Possible Studio Space

Last week I excitedly went and visited a possible studio space in Ipswich which looked great! It's across the road from Suffolk New College near The Dove. There's plenty of storage with a kitchen and a toilet too.

I just need 2 or 3 other people to want to share the space with me...

So if any of you are looking for one and Ipswich is where you'd like it to be, then get in touch!

Headlines 2016

Last month, I attended the Headlines Private View to see this years Fine Art graduates work at the University of Hertfordshire and it was so strange being back there!

I found myself constantly comparing their Degree Show exhibition to ours; I just couldn't help it, of course they each had their own positives though. I enjoyed going round and seeing how everyone had progressed since I last saw their work over a year ago. Well done to them all!

Only downside was being boiling - I had definitely forgotten how hot the studios could get, especially with all the extra bodies around.

It was good to see friends who were in the same year as me and ones from the year below; sort of like a short, little reunion. I was amazed to find that a couple of the tutors even remembered me!

On my round viewing the spaces I picked up these three lovely business cards. They are from my friends; Jan Agha, Siobhan Ledden and Inna Allen (click on their names to be taken to their websites).

Unfortunately, that evening I only took a couple of photos on my phone. Above is a little sculpture by one one of my friends, who I picked up a business card from; he's a painter and sculptor. No idea what it's called, but I love it so much and want it! Below is one of his paintings which I equally adore and would like! They are both just so gorgeous!

Next month, 15 of them will be participating in the Free Range Shows at The Old Truman Brewery, just like students do every year. The UH exhibition is called Curation of Curiosities, which I think is a very fitting title. I am hoping to make it to the Private View; it will be interesting to see how they re-exhibit their work into a different space.

There's still plenty of time to donate and help them make it! Find out more on their gofundme page here. If you give enough you will receive a unique artwork made by one of the artists themselves.

You can also connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Monday's Are My Favourite

For the past week everything with me is feeling much better (apart from being ill thanks to my parents) and I am glad!

I have been reading most days and being able to escape into someone else's world for an hour or two has been so relaxing. Just what I need! It definitely helps me to get through the day. I still need to work on drawing more although I'm getting there; I've gained a few more likes on my Facebook page recently too and that's helped boost my spirits!

At the weekend I dropped off a painting at The Freudian Sheep to be put in their next exhibition. I am excited to be showing with them again; they really are doing great things and I am so happy for them! Hopefully if I'm feeling better I'll be able to make their opening event which is happening this Saturday (12th March at 3pm)!

See the invite below and if you haven't already, please take a look at this article - they had an interview with entertainment writer, Wayne Savage, from the East Anglian Daily Times during their last exhibition called MAD?. It's a really great read; especially if you're interested in art and/or mental health.

Something that occurred to me though when getting my work ready for The Sheep is that when pricing work, artists usually have to take into account any commission that would taken from the sale of the piece(s) and I don't think some  people think about that... They see the price and instantly assume it's too expensive for what the art work is. Artists also have to keep in mind the time it took to create the work, whether its minutes, hours or even days, as well as the cost of materials and I'm sure I'm not the only the one who sometimes lets my emotional attachment to the art affect the amount too.

Yesterday, I decided that Monday's are my favourite day is the week. You might find this strange as most people hate them, but it's the only day I get a lay-in with a chilled out morning and it's the day I volunteer at Banham Zoo Charity Shop, which I still love and means I get to interact with people and read some more. It'll be even better when it's warmer and stops rainging so much. The day is only ruined when I have to go to work that evening!

So, yeah, I've has my ramble but it had to be done! Thank you if you made this far!

J x

Fellow Artists

I know we've all finished university and have parted ways, but I think it's good to do a bit of fellow promotion, even just a little bit. I'm not saying anyone else has to do it too; it's just something I want to do.

Recognise any of their names from an exhibition you've seen? Or even take a look through them all anyway! Get in contact with them and let them know what you think of their work - help them out with constructive advice and give a them a boost in confidence!

Sarah Anderson

Alex Baranovskij

Isobella Davies

Trishla Dhanani

Christos Dimitriou

Ragnihild Eliassen

Pani Evangelou

Toni Fielding

Limara Hayes

Julia Holt

Rebecca Kalintas

Julie Leaming

Clive Matthews

Chloe Mays

Sam Mitchell

Leyla Mojtahedi

Jessica Nelson-Turner

Timmy Oyebanji

Rachel Prior

Josie Scibetta

Charlotte Thompson

Manasa Vempali

Tzvetelina Vesselitchka

Andriana Voskou

Lucy-May Walsh

Charlotte Walters

Chloe Zacharias

The artists names that are not linked I don't have a page for them. Found their page? Let me know!

Aesthetica Artists' Directory

July was a really good month for me! I recieved an email to have the chance to be featured in Aesthetica Magazine's Artists' Directory and I happily took the opportunity - mum even thought it was a good idea and mum's do know best!

I decided to purchase the print and online option; which meant I would be in the August/September issue and online for those months too. I thought it worked out better value money-wise as well as the estimated number of readers it would reach, plus I recieved a free copy of the magazine for myself featuring me in it.

Even though I kept forgetting I was in there and wondered why my website was getting views; it was money well spent as I have been sent emails from people who have seen me there! The people at Aesthetica contacted me again and offered for me to be in the next issue, but due to lack of money I had to sadly decline. Hopefully, if I can get back to my painting and start making a success of it, I reckon I will see if I can be in the magazine again.

So, find me on page 156 in your copy of the issue or find me online here!

John Apthorp Award

Once studio work, tutorials, degree show, etc. had finished, I was lucky enough to be selected along with 3 others from University of Hertfordshire to be in competition with students from West Herts College for the John Apthorp Award in Radlett's 49th Summer Exhibition at The Radlett Centre.

Artists from left to right: Clive Anthony, Jade Probitts (me!), Julia Holt and Josie Scibetta.

Not a great photo... But this was our universities space up on the stage. I didn't think to take my camera in with me when we went to set up, so my mum used the camera on her mobile instead.


When I went to pick up after the exhibition finished a week later, walking towards the stage, I couldn't believe what I saw! I had won First Prize for the John Apthorp Award, judged by Norman Ackroyd; a famous artist chose my painting! My parents were so pleased; I still can't believe it!

We all gratefully recieved a cheque and as I came first with my Sunflower painting, it was left with them so it can be hung in the Centre for a year (well until the next one is awarded). It was a great beginning to July! I hope I remember to pick it up next year...

My Space at Free Range Shows

Me and my other half on the first evening it was open.

I started this blog post a few days after the show was finished, taken and stored away. I didn't get very far with it as I am about 2 months behind on you all being up to date... I really haven't changed since moving back home...

Definitely an experience to remember and a lot of hard work was put into the exhibition. It was very tiring setting up and traveling with obvious stress, but fully worth it (even though I fainted on the opening night - meh). I was glad that my parents and other half managed to travel down and see my work in such an environment. The show marked the official end of our three years at University of Hertfordshire and celebrated it. The Old Truman Brewery was a great space to work in and the other universities did a wonderful job in their areas too.

I have gratefully recieved many emails in response to my work from people who have seen it at shows or online and enjoyed it. That makes me happy!