Tuesday 16 November 2010

She has suffered for her Art, now it's my turn...

Today, I screw the last of the mirror plates to the back of about 70 frames...


... mount the last of the loose water-colours to board, then cover the faces with acetate...


... then start compiling the wall-list and individual labels with numbers and prices (about 80 in all), along with a copy of her c.v. to be printed on card, bought yesterday ...


... then tomorrow I continue doing the same until it is finished ...


... then thursday, carry the lot downstairs, put it into the back of the Volvo and - in two trips - negotiate the one-way system and parking restrictions of Bath by taking it all to the gallery, along with all the tools, etc. and start the process of choosing position before beginning to hang them (or myself) ...

... until we have had enough for one day, so go home and cook, eat, then continue on friday until it is all up and listed - at the same time as taking delivery of 24 cases of wine from Bracknell, Berkshire, driving back to Waitrose and picking up 300 hired glasses, dropping them off at the gallery and re-parking the car, attaching the chic looking sign to the window, laying out the table and cloth with the wine and glasses, cleaning up ...

... opening up the gallery on saturday, then waiting for the magic hour of 6.00 p.m. when I will - with a fixed smile on my haggard features - meet and greet the Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, proffering a glass of red, white or orange juice, mingle and network, try to sell as many as possible and keep a record of what has been sold by sticking a little red dot over the price on the label (please God), then start to clear up before falling into the restaurant next door with a few chosen friends and downing a bit more wine...

Gosh - look at the time! I had better get on with it (as I have been doing for about 2 weeks now). Wish us luck - I have a good feeling about it, but it could all go a bit financially wrong in today's climate. I'll let you know.

21 comments:

  1. Good luck! I hope it all goes very well. I wish I were there to wield one of those 300 glasses on the night.

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  2. You could be Mise - hop on a plane and I'll pick you up at Bristol Airport. Leave the financial chaos (and Gerry Adams) of Ireland behind and come to our financial chaos for a break.

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  3. I'm lucky to have her too, Maiden In any case, if we paid someone else to do all this, it would cost a lot more than the £5000+ that it is already!

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  4. What percentage are you on? I'd go for 75; the painting's the easy bit! At least that's what they always tell ME.

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  5. All will go swimmingly Tom. To much love and good energy invested by you both for it not to. Trust!

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  6. Ha - a fine notion, Cro.

    Thanks, I hope so J.

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  7. Well, you do put yourself out there as the handy(man) sort :)
    Speaking as a friend of some local artists, the major exhibition is much the same as a book launch. So many years of training and slog to finally put your babies on show ... Good luck and Godspeed to the both of you for the years behind this day.
    Consider this an Antipodean Wish for dollars of cash and recognition for your work (Your Indoors). Goodonya! Sarah

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  8. Looks like you're doing a fabulous job! I'm so impressed with her work, and with your careful treatment and help. She so deserves to have a great, great show!!

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  9. Just two more days until countdown. It's looking good! Tom, wish you and Jackie all the success you both deserve. Moll

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  10. Wishing you both much success from all this hard labor. After it's over rest for a bit.

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  11. Good Luck. Hoping there will be lots of people attending with wads of cash (and willing to part with it). x

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  12. good luck for the show.....is there a web site we can see the exhibition on thomas?

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  13. Thanks all - again! Go to:

    www.jackieharding.com

    and I promise I will update it soon - honest.

    Also go to:

    www,chapelrowgallery.com

    And I hope SHE updates it in time...

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  14. . not , (my keyboard needs cleaning)

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  15. Tom
    i would pay good money for her piece
    "Ursula"
    very deco!

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  16. Ursula is her lovely daughter, who I have known since she was about 4 - she's now about 42! My, how time flies. There are some good paintings of Urs in the new show. She's so shapely and picturesque. 'Kira' is Ursula's daughter, what a beauty she is, and the love of my life too - or one of them. Kira is now 16. Marsden is Urs's son. My name is Tom... boo hoo.

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  17. Have a great opening, I'm sorry that I shan't be there, as I shall be at the seaside enduring extreme exercise! Hope the show is lasting for longer than a week so that I can hobble in to see it when I get back home.

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  18. Oh how exciting!
    All the best from me - here's to many a red dot x

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  19. Thanks Cher and Suzanne - let's hope we see you there. Be sure to intorduce yourself, for a complimentary glass of wine (or six).

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