Expect the unexpected

I didn’t expect to see a “looking for artist” sign at Artefacts, or to be accepted, as I had applied unsuccessfully several times before. But, accepted I was, so four weeks ago, I joined an art co-op, Artefacts Inc Gallery in the Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, Tasmania.  One month on and I’m reflecting on the whirlwind experience it has been so far.

Expect the unexpected, is the theme.  Firstly, we are supposed to do a gallery sitting from 9 am – 5 pm three times over a two week period.  With one member living in an area that has been threatened by fires for weeks, another that was unwell for a few weeks and being short one member, I have been doing gallery duty above this quota, (an unexpected) in addition to working three days a week and running a market stall on Saturdays.  It hasn’t left me with any time to paint at home but thankfully there are times at the gallery where I am able to draw.

I drew this sleepy nap-time wombat over two gallery sittings

While on gallery duty there has been a good mix of time spent drawing and attending to gallery visitors.  It is mainly tourists visiting the gallery.  I enjoy the company and it’s always interesting meeting the wide range of tourists, ages and nationalities. The nature of being on duty dictates that I mainly draw, but I can paint things that don’t require me painting washes, large areas or wet-in-wet.  Painting bobbles are perfect gallery-duty-painting items.

Another sleepy wombat, resting after decorating his hammock.

Another unexpected is that more of my art is selling than I had anticipated!  I’m re-stocking far more than I thought I would be.

Introducing a sleepy Tasmanian Devil that will soon be added to the Sleepy head series.

Artefacts is located in an arts centre and it has been really nice to get to know those around me, (another unexpected) especially the staff from Deja Vu Books and Inka Gallery.  On Mondays, a fellow Belgian (a big unexpected!) is usually on gallery duty at Inka Gallery.  We communicate in French and my rusty old French is becoming a little more lubricated each week.  The chap that works at Deja Vu is a bird photographer.  He has given me some of his awesome photos that that I can use as a resource to paint from.  How good is that!?!

All in all, the first month has been great, but tiring.  Hopefully the full Artefacts’ team is back up soon so those picking up extra shifts can have a well deserved rest.

I’ll be doing gallery duty on Sunday Feb 10th and Monday Feb 11th.  We are open on public holidays.  It would be lovely if you could stop in, have a chat and browse.

Until then, take care, Pj Paintings