and having a longer support extending out to the side, to carry the extra length of lino and paper.
Once I have printed one end, I could turn the whole thing around and feed it through so the other end get printed too .
Mind you, I’m not sure there’s much of a market for two metre long linocuts…..

Running a Small Business

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Gail Brodholt

If anyone had said to me, back when I was an art student, that earning a living from your work would have to include running a small business, I’d have laughed. After all, artists supposed to be above all that, aren’t they?
But still – I have a work premises – my studio – to maintain, with rent increases, heating costs, parking restrictions, etc. to consider.
I sell a product – my paintings and prints – and I worry a lot about the effects of the recession on my sales. and how to maximize those sales by finding new outlets – fairs, galleries, open exhibitions, etc..
I need to use the services of other small businesses – web designers, accountants, photographers, couriers – and then I have to find a way to pay them.
I have to buy my materials – paint, ink, paper, canvas, etc, and other essentials – stationery, business cards, acetate, and so on .
Who’d have thought that art schools are quietly turning out versatile business people? Well not me – I think we have to learn those skills the hard way….