2022 review-ish

So I have just gone through my years photos and selected some aspects of the year as a record of some of the arty things I have done. Comments / feedback welcomed.

If you are in the changing rooms a lot between chorus numbers what can you do? I sketched and they proved so popular that I gifted 6 A6 drawings over the 6 performances.

A paper based drawing, later in the year I also drew a wooden piece too, both sold quickly – I,love drawings including our pier and the sea.

The lights on the pier initiative gave rise to great reflections, it was like drawing a coloured barcode and at the latter end of the year prints sold well and a new idea – two sided 16 x 4 card equivalent.

Drystone walls started the year on this wooden box, later pieces included line drawings of 7 different Purbeck walls and then …

The novelty paper bags actually proved popular and all 25 went with purchases and led to a new idea for AndyKnillArt Studio paper bags.

I tried Lino printing with Art Workshop about 4 years ago – this year after buying some supplies from Pooki presses I decided to try the technique again. Drystone walls featured soon and I found that I liked the carving stage – the aspect I need to return to in 2023 working on the printing out technique.

A holiday in N Devon saw me sketching in cafes again and I left drawings in two cafes in Woolacombe which were apparently framed and exhibited. A good week with foul weather where a lot of walking Woolacombe beach took place.

Our third visit in about 10 years and interesting to see how some pieces had weathered in that time – near Barnstable.

This year I bought two of these helmets on separate occasions. The first became the flowery Art for Fun helmet and has been worn by me and several younger studio visitors. Also an exhibit at Rollington Barn for PAW 2022. The second one is currently in development and unsurprisingly is even more detailed.

Popular throughout 2022 and by the end of the year 2021/2022 had included 1045 individual drawing sessions and an age range of 15 to 1207 months.

2022/23 has now had 5 from 5months of higher take up so far.

Yes, a new cafe in Swanage and has become a recommendation for art materials. Yes we visited early one, I did a sketch, gave it to he owners, it is still framed just in the window – really didn’t expect that, just enjoying myself.

Two hats drawn and up for sale – Boatlife and Sea life, admired but unsold so far. A commission hat for a silver wedding anniversary was good fun to do.the bottom helmet is my Artfor Fun helmet that was seen at PAW.

Yes I exhibited a boiler suit, pith helmet, handdrawn box and conventional 2D art and got lots of reaction both when stewarding in a different helmet and boiler suit and at the studio.

As the studio gains more visitors I have gained a number of repeat visitors. Bentley comes with his dads Charlie and Rob. Later in the year he was joined by Baary sheep too.

L. Is a repeat visitor who has the confidence to wander about in my hats and took such joy in it that based on this t shirt I gifted him,his own hat.

This piece has been nicknamed as the 6 hours pebble piece, as that is how long the line work of the pebbles took in total, but in 20 minute sections at a time.

These three were all based on photos I took while kayaking out in the bay.

In August Art for Fun was very busy with days of of 30 taking part. On the last day of Carnival week I posted a sign about a record attempt to try and get 30 people in a day – we achieved 64 – too many in one day tbh but what a positive experience. August saw 378 people draw n the month and I was still only open four days a week.

So, now I m hand drawing on every small cards and gifts bags and the larger prints bags – they are proving very popular and several people have suggested framing them – it’s just another chance for me to draw for my own enjoyment,

Bentley (the sheep)’s dad Charlie commissioned three A6 dog portraits approaching Christmas – I wasn’t sure but the results went down well with the recipients.

Finally, not in December but the first week of 2023 pre break, my largest ever drawing in Posca markers in the shop window.

So, 2022, I thought it went quite well myself.

2023, more of the same and new ideas. Art for fun is here to stay and I expect it to build as news of it spreads and people return for more drawing. From August to December I hosted five local artists new to exhibiting for Guest Artist of the Month – 4 sold something. Hand drawn paper bags are here to stay. There will be more Lino pieces gradually.

AndyKnillArt studio is a success and I am enjoying myself.

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