I’ve spent the week sorting work for exhibition and sale which in itself is a dreadful business and so time consuming – several hours ruminating on what to submit is the greatest consumer of time. Then there is the mounting and framing when the tiniest speck of something always manages to find itself between the mount and the glass – even if you check it a zillion times. Where does it come from? And the pricing of everything  – another minefield! This is punctuated throughout by spikes of doubt about the work – is it actually worthy of framing and putting in front of people?

But here is my therapy. What started out as a not very satisfactory acrylic painting of a view on the Dorset-Wiltshire border has turned into a satisfying colouring-in project! As the week has progressed I have added and subtracted acrylic paint using scalpel, palette knife or whatever tool was to hand, added chalk pastels and soft crayon, de-structured and re-arranged,  thoroughly working out my angst with a satisfying result. You can probably see some of my week’s frustrations in the more random marks. It’s all part of the learning curve and more fun than trimming and mounting work.

So where am I?

Exhibiting with the Newbury Art Group in the Town Hall, Newbury, until Sunday 3rd December, 9.30-4.00pm

Selling some of my work – cards, prints, originals – at City Arts Christmas Fair, also in Newbury, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December, 10-4pm