The flywheel is spinning

Weekly Art Practice #10: Embracing Rejections, Moving Forward, submitting proposals with Power and Grace.

Every Saturday I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I’m fascinated by artistic practice – it’s not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist’s unique approach shapes their work, making it more than just a finished piece.

I’m considering collaborating with an art publicist to extend my reach, submitting a proposal for an exhibition in Bath. Reflecting on past press coverage and amusing incidents like a mistaken submission to ATHICA. I have been inspired by Cindy Shaoul to streamline my art sales process with an e-commerce site and to explore a series of symbolic memento mori paintings.

Continue reading for further artistic insights…

Thank you,

Thank you so much for joining me in my art practice this week.

I’ve been toying with the idea of working with an art publicist over the past year. Under my own volition I’ve managed to get some press over the past few years (you can see here) but someone who knows about Art and PR could get my work in bigger publications. I won’t mention who the person is yet, but it was a serendipitous event!

An application to a new art exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath was submitted. I feel great for getting it sent off, but let’s leave it to The Gods to decide whether it will be! Here’s part of my proposal:

While I have not yet had the opportunity to exhibit in Bath, I am thrilled to be scheduled to participate in the Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair in June and July. This forthcoming exhibition, coupled with my proposal to present a unique fusion of my collections titled “Memento Salutis” (Latin for “remember health”), promises to offer a fresh and captivating artistic experience.
“Memento Salutis” seamlessly blends two distinct yet thematically linked collections: “Fistula” and “Memento Mori.” Through this amalgamation, I aim to offer visitors a profound exploration of life, death, and the transformative power of art. “Fistula” chronicles my personal journey with chronic kidney failure, from diagnosis to dialysis, culminating in a life-saving transplant generously donated by my brother, Matthew, in 2022. Complementing this narrative, “Memento Mori” offers a poignant reflection on mortality, infused with hope and resilience. In total, the exhibition will feature 19 pieces, ranging in size from 25cm x 25cm to 96cm x 122cm, all elegantly framed for presentation.

Although I’m excited about this proposal, I’m not stressing about its fruition, if it’s the best thing for me, then it’s meant to be.

I submitted my work ATHICA, you’ll laugh at this, I thought I was submitting to a gallery in Athens, Greece, not Athens, Georgia! Well, it’s not that funny.

I’ve also had a couple of unsuitable connections after submitting my work this week (I’ll stop using the word rejections now, it’s not useful) I didn’t feel any pangs of sadness this time. My interiority is transforming.

Inspired by the artist Cindy Shaoul (Check out her gorgeous art), I’m creating an e-commerce website selling my work as she does. Can have the first sneak peek of a small section of the homepage:

I want to simplify everything so that when I create a new piece, it’s easy to add to the website and ready for sale.

I came across Cindy in a Medium article 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Art Career (I’ll put the link at the end). I don’t usually read “how to’ posts but I resonated with her art practice and dedication to personal development. She is as passionate as I am about advocating that people can become artists, especially children.

What else has been happening?

Well, I’ve been inspired to create a series of symbolic Memento Mori paintings. I’ve been experimenting with my sketchbook around how to include the classic symbols, skull, flower and hourglass.

These are totally rough but as Picasso said “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” I’ve found that the more I sketch, the more I visually see how things might work, simple I know, but we often miss the simple.

I have discussed with other artists how we have purchased numerous lovely sketchbooks but often fail to utilise them. That’s a thing of the past for me now, I use them a lot, and I have let go of the notion that they have to be used to create finished work!

The flywheel is moving my friends.

My favourite complimentary colour combo, Orange and blue in my day-to-day life this week:

My baby’s food tubs!

Thank you for joining me in my art practice for this week.

If any of my art moves and inspires you and you’d like to make a purchase. All you need to do is get in touch via steve@slart.me