Upcoming trip to London / exhibition

I returned to work after Easter and this is the first creation I have made after a break for a funeral and a wedding.

I'm really intrigued and excited to be planning a trip down to London to attend the private view for Magne Furuholmen's "Norwegian Wood" exhibition at Paul Stolper gallery.

I'm really excited at the prospect of being elbowed in the face by A-ha fans (!), in an attempt to speak to Magne about his work - I noticed in the press release some interesting and obvious correlations between his work and mine that I wasn't previously aware of.

Aside from the fact that A-ha remains one of the pivotal reasons for becoming an artist and illustrator, in 1995, while Magne was creating "Kutt", I gave birth to my first son Kurt, named after Cobain, but since then I have been known to reference Schwitters within my own work.

In 1992-94 I had spent 2 years at college doing reductive colour lino prints, and I had hoped to make a return to the print room more recently, in order to create some form of prints in support of my graphic novel, even though the graphic novel is largely illustrated in ink and digitally edited. It remains a strong background reference and influence for my own practice.

I wish I'd seen these when I was at college, but I was largely unaware of A-ha's continued existence at that time, and I spent several years before my degree where I barely created much work at all.

Magne's woodcuts already look visually and emotionally arresting just seeing them online, so looking forward to seeing this work.

I know my brother is planning to come and visit for this year's last ever Spalding Flower Parade. 

I often have mixed feelings about the Flower Parade. As a child growing up in Spalding it was the most exciting event of the whole year. I even had the opportunity, aged 11, to ride on the Flower Queen's float, however, speaking of college in the early 90s, people suggested I should apply for the Flower Queen contest, but I declined, thinking it was sexist and outdated. 

For some time I regarded it as a funeral procession for a long dead bulb industry, yet I felt I wanted to create something to reflect that. I had a concept for a float as a self portrait of Van Gogh with bandaged ear in protest at art cuts. But opportunities to become involved in the Flower Parade have too often been put off due to commitments here in Lincoln and a lack of support. The Flower Parade is Van Gogh's Sunflowers, black crows gather.

My old primary school appeared to have gone for a blackbird theme last year, even though I was not invited to contribute, I will claim credit for the inspiration!

I sometimes think that in honour of the Flower Parade, I might decorate my bike with origami tulips and ride around town on it like some kind of rogue float. I don't know if I'll make it, if I do, I plan to take reference photos.

Lastly, you can all support self employed single parents by signing this petition - I urge you all to sign this, thanks!

Stian Andersen A-ha The Photographs exhibition

I was recently invited to take my portfolio to show the gallerist at The Strand gallery in London, as I thought it might be nice to go and see Stian Andersen's photography exhibition.
The outcome is some exciting work coming up soon, but as I'm totally shattered, here are a few photos. 
Stian's exhibition is currently showing until 17th March.

I couldn't stay over in London mid week, so I planned to arrive slightly early on, and get the last train back to Lincoln after the private view. I knew that during the private view itself, I would not have an opportunity to discuss work properly, and I wouldn't have time to hang around afterwards.

I arrived around 4.40p.m. whilst waiting outside, I saw Stian's photographer, taking shots of the gallery, and Erin Hill's husband Mike, but I knew neither of them at that moment, as I hadn't been introduced. Once invited inside, I met the gallery staff, and the lovely and talented Erin, was properly introduced to Mike, as well as two nice ladies from the Norwegian Embassy, who are sponsoring Stian's exhibition.
I told them about my previous exploits in Oslo, and later on, they were looking at Stian's prints to decide which ones to buy.

We were expecting Stian and Magne to arrive at 5.30p.m. but they were being rock and roll late, and while we were waiting, it was nice to have a proper look at the work before the gallery was full of (mostly A-ha fans) visitors.
I was discussing what I do with Erin, it seems we have a lot of common interests, including Fleetwood Mac, and Erin was kind enough to play Gypsy on her harp for me, which was very lovely.
One of the nicest comments she said was that I remind her of Lauren Savoy, a compliment indeed :-) Somewhere there's a photo of us together, but it hasn't yet materialised.

The gallery opened to the waiting crowd outside, as Stian and Magne arrived and were due to go for an interview. I realised I'd left my camera in the office, so I went to get it, but as I'd been so busy chatting all afternoon, by now I was gasping for a beer, and followed them out to go and get one. 
Magne asked me what the setlist was, and by then I'd forgotten in my beer-hunt. I don't know many of Erin's songs. She performed with A-ha at the Royal Albert Hall in 2008, which I missed because it clashed with my degree show!

I stood close behind Stian and Magne as we watched her performance of And You Tell Me. The gallery is quite small, and there were a lot of people, the view of Erin very limited at one end, and because I'm small, it's a habit I've had since I was little, that Mum would always encourage me to go to the front so that I could see, and I was wearing flat boots for travelling/not getting stuck in the Tube, but hadn't thought to bring some heels for height.
I was getting a bit squashed in, trying hard not to spill beer down Stian's trouser leg - it really wouldn't be a good look for him! But wasn't quite of the Razorlight-at-V-festival2006-potential-crush-panic-level, and I was taken aside whilst we contemplated how Erin was going to get out of the corner! 
Along with Erin's performance, A-ha tracks were played in the background of the gallery. 

I was obviously quite keen to be properly introduced to Stian and speak to him properly as had been recommended for work purposes, however, he quite often was grabbed by overly eager fans asking for things to be signed, or buying copies of his book, so eager they were, some seem to forget their manners that someone was already there. 
The gallery was so busy that Magne bailed out early. I don't really blame him. He was meant to be there for an hour, they were both late for their interview, and Magne missed out on his speech.
In one attempt to speak to him, I seemed to get caught up in some photo taking, despite the fact that earlier, The Lady Of Shalott had taken one look at Stian's incredible photos and decided to go on strike! 
I managed to get a few nice photos, although I lament not getting one with Stian's photographer, Erik, who was very tall, and would've made a funny shot. Maybe next time..... ;-)
Yes, plans are afoot.

Paul Stolper was there as well, and I lamented that I had hoped to drop into his gallery, but hadn't had the time. He has some interesting projects going on, and I will consider going for Magne's next private view there in May.
And I met Stian's Dad and step-Mum, and managed to say "hyggelig å møte deg", which for the uninitiated is "nice to meet you" in Norwegian, without sounding Welsh, and was understood!

It wasn't until I was about to leave that I later found an opportunity to be properly introduced to Stian, and we agreed to catch up via email about work. I gave him my card and grabbed a spare copy of the comic from my portfolio. I'd brought a copy for him, should he want one, but now didn't really have time to ask, so there it was. Stuff you do in haste. Which reminds me, a copy I sent for Towser Zine Library last year is due to go to Leeds International Book Fair this month.

It's odd how I've been trying to develop my practice in other ways, but whenever I do something involving A-ha, I get more and better opportunities than all the wasted applications to more local galleries, all the proposals that I've sent that never get off the ground, funding applications that have been rejected, for once, things always go right, so I'm not going to turn such opportunities down. 
I feel I finally seem to be getting somewhere, so I've been over-excited and over-tired and a bit scatterbrained for a few days. 

Otherwise, I spent the previous week finishing and submitting a couple of proposals. One for a commission for a piece of street art at the bottom of The Strait, here in Lincoln, which I based on a Horrible Histories legend that is located in that particular part of the city. I am now waiting for the deadline to pass and see if it's successful, and not some poorly-conceived idea with a fleur de lis on it, or the Lincolnshire flag, which I saw passed around at the conference I went to previously.

Meanwhile, I've also been distracted by this

Jim'll Paint It was tweeted by Bob Mortimer, so I suspect it's Vic Reeves, and has had me in tears of laughter whenever it's updated.

meter readings...

Following the success of the previous Orange mobile phone illustration - it led to a paid commission for Mobile News, and through persistence, Orange have stopped trying to harass me for money I do not owe, as they know that if they do, I will win any court case, and would have to pay me more. 

This illustration was created as a commission for British Gas, who asked me to do a meter reading. I've invoiced them. Something tells me they won't pay.  

New Year review 2012

2012 seemed to be a year wasted applying for a myriad of art projects that obviously were not worthy enough of my considerable time and talent. Everyone seems to be holding back, especially when it comes to actually funding artists to create work, but 2013 already feels that this is the year when people are starting to let go of whatever it is that seems to be making them unable to do things. 

I can just tell that this year is going to be so much better than last year. You'd think that it couldn't be much better than the Olympics, but the Olympics was only best for a few people, not everyone. The Olympics was Smaug. This year will be much better for everyone. This year will be the year that all the dwarves gather at Bilbo's house and plan to take back what's rightfully theirs. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

I hope that a possible paid position running the LAN will become a salaried role some time sooner rather than later, as quite frankly it's shameful that I'm not earning enough for the work I do. 

I hope that no more of my time will be wasted applying for funding that isn't successful / other people's projects that are funded, but have no intention of accepting my proposals / no more money wasted investing in anything that doesn't pay me back at least twofold for my efforts - time to cut my losses.

Looking forward to more support and better support, such as my recent all-expenses paid trip to Oslo - definitely the best thing that happened in 2012, along with my comic auctioned in Brighton, with work by other high profile artists alongside, a published commissioned illustration exhibited in The National Library of Norway. And the recent Empty Shops projects that have provided not only myself, but other artists space to experiment and exhibit, is another successful achievement for last year.

Kendell Geers work from Nobel Peace Centre curated by Helen Dearnley

My work sold at the Alternative Christmas Market

The Nordic installation @ Alternative Christmas Market

Nordic installation @ Alternative Christmas Market, Lincoln

Apparatjik curated by Helen Dearnley, part of the Nordic installation.

But quite frankly, it still isn't good enough. I am NOT going to work for nothing, I'm STILL not earning the equivalent of my artists' day rate, so PAY ME!! 

Blackbird hearts

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

Gaston Bachelard - The Poetics Of Space

The Birds

I've been addicted to The Birds since I saw Lowell + Apparatjik perform live in Oslo, and I imagined an animated video inspired by Andrzej Klimowski's The Depository, white on blackboard background; a bit.... Mew. And I really want to animate that, but the kids are off for half term and have spent most of the time moaning, making more mess than they tidy, and then disappearing.

I've been overworking myself, and not being paid enough to show for it - as usual.
The Mail Art Exhibition seemed to attract a lot of interest, especially from passers by - postcards with messages on were attached to the window so that, in theory, people could see both sides.
After a disappointing start, stupid "handling fees" added by the Post Office, who seemingly can't even be bothered to deliver Mail Art, and an even more disappointing disruption caused by my eldest son being temporarily suspended from school, (for an issue that has been described as "trying to crack a walnut with a sledgehammer") otherwise I was pleased with how it went.

There was a steady trickle of visitors, some very positive feedback, and a few submissions from Lincoln artists to add to the ongoing work.

But my ability to not switch off went into overdrive when I reinstated Magne Furuholmen's Alpha Beta postcards back on the lounge wall, and it made me come up with this Nordic pixel heart Christmas card design, made out of old Christmas cards - I wish I could stop working on things, but I keep getting inspired to do things, as if I don't already have enough things to do, and not enough time or funding to do everything I really want to. 

Recently, I applied for International Artists' Travel bursary, because I hope to go back to Oslo again as soon as is humanly possible.
I just missed the October deadline, so that means I now have to wait until February to find out if that's successful.

It's annoying that I know Magne has an utstillling "Bouquet" in Asker that I won't be able to make, and there seem to be a lot of exciting things happening in Oslo that I can't be there for.

I wish I could always have expenses covered for travel etc, things would be so much easier, and it'd count as "wages". 

Lemons!

Nice to see my Jesus on Red Dwarf X episode "Lemons" this evening :-) I'm fairly sure that's him - with sandals, mind.