EXHIBITION SET UP

Managed to get everything done in time, phew!! A mad, crazy rush and my studio feels so empty now with all the boxes gone.

Thanks to Gary and Pam for the help in transporting and assembling the show! 

'Twas the Night before the Exhibition

The gallery/exhibition/fine art context

and why I struggle with it

PRICING IS SO HARD because I am so very cheap and I don't want to charge outlandish amounts, mainly because I don't think it's worth it and I'm not that interested in the money.

I keep being asked what I'm most driven by for this show and it's not making money or selling art or even really getting more commissions/work. I just want to have a show and for my art to be there and for people to see it and feel the magic.

My audience is children

which is great because at Newby Hall there's an adventure playground and all sorts of whimsical, explorative child friendly events

so my art fits in well for children to stop and look and play and wonder

BUT

it's the parents and grandparents etc who have the money - gatekeepers - and I don't want to make work for them. It's for the kids and I don't know whether framed prints is really what a child wants or whether that's just because it's the CONVENTIONS of a gallery and an exhibition. It's what's expected.

This place is a really renowned and classy estate... world class gardens, beautiful architecture, big events. It's a national treasure and it really is an honour to exhibit here but I think the work I've made has been made FOR this event and FOR this place. It's been made to fit into the scene and to pander to the audience of quite well off families who may visit. 

I prefer the idea of children/audiences coming to EXPERIENCE and PLAY WITH the art rather than to look at it in a glass cabinet and buy it

WHICH MEANS

that a point that was made to me in PPP feedback about choosing between commercial doll making and theatrical performance might have been realised...

I'd rather charge people for coming into a space, to experience the art and have a good time than to make things for them to buy. 

Framing

Image needs printing larger since it is slightly shorter than the mount!

FIFTH ILLUSTRATION FOR NEWBY HALL

Toadstool

 I don't like this one as much, it's just a bit boring and the toadstools just look like they are floating...

FOURTH ILLUSTRATION FOR NEWBY HALL

Ugly Bug Ball

Also my frames arrived! Spent £109 on frames for the exhibition but they've arrived and look really professional.

POSTER

A quick poster. Probably flouting all kinds of graphic design rules here but it does the job. Tells people when and where to find my pixies.

Distributed to a couple of places in Ripon (keeping it local as the appeal is that I'm a young, local talent apparently) and sharing online.

Third Illustration for Newby Hall Exhibition

Not sure whether this one is too busy

ideas: brownies / house elves - laundry? pots and pans? teacups (overdone)

river fairies

mushrooms / toadstools

fairy circle

mini train / railway

Second Illustration for Newby Hall Exhibition

Second image done! Next - allotment, seasons (autumn leaves, spring showers, bees), 

What else do I need to think about?

Descriptions, titles and PRICES (they take 30% commission) 

HOW THE ILLUSTRATIONS WILL LOOK ON THE WALLS and how many I will need to fill the space.

Business cards and website

Headshot / artist photo of me? Advert for the exhibition

Finalise details of WHEN, HOW LONG FOR.

Illustrations for Newby Hall Exhibition

Target audience: children, family

live in Yorkshire, rural

Close to teddy bear exhibition and dolls house exhibition

adventure playground

intentions: playful, fun, charming, magical, bright

This image took a long time to make but I am so proud of it. It's better than anything I made for 505 and I'm disappointed that I didn't manage to make anything for that this year that I could be as happy with as this... simply having a few days at home with no deadlines and I can make a picture I like. It's that simple. 505 was rushed and I didn't finish anything to the same standard as this because we had so many deadlines going on at the same time.

Print A3/A2? Mount and frame or print onto canvas?

Make at least four more like this! Could use for the branding/promotion of my exhibition