Quiet shop days
So I have had the shop open the last two days and business has been relatively slow but I have also been keeping busy.
So both days we have had a dry forecast, Tuesday we had drizzle in and off which meant the art for fun tables were set up then the work moved in and out a few times. Wednesday as sunnier and stayed dry but as there was a blue sky after lunch the temperature dropped faster – but I worked outside all day until the light went.
New initiatives at the shop:
Adding to my AndyKnillArt vinyl linked sign – I have added some extra notes which probably need to be larger, but as this sign doesn’t fall over in the breeze like the smaller road sign based ones do in some breezes this is how it now looks.
By the Art for Fun tables I am now using my new Community Board on a regular basis and have requested details of local art groups / classes etc as I often get asked about such things and want to help the visitors.
I now have two commissions to work on and on each day I have done line work for each which has been sent as a photo to the client ( obviously I cannot share these pieces). I am also working on a new Autumn Trees piece based on some photos I took in Upwey when visiting my printer last week.
Hub contribution:
Today I was interviewed by Linda Stevenson – the founder of Dogfriendly.social which I have introduced to Swanage and Purbeck. we fitted this into my lunch break and then I checked the recording in between bits of work and helping a neighbouring business with some shifting of furniture this pm.
Art community:
In addition to the community board above, I attended a meeting of the relaunched Visual Artists Forum for Purbeck Art Weeks last week and have volunteered to act as a Swanage hub for all news and information about PAW year round as we try to engage and communicate within the local art community across the year and not just for the two weeks of the festival. This is something I believe in strongly, hence my trying to link visitors and new residents to art classes, groups etc as my art for fun offering is not what some seek and is not the medium that some want to work in. I believe that community, sharing and networking are key aspects of how a group of people can work together – I believe that PAW needs this year round perspective to have relevance and also communication between artists can hopefully help them and people trying to access their work.
A bonus:
I heard that a regular art for fun participant is stuck at home with Mum as they are both self isolating for Covid. They were due to return this weekend to work on some hand drawn gifts so I messaged them, we arranged an invoice and art materials were delivered last night so that their gift ideas can start even if they can’t get to the shop. This knowledge of regulars and being able to help is a great joy for me.I look forward to the pictures of the artwork produced that I have been promised.
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