So my second year as an Open Studio in Purbeck Art Weeks from May 26 to June 07. So far, I have worked on my web profile and submitted my brochure information. Today I have proof read and given corrections for my entry and how to better show my location on the PAW venue map.
We have had our first meeting of the year and I have booked to attend a workshop in March on social media use. Something I do, but I am aware that I do not always use it to its best as a business.
Then in April I will attend the / one of the silk flag making workshops. I still have the flag I made for PAW 2017 which shows my studio from the entrance to my drive. It wasn’t until windy conditions in the second week that it flew off the pole a couple of times. I held a competition to design my flag for 2018. I chose the winner and emailed their mother to arrange choosing a print as the prize. Unfortunately I have never had a response but I shall be honouring my promise and see if they appear during PAW this year.
Work wise, I have a larger range of art than I had last year and have added to my portfolio since the Artisans on the Beach event that ended in January. The nature of my topics mean that many of my pieces can be applied to the theme of “movement” that is our focus this year. A delivery of work to my printer will extend my range of cards, prints and originals.
In March onwards I will return to my chosen focus of Swanage Bay for my main art theme for 2018. This offers so many interpretations of movement. Meanwhile from April I will return to working next to the river Frome in Wareham. Art produced there will always include movement where the river and river craft and wildlife are concerned.
Others have mentioned preparation for PAW, I am relaxed about this and know that I will need to make some clear signage to direct people off the B3069 between Corfe Castle and Langton / Worth Matravers which are both hosting a number of studios this year. On the final Sunday I am liaising with Richard Brown so that coffee concert recital guests for Encombe House do not attempt to drive down the track past my home this year, but hopefully that more of them might visit my studio afterwards.
This year I am posting in the brochure that visits for disabled visits may be organised by phoning prior to visiting. I hope this will bring in more people as well as the walkers and dog walkers who made up the majority of my visitors in 2017.
