Many of the items that disappeared from the shop have now been returned. I took them to Edinburgh, which was, as always, a very enjoyable fair.
Some items are not returned, not because they sold but because they are duplicated in the shop. It is my eventual aim to get as wide a selection at Miniatura and in the shop as possible, so that wherever we meet there’s the biggest choice possible for you. Over the next few days I shall be photographing many more new items for the shop, I’ll let you know when they’re on the virtual shelves. If you want to check for yourself the numbers will be starting at item 127, so if you can go to the last shop page, you’ll find out before I announce they’re all there. I expect photography to take at least a day and zoomifying another and description writing a third.
I have replaced the oil paintings in the shop but many are temporary. I’m intending to spend much of next week painting. I had an inconclusive ECG and am going for another test called a sonogram to show how my heart is working and why it’s making funny noises. I’ve worked out every day for the last ten years but right now even simple things like gardening are causing problems. All this started after the swine flu, so perhaps the sonogram will show if my heart is damaged in some way. Meanwhile a week or so sitting down painting will be therapeutic and not involve bending over. I have notes, sketches and photos of so many places I’ve seen recently, I’m itching to get started and the light is great at present.
There is also a new doll on the way, who is already made but not yet assembled. When I’ve done all of that it is my intention to get ready for Autumn Miniatura months in advance to avoid the last minute panic. One of the advantages of having interviewed artisans for 15 years is that I know everyone is the same, the smell of midnight oil burning is the odour of art. I have worked all night before a show on a number of occasions and did cut my week in Scotland short by two days to do a general show with big dolls and greetings cards in a field. I stood by a lake in a stiff breeze next to two terrific artists, James and Bronwen Horn, James a painter and Bronwen a photographer, working in full size. You can find Bronwen’s work at www.flickr.com/photos/bronwenhorn sadly none of us sold anything, mainly I suspect because the show organiser hadn’t bothered to advertise. Every now and then I like to do a general show somewhere to remind myself how good Miniatura is. It didn’t get to be the best miniature art show in the world by accident.
Tomorrow I’m invited to a party, but may not go as it’s a barbecue; us veggies tend not to find standing in the smoke from cremated animals that much fun. (And the garden could do with some rain, it would save me the watering can duty – you can’t tell from where you’re sitting but I think I may be developing great cauliflowers this year and the strawberries are already fantastic.)
JaneLaverick.com hearty, party, arty farty.