Abstract Artist Cathy Read

When a reveal is still a work in progress.

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:56:11 +0000

The Nomads exhibition is nearly over. And with all the activity, I didn’t get as far as I’d hoped.

So today’s reveal is still a Work in Progress.

But there is some progress. Hopefully I’ll have something by Monday. My big problem is the time it takes to dry. I dare not remove the masking too soon as it peels paper when I do.

So, until Monday!

When a piece lacks lustre – keep going!

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:43:40 +0000

Wednesday’s work in progress.

This week we’re back to Milton Keynes. To be honest, I’m not happy with it yet.

It’s not looking very exciting…

But once I start masking and adding colour…

Well?

That’s when magic starts happening!

Let’s see what I’ve got by Saturday.

Crowd funding – what on earth is it?

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:17:01 +0000

Being busy is great!

But recent events are stretching my funds to the max.

So, I’ve been looking into Crowd funding.

Basically you get lots of people to give you small amounts of money for rewards. And hope to get enough people interested to fund your project!

It’s not without it’s trauma’s but once you figure it out it’s relatively painless.

Essentially you put a project proposal together, work out how much you need to make it happen. Create a video and your project. Set some rewards for donations and launch it!

And there’s a lot of virtual hand holding throughout!

My first attempt was to investigate www.kickstarter.com. After struggling with the video editing, the project looked fine and was going well…

But setting up an Account I couldn’t submit an address outside the US.

So, I tried www.sponsume.com.

And no such drawbacks. It was actually much easier to use. So here it is. Still feels odd doing this, but why not? Big films get made this way all the time…

So why not a little old exhibition in Milton Keynes?

Dislike being on camera though.

Maybe that’s why I avoided a singing career?

What do you think?

On second thoughts DON’T ANSWER THAT!

Anyway this is the end result…

Now all I have to do is get lots and lots of people to share it and back me…

OK, now I’m nervous! I mean… now I’m excited!

Yes, that’s what I meant!

Please could you share or donate?

Finding the time to finish a painting?

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:24:18 +0000

You know those days when there just aren’t enough hours?

Well, I’ve had 3!

All down to the Nomads exhibition in Oxford of course!

But, despite that, I’ve managed to complete this weeks work in Progress!

I’m running with the “Room with a view ” title.

The tall building is the Crowne Plaza Hotel. And who doesn’t want a room with a view. Although, it may still change…

And the green building?

Is the back of the Royal Exchange Costume Hire building. (I know, such a catchy company name!) The front is very traditional Victorian. An intriguing fusion of styles.

Now, what next?

It’s going to be something from Milton Keynes…

Any requests?

Wednesday’s work in Progress

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:22:50 +0000

Hiding in the backstreets of Manchester is…

This week’s work in progress. A corrugated iron building…

What can I say? I love them!

Especially the hint of oriental character in this one.

I’m drawing a blank on titles although A room with a view is emerging as a possible title or concept. The building in the background is a hotel.

Maybe some colour will galvanise my thoughts?

In 2 days we have the private view for the Nomads exhibition in Oxford, so it’s busy! So, I need to get cracking to finish this for Saturday.

Organising Artists – impossible? How I’m working on busting that Myth.

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Are you organised?

I confess that organisation is NOT my strong point.

Yes, I can do it, if I HAVE TO…

But I’m not a natural.

I’ll have a deadline, and know what I need to do. But every time I set about working on it my mind turns to Jelly. And procrastination sets in.

I can’t seem to focus.

Until the deadline is practically on me!

But the bane of all tasks is…

ADMIN.

With multiple exhibitions going on. Remembering what’s promised to where and when is hard.

Tying myself in knots after another week of admin, I vowed to get organised.

Artist Management software is the answer.

Yes it does exist!

First I tried Flick by Arawak

I like the interface but it is slow and heavy on Memory usage. Storing image copies within the file.

After 8 months I gave up and switched to E-artist by Artscope.

So far it’s working well and is much more responsive. It links to your existing image files. A word of advice organise your files first as the link is lost when a file is moved. The interface is less intuitive than Flick and I’ve still to work out how to stop myself from double booking a painting but I’m getting there.

One minor niggle.

It uses the date format Month/day/year and I can’t change it. I’ve completely misread dates – not good for deadlines. But I’m hoping the latest version addresses that irritation.

Other software is available. I haven’t used it but I’d love to hear what other people are using?

Now, if I could only find software to help me organise my home life!

Muddy paws + art = mess – Saving a Painting from feline disaster!

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I had a crisis on Thursday.

As my Twitter and Facebook followers know.

After sketching until late Wednesday evening I left the pencil drawing out on the table overnight. Ready to start masking the following morning.

I came down to this!

My feline assistant helping with a hindering hand – or rather Paw!

Needless to say…

I wasn’t impressed!

But I knew there was a chance of salvaging the situation. Bad as it was.

Letting it dry first. Then cleaning it with a putty rubber as best I could. Hoping I could paint over the remaining paw prints.

So how did I do?

Here’s City Connections complete.

I think it worked!

Do you?

Connecting London? Artwork in Progress!

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:27:41 +0000

This week’s Work in progress is a view from the Millenium Bridge over the Thames, London.

I’m getting a bit cross eyed with all the buildings but it’s progressing nicely!

See you on Saturday for the finished result!

Revealing a title – CIS or CSI Building?

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:30:07 +0000

Sometimes titles can be harder than the painting?

I don’t usually struggle knowing what to paint. But, what to call the painting? Well, that’s a different matter

What can I say?

First, here’s the Finished Painting of the CIS Building.

But, as usual, it’s title is elusive.

I’ve considered CIS Building but that’s way too obvious. And although I like the idea it’s a anagram of CSI letters… that’s a bit obscure and doesn’t really work as a concept.

It’s tempting to go with “Towering over the city”…

But Cooperative Achievement seems to be winning the day.

The origins of the Cooperative Society are in the Greater Manchester Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale. And it IS a symbol of achievement.

So, I think that’s it…

Unless you have a better suggestion?

Sketching the CIS building – No, I don’t mean CSI!

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:05:26 +0000

This weeks Work in Progress is very tall…

Well, by UK standards.

Just the lettering on the top of the CIS building and I can start masking! And, no, that isn’t a mistake, I don’t mean CSI!

The iconic Cooperative Insurance Association building used to be the tallest in Manchester…

until the Hilton arrived.

And it’s something of a favourite with Mancunians.

I love with the angles. It’s a side street view off the beaten path. My favourite kind…

You get the feeling most people just walk past. Astonishing!

I hope to start painting tonight or tomorrow morning ready for a big reveal on Saturday!