I wrote the “April” post early this morning as woke up and was wide awake. Today, I was ready early for work,so went into,town and coffee at Java as open earlier. In,discussion with Ciaron I then delivered PAW brochures for Java and Chococo before setting the shop up to offer “Art for Fun” indoors.
A slow start with several groups and individuals glancing at the shop nd crea but not coming in, so I put some music on Spotify for personal listening and continued with my “winter sun” trousers piece.
First visitors who I introduced to A4F enjoyed themselves and also bought a piece as birthday present – none other than an original framed piece I drew back in 2018 – “The boats are ready” drawn from,some photos from members of Swanage Sea Rowers on their World Pilot Gig Championship trip to the Scilly Isles. I never made prints of this piece as I have found that gig pieces while getting admiring comments haven’t sold as well I always hoped . It was great to see it going to a new home in Switzerland for someone who grew up in Langton Matravers and used to row in Swanage too, apparently.
Some more A4F and some more mainly small sales were encouraging.
Then a visit from M. And her parents – a keen advocate of A4F on several previous visits. After finishing she was looking around the shop and her attention was drawn to “Boatlife” hat on one of the fancy dress hats from FiFis of Swanage. Discussions about savings, other trips booked meant she left without it but I would put it aside for a visit at the end of May. Off the family went for lunch in Burnt Toast. Very quickly afterwards a return visit while their order was being cooked – it was possible for the hat to become M.’s property. Later she wore it as she walked past on her way into town – fabulous to see and while not in shop for as long as the previous picture, I had drawn this hat back in 2022.
By lunchtime I had been able to move the tables outside as the sun came out. I was in shock, pleasantly so for the magnitude of today’s sales.
By the end of the day I had taken my 3rd best day is sales in 12 months and hosted 10 for Art for Fun leaving the total at 4045 sessions enjoyed.
Our late afternoon visitors – the Gladwins who again are regular visitors included a request for me to draw two characters for wicked for one of their daughters F. It came out far better than I or any of us expected nd es pleasure to draw.
A final purchase included a panoramic piec I drew to record Pip Hare our local yachtswoman from Poole sailing Medallia, her IMOCA in the Vendee Globe 2024/25 nd the jury rig she created when dismasted in the Southern Ocean to sail 800 miles independently to Melbourne s self rescue. An original pice of Pip sailing from Poole harbour en route to France for the race village in 2024 will be exhibited and available for sale as part of my pieces at Rollington Barn during Purbeck ArtWeeks 2025, unless someone wants to buy it beforehand?
As the title said, this morning self doubt was hovering but by the end of the shop day, tired from much people-ing I had a very successful day that reinforced how much many people like and value my art pieces.
