Support

toHonestly, it has been way too long since I last went to look at art... The Sunday before last we were kindly invited by our friend and colleague, David, to a Private View of an exhibition called 'Rejuvenation' at The Shoe Factory Social Club in Norwich, Norfolk.

I was lucky enough to be able to purchase one of David's prints and isn't it just the cutest?! (See picture above). You can find out more about him and his work on his Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Not only was it nice to look at some art but it was good to be there with friends supporting David. Artists need to support each other, whether it's buying work, going to see work or bragging about how great someone's talent is online - it all helps! I know how much support from each other is needed to put together an exhibition. It is a lot of hard work and not really something I have had to deal with since university (cough - 3 years ago - cough, cough).

I still miss those hours of working in a busy studio space with other artists/friends, having their creative-ness push you on to be a better you, encouraging you to not give up and to keep moving forward. Them supporting you, you supporting them; it was such an important thing to do. Sigh, those were the good old days.

Every now and then I get an urge, like I need to go out, meet up with friends, have a hot drink and doodle away or whatever in a sketchbook... Anyone?

Jeez, if you have made it this far through my ramblings I applaud you! And if you would like to meet every now and then to have a creative cuppa, let me know, I really need to get out more!

New Years Resolution

Hellooooo!

Ok, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you might know that at the beginning of this year I set myself the goal of doing something arty every day and I failed on the second day (come on - we knew that would happen!). I still kept "trying" when I could be bothered but found myself forcing it and it became something of a chore rather than what I used to love doing.

The past week has been a really good one and I have managed to balance making with my day job successfully. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, everyone who knows me knows that, still it is great to have something that helps you get away from all those worries and hopefully that people enjoy too.

So I am just going to keep trying and not make any promises art-wise because I never keep them...

Paha!

I Can Do This

Me and my clever friend!

Wow! Has it really been that long since I last wrote a blog post?!?!... Apologies. I have been struggling a bit art-wise, but I am trying to fix that, promise!

I am still working on my drawing and I did rent that studio I posted about last time for a few months, however, I ended up having to give that up (it was nice while it lasted!).

Trying to find a work/art balance has been a challenge. I have gained, left and changed my day jobs, meaning I now only have one job at the zoo. You may have noticed that I have had an update on most of my art accounts, which I think was for the best. I have missed blogging, maybe, but I definitely miss my studio more...

Fingers crossed I can keep this up!

Possible Studio Space

Last week I excitedly went and visited a possible studio space in Ipswich which looked great! It's across the road from Suffolk New College near The Dove. There's plenty of storage with a kitchen and a toilet too.

I just need 2 or 3 other people to want to share the space with me...

So if any of you are looking for one and Ipswich is where you'd like it to be, then get in touch!

Llamas

Here are my llama drawings so far, including a doodle and yes, even the last picture was meant to be one:

Headlines 2016

Last month, I attended the Headlines Private View to see this years Fine Art graduates work at the University of Hertfordshire and it was so strange being back there!

I found myself constantly comparing their Degree Show exhibition to ours; I just couldn't help it, of course they each had their own positives though. I enjoyed going round and seeing how everyone had progressed since I last saw their work over a year ago. Well done to them all!

Only downside was being boiling - I had definitely forgotten how hot the studios could get, especially with all the extra bodies around.

It was good to see friends who were in the same year as me and ones from the year below; sort of like a short, little reunion. I was amazed to find that a couple of the tutors even remembered me!

On my round viewing the spaces I picked up these three lovely business cards. They are from my friends; Jan Agha, Siobhan Ledden and Inna Allen (click on their names to be taken to their websites).

Unfortunately, that evening I only took a couple of photos on my phone. Above is a little sculpture by one one of my friends, who I picked up a business card from; he's a painter and sculptor. No idea what it's called, but I love it so much and want it! Below is one of his paintings which I equally adore and would like! They are both just so gorgeous!

Next month, 15 of them will be participating in the Free Range Shows at The Old Truman Brewery, just like students do every year. The UH exhibition is called Curation of Curiosities, which I think is a very fitting title. I am hoping to make it to the Private View; it will be interesting to see how they re-exhibit their work into a different space.

There's still plenty of time to donate and help them make it! Find out more on their gofundme page here. If you give enough you will receive a unique artwork made by one of the artists themselves.

You can also connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Soapbox Press

GUYS, LOOK! I'M FAMOUS!

Ok, maybe not that big, however, this was and still is so exciting for me! I promise this is the last time I will mention it (not!). It was published online a couple of weeks ago and I can't thank Soapbox Press enough for contacting me to do this; it really does look great!

I was sent a preview of what it was going to look like the week before and I hate to admit it, but I completely forgot about the whole thing until I was notified on Instagram! A lot had happened that week with one of my day jobs and my head was all over the place.

Of course I had to share the link on my Facebook page as soon as I could and according to their statistics the post reached 560 people because of the likes/comments it recieved. My page only had 56 likes at the time, so I would definitely call that an achievement of some sort!

All of this would never happened if I had never replied to their first initial message to me! I thought it was fake because good things like this never happen to me and I even asked them is this for real haha!

I ended up sending them an email with a few images of my recent sketchbook work and a rambling piece about me. I always find writing about myself difficult, probably always will and it's typical, but I've thought of more I should have said!

To read the full feature click on the link below:

www.soapboxpress.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/jade-probitts-visualisation/