In an effort to continue the year of rejection I decided to take a punt and enter an open call run by The Gallery at Green & Stone in Chelsea, London. To my surprise and delight my drawing ‘A Birthday Walk at Micheldever’ was accepted. I was thrilled to be able to see the show in person, the standard was very high. I was so pleased that my small work was given a good position in the gallery, a central monochromatic black and white drawing surrounded by green toned paintings and original prints. The drawing sold, I noticed a red dot online on or just before the private view, the biggest confidence boost that an artist can get surely?
I’ve since been asked to return to the gallery to take part in a small works show called Under the Tree which opens on December 9th with a private view and evening shopping event where collectors can take their purchases home immediately from the gallery. Being invited back only reinforces that it’s worth taking a risk in applying for things, to get your work out of the studio and in front of the world. I can’t afford to apply for a lot of shows, as a working class artist the fees are unmanageable for me but I’m so glad that I chose to enter this particular open call.