10th February

I knew that it was going to be a tough one so I braced my self. A week ago I put a piece of artwork into the Horsebridge Centre for the fund raising Art Auction event.  I chose a painting from the beginning of this year. Not entirely representational of the work that I am doing at present, but one that was finished.

I had popped into the centre during the day to see where it was hung and how I felt about it all. Well, lesson one learnt. I thought that it stuck out like a soar thumb! Determined not to be defeated by the sick feeling in my stomach I went to the auction; after all this was a student learning experience for me, and a step towards detaching myself from my work, a chance to grow an extra layer of skin!

After two hours into auction, in which I did some unsuccessful bidding, I got a fit of nerves. So I darted back home for a stiff whisky; phoned my year group pal Di, for support before heading back to the Horsebridge. I had psyched my self up to the fact that my painting would not sell, that the auctioneer with her lively humour would humiliate me, and that any credibility that I might have with Whitstable Art professionals, buffs and acquaintances would be forever lost!  However I was determined to take it on the chin... It didn’t sell. But it got noticed that is for sure, and as they say all publicity is good publicity. 

Lessons learnt:

                         ·      Think carefully before you put your work in a venue or situation. Take on 

                                        board the possible outcomes.

                         ·      Choose work appropriately…  that red brown and yellow was not subtle 

                                       against the other works.

                         ·      In this case it was a fundraiser and a calmer work that would fit nicely into
                               any interior would have had more chance to sell for funds, or a nicely
                                nicely framed work perhaps?
                         .    Take a friend with you!!
                                                                                                                                   

                  

In all, it was a very good experience. I did donate something to the Horsebridge as I managed to bid on a piece with in my budget. And well, I managed to lighten up about my work. Next time it will be fun.

Jennie