New Years Resolution

Hellooooo!

Ok, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you might know that at the beginning of this year I set myself the goal of doing something arty every day and I failed on the second day (come on - we knew that would happen!). I still kept "trying" when I could be bothered but found myself forcing it and it became something of a chore rather than what I used to love doing.

The past week has been a really good one and I have managed to balance making with my day job successfully. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, everyone who knows me knows that, still it is great to have something that helps you get away from all those worries and hopefully that people enjoy too.

So I am just going to keep trying and not make any promises art-wise because I never keep them...

Paha!

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!

Who's Coming For Tea?: March

Last month was my first exhibition of 2016! AND it was with the wonderful The Freudian Sheep!

I made this piece at University a few years ago; it is called 'Study of Untitled'. I named it this because it was created from a photograph I had of a childs skull from a museum with no name. Simple as that really.

The painting was positioned on the bricks of a chimney breast and I have to say, they did good with the curating. Not just of my piece but the whole show! If you find yourself in Ipswich go visit the gallery, with something for everyone, you won't be disappointed. Check the opening though as they're not open everyday.

When the show was on I went to take a look around as I couldn't make it to the opening and I had a nice little catch up with the owners, Eleanor and Ian. We got onto the subject of what I'm up to nowadays and I told them about work. But it's ok, they've both had multiple jobs before they got to where they are now so I still have plenty of time to make it haha!

Also, some good advice they gave me is to buy a rabbit hutch or two and rent from a farmer (this definitely won't make sense to anyone, which is fine, because I know!).

Epiphany

Yesterday, I had an epiphany - that's right, an epiphany! (Not in a religious sense).

I was driving on my way to Banham Zoo to volunteer in their Charity Shop like I do every Monday, however, this time my usual way was blocked with a road closure and I had to follow the diverson signs. My new route was so open, surrounded by fields and a mass of sky. I don't know what happened; something just clicked inside my head.

Work has been a nightmare recently, well half has and it's becoming more of a chore than it used to be and I seem to be tired all the time since taking on my second job. Very few of you will know that I clean at a pub in the mornings and then clean at a doctors sugery in the evenings. That's the day job. I realised that I need to change my mindset and get on with the things that I enjoy!

I hardly read books anymore. I don't visit museums or gallries. I haven't picked up my sketchbook and pen in a couple of weeks. I don't paint. I don't see people. Maybe that's why I have very, very few friends. I rarely leave the house for anything other than work everyday and that's not good. Instead I spend my time being a TV zombie and taking pictures of my boys (who are cats). Don't get me wrong, my boys are my world!

What I need to do is get creative every few days at least! Have a regular go at blogging like I used to. Plus, work on my online courses that I purchased last year. Maybe go out for fun once in a while and have a serious think about a different day job. I don't know why it's taken so long for me to see sense.

I know I'm going to really struggle getting on with all this; I'm the type of person who's all talk and little action. Any suggestions on ways to help change my mindset would be wonderful!

Wish me luck!

(I wrote this blog post the other day and forgot to post it, looks like I'm already off to a great start...).

Commissions.

Sketchbook drawing for my Sunflower painting.

Hmm... That word 'commission'.

There's something about it that makes me feel uneasy. I have been thinking about this for a while. I don't really understand what the procedure is for doing one. No one has asked me to do a commission; although, I have never offered my services for doing them and it's not something we're walked through at university...

Do I do exactly what the client wants, even if it's not what I paint or draw?

Or do I get their ideas and do my own interpretation from them, whilst hoping for the best?

OR do I not even attempt commissions and  just keep creating what I want to, then hope that people will like it and someone will want to buy it?

I mean, I'm happy to be given an object, spend some time drawing from it and take a few photos; talk through my plans with them and then bring all the elements together to create a painting. But, what if I'm asked for a landscape or a portrait?! Do I simply decline?

Sigh.

Anyone have advice for me? The idea of even attempting it scares me! I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like this.

(At least, I hope I'm not the only one...).

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...

Plexus at Free Range Shows

Photo by Sarah Anderson

Plexus, University of Hertfordshire, F Block G5

Free Range Shows, The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

2nd - 6th July 2015

It was a great show! I hope everyone who saw it enjoyed it!

I didn't manage to get photos of our space at the graduate exhibition, however, Sarah Anderson, a fellow artist, has put some installation views on her website, which you can check out here. Plus, to find out more about the work and what the artists were trying to show the viewer take a look at our section on the Free Range Shows website.

Below are photos which, another fellow graduate, Charlotte Walters took of most of the work and shared with everyone - so all the images listed below were taken by Charlotte...

(Leave a comment and let us know what you think).

Business Cards

Front side

Back side

In preparation for the show, I thought it woud be a good idea to create business cards for people to take away with them.

I wanted it to be simple, without labelling myself. No 'contemporary artist' or whatever. Just my website and one of my more successful paintings, it won't exactly lead them to believe I'm a florist (my mum thinks I should have at least put artist)... The image I chose also helped to link the painting that was down the corridor from my space back to me. The colour orange is there to link it back to my Degree Show, in the hope that they would remember my floor.

Thankfully they arrived in time (I paid enough for them to do so...) and I recieved a free, handy little card holder, so I'll be able to keep a few in my bag when I go out. The only challenge now will be getting the courage to speak to people and hand them out. The next issue was finding a way of having them on display without making people bend down to pick one off the floor or have a table in the way. The answer was to search for 'business card wall holder' on Amazon and find one suitable. Then all I had to do was attach it to the wall with velcro and a bonus is that it can stand on its own so I can put it on a table if I wish.

(Images from designing my own card on Vistaprint).

Headlines Degree Show

Me at the Private View of the show.

Boo! A blog post from me has been well over due once again. These past couple of months have been very busy; it all seems like a blur now... Our Degree Show went well, but I'm glad that is over and I have returned home in Suffolk for a few weeks. Back to family, friends (well a friend) and cats!

Check out the paintings I put on display here.

Below is a video of the Fine Art exhibition, wonderfully created by Leyla Mojtahedi. Check it out!

Too much to do.

Where do I even begin?

I had my Degree Show proposal today and I had to build this model of the space I would like to use (which in itself was more difficult than I had anticipated). Thankfully, they mainly focused on the fact I want to have an orange floor, rather than what I needed to get done painting-wise. Everyone has such good ideas, I think the final outcome will be awesome all together!

There is so much going round in my head all the time of what I need to do in a matter of weeks. I'm trying not to stress or panic. Instead, I'm getting to the point where I hope if I ignore it it will go away, but of course, no. I can not believe it will all be over soon and I will be out in the real world as they say.

In no particular order, I need to:

• Do at least 4 more paintings
• Figure out the floor
• Make loads more drawings in my sketchbook
• Artist/Exhibition research
• Create a website (with a proper email)
• Getting good images would probably help that
• Finish a better version of my artist statement
• Print business cards/postcards
• Get on LinkedIn
• Sort out all my social networks
• Blog a whole lot more

I expect there is a heap more that I have forgotten, but that will have to do for now... Sigh.