I have now have a registered business working on and promoting my art work for at least 16 hours a week. It has not been easy to get to this point as I have been in a constant catch 22 since the summer, but now I am here I have to decide how best to carry on my work. When I went to the bridge of Allen art festival it became clear that though my work created a lot of interest it was not the type of work that all wanted in there home and by observing the other stalls, I became aware that it was merchandise that was selling rather than actual art works that were selling. By merchandise I mean smaller copies or mugs, bags, coasters, fridge magnets and so on.
The work on the other stalls are were what could only really be described as 'safe' art work. Paintings of cottages, highland cows, a lady with red umbrella and cupcakes with lots of pastel colours were common place and that is not to say the other works weren't good or pretty but rather a bit generic. At the same time I understand that not every one wants to put an image in there house associated with HIV, nightmares or child poverty in there houses and its not because they don't care but rather they don't wish to get home from a hard days work and be confronted by these issues. I do not want to avoid these issues but must look at how I am to make a living from my work.
I am going to try and put some images of my work on to images to see if they have more success but at the same time I will look to creating a series of screen prints on Robert Louis Stevenson. I have also had a good response to my wood block prints so will look to creating some merchandise from them too.
I am looking to take part in more art festivals and fairs with the Edinburgh fringe in mind also.
