April arrives…
Blogging has to be scheduled I think if I am to keep readers on here (if I have any left) updated. I have been active on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with my personal accounts, shop accounts and now Heart of Swanage accounts.
Andy, the artist
The sailing season has arrived and the anticipated start has been delayed by lots of very windy weather Inc Storm Kathleen fringes. One safety duty done, one cancelled and first race opportunity cancelled.
A few longer walks in Swanage on the seafront included an am walk yesterday with Anne Inc pier and along to Down the Beach cafe where we bumped into friends for a chat. Not wanting to waste sunshine and a low spring tide my solo pm walk Inc Peveril Point and then a feet paddle from the banjo pier to north end of the bay with the occasional extra deep bit and wet shorts.
Tomorrow I turn 60 and have been advertising ‘Birthday Art for Fun’ back to this in shop slot. Aprilwill also include meals out with friends and siblings later in the month coming to mark my new decade.
From April 18 and into May I am back doing my sketching sessions with years 3 and 4 with Swanage Primary after being invited back. The first group are now in Years 9 & 10.
Also prep for PAW continues, Rollington entry done but some pieces still to draw.
AndyKnillArt Studio – the shop
The new month has seen art for fun start to be outside more but with the indoor spaces available as well. The school holidays has seen 62 participants in four shop days and the aforementioned Birthday special may Bering in a reasonable amount fingers crossed.
This came about after giving advanced apologies for Chamber meeting on the 9th and some one asking if they would get an invite to my party – I don’t do parties but I love Art for Fun and it’s a shop day so I am combining the two.
March had a good finish and was positive for sales and I finished the last tax year with my best year to date helped by those flood barrier pieces.
April has had a positive start while school holidays continue, two weeks down and third to start as different areas take different times off.
The shop is tidier inside thanks to Anne although the new furniture and layout has helped and now the heater is once more behind browsers to free up more movement space.
PAW 2024 – 4 pieces of 6 are completed with a box in progress and an item of clothing to purchase and draw, I will try not to be drawing on submission day like two years ago.
Nabz Art who I met at ArtBattle Bournemouth 2 is April’s guest artist.
I will keep drawing a variety of things and have taken some photos I am particularly inspired by recently in and around Swanage Bay.
The Heart of Swanage Campaign
We did it phase one – a map completed and out to Swanage Information Centre by Easter weekend. Our campaign members in the main have their window stickers, copies of the leaflets and Martin has printed some larger maps we are using as well. Visitors have responded well and maps are being given out – we are now considering print run 2 for May half term.
31/35 businesses involved although 2 still owe me their £10 and may be removed from second print map if needed.
Website is developing under Helens care, social media postings are going well and phase 2 – the people and personalities are the next target up until July pre summer school holidays.
That’s enough to be keeping me busy for the moment.
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