So, the winter break was good with 10 days locally taking time out and coffee shop sketching. Then a week away in Lanzarote, for the first time, for some winter sun. I did some sketching while away and took many photos and think I really need to do some pieces based on my travels in the last 6 years as there have been lots of views especially that have inspired me.
Today was my second day back in the shop and was also the 8th birthday of starting AndyKnillArt. For me that is very significant as I never looked this far forward when starting this journey with my art.
This week has seen working on an advert for the business to feature in Purbeck Art Weeks brochure with the right sort of targeted audience still using pot of money from COVID support that I have held back to fund extra initiatives or rent if sales fail to cover it, not needed up until now.
Window sign writing about what is happening with my final “Flooding Swanage with Art” trail walk next Tuesday, a month’s artwork sale to coincide with the8th anniversary and including school half term for Spring. Starting to develop a new flyer to advertise Art for Fun more effectively but also my other key philosophy in “Art for all”.
Today I was commissioned to produce a gift tag original piece which I did to start the day, this has been the only sale in two days but I also hosted three 18year olds brought by their friend who has done Art for Fun previously.
A proof of the reality of the difficulty with sales at the moment is that in January, even with time out I only took £50 in sales. Luckily I had a tax rebate which helped to cover the rent. Going forwards sales totals this year will really decide if it is financially viable to continue when there is such a pressure on what people are spending on – I am being realistic here.
Also today a new item I have considered on occasions before but not done – to run Art for Fun and keep it nominally as a free activity I need good enough art sales, clearly this month shows the pressure that idea is under. So, a new donations box using one of the wooden chests – a slot carved in the top using a craft knife then hand drawn.
I hope that on 31/01/2026 I am celebrating the 9th birthday of AndyKnillArt as a business but I am starting to doubt that it will be possible – I hope that I am being pessimistic and I can celebrate.