working hard

As plan B is to have the theme "Superheroes" on my exhibition I'm exploring my Valkyrie and my Robin (from Batman) further. I've really been working night and day these days so I've just had time to post some photos of what I'm doing with not very much text to go with it. Hopefully next week will be less busy!

prints drying

masks

As the screen frames won't be ready for photo transfer until tomorrow I had fun playing around with some masks.

keeping my calm

... or at least trying to.

My exhibition at Galleri Kaustik here in Gothenburg starts the 21 of March. I always prepare well ahead of time - even planning how to hang it. The only thing left to do (except the framing) was to print three screenprints this week. And I had prepared the originals already in London.

But, but, but ... yes - there is a but. The removal company said the delivery would be within 7-21 days. Tomorrow is 21 days. We called them yesterday. It's not due this week. Earliest next week (they said to keep us calm - lying bastards). So all my paintings are still in London. Haha.

I was very angry yesterday and started to prepare a totally different exhibit. I'll have to screenprint something else than planned this week and decide how to solve the exhibit.

white weekend

In London I spotted foxes every day. Here in Gothenburg, Sweden, I see hares often. I think the two animals - fox and hare - in some way can be seen as symbols for the two different places. The fox is a predator and the hare is not. One is child friendly the other not. There are good things - and bad - with both. (I'll be back on this subject later.)

death

Instead of watching TV at night I'm having fun making some more material for my Manga workshops. (never been much for TV) Her scythe needs some more work though and her coat should be darker.

preparing and promoting

Much of my work as self employed (artist) consists actually of preparing and promoting. These days I've reserved just for that purpose. Last week I got the brochure I've made to promote my public commissions. Now I'm writing some nice letters to accompany them and looking for places to send them to. I'm targeting mainly tenant owner associations, but I'm also considering smaller municipals on the west coast. I have to target smaller clients as there are artist run organizations going for the big fishes.

This is not my favorite things to do - but it has to be done. Next week I'll be screenprinting and I'm so looking forward to it!

little red riding hood

19:34

to listen: interviews exploring the creative process. By John Tusa at BBC Radio 3.

miracles still happen

• A gallery in Norway that has been owing me money since 2000 contacted me - and payed me my money. (I did not count on that to happen ever)
  
• Last week I started my new part-time job (25%) at an artist run gallery - Grafik i Väst (photo) - where I am a member. I'll be doing marketing and customer care.
• So ... now I'm just waiting for more good things to come. You know, like in the fairy tales: after hard ship you should be rewarded for enduring. Give it to me!
  

more manga

Workshops in manga are actually in high demand. All the kids want to learn how to draw manga nowadays. I've decided I should really try to market my workshops (one more thing for my "to do list") targeting mainly libraries. And now I have a little article to attach! check it here

very much not London

Half an hour drive from Gothenburg lies Bollebygd with 7 000 inhabitants. I went to this - for me new - place today to teach some kids Manga at the little library. A journalist from the local paper stayed the first hour and took notes and a lot of photos. It's to be in the paper tomorrow.

and she's back!

that is - I'm back! Thank you all who wished me good luck with the moving and travelling! Our belongings will be here in 2 weeks and we survived a flight with sick son.

Now I'm reviewing my Manga material for giving two workshops on Wednesday. And I'm trying to find things I've stored somewhere on my mother's attic. I have a goldfish's memory sometimes! (why didn't I label all the boxes?) Feels like I'm back on track anyway.

outside inside

Moving.
More to do than I thought - I'll be back on Monday next week.
Have a nice week!

Things to do in London 3

I'm continuing to share my little ever-day things to do in London. A bit of a farewell. I'm leaving on Friday.

Find money
People tend to dislike the little copper coins - 1 and 2 pence. If you just tune your eyes into looking for them you'll see them everywhere. Especially good places to look are outside grocery stores and tube/train stations. I've even seen people just putting them on a wall or tossing them over their shoulder.

Yes, you might say, but they are worth almost nothing. True, but it depends on have you value things. After 2-3 weeks of daily looking you might have earned yourself a cup of coffee - and the pleasure of seeing how they react when you pay in 1 pence coins. Or you can always say to people " a penny for your thoughts"- and buy many thoughts. Save up many and give to a small child - they will consider it a fortune.

Just a word of advice; do not go coin hunting in fountains (or don't let anyone see you). People do not like that. They get very hostile.
I speak of experience.

and cut!

messed up makeover

as I wasn't very pleased with the painting Messenger I had decided to give the girl a makeover. This is how it went.
before Christmas she looked like this. Transparent and alien. Insect like.

I wanted her warmer, more human - and less skinny. On Monday she had gotten a more classical look. (balancing on the border to kitsch is tricky. Sometimes you cross the line, but it is hard to see when you're in the middle of it) But the painting as a whole still didn't work.

Last night I just felt I needed a more radical change. Honestly I felt anything would be better than what I had.
... hm. I think this makeover needs more than make up. It's time to take out the knives.

Check the most amazing t-shirt aimee made when she was only 17 years old!

Dreaming

This is what I saw today in a shopping window in central London. The store sold wedding dresses. Are we still in the 50's?

I dream of making great art that will influence other artists long after I'm dead (You're not aloud to admit this if your Swedish. You should just say you're grateful that you get to work with what you love.)

I dream of being listed in Art Now.

I dream of living out of my art without having to compromise.

But getting married in a beautiful dress? Could be nice, but not what I would ask for if I was granted three wishes. Not what I am striving for. But of course it must have been what Walt dreamed about, right? Because in your dreams you can do anything.

and the winner is ...

Thank you all who answered my question "who are you"! It was interesting to get some clues. And you are really all over the world. I will now do my best to use my readers' review to improve the blog. (note to self - stop checking visitor statistics. So what if last week was all time low? Probably just a busy week for people.)

The lucky winner gets to chose from a black and a red version. Click picture to see it bigger. Which one do you want? (it said Esti on the paper!)

Angst

"my look is about an appreciation of teenage angst, without actually having the angst" she smiles