This week I share work that has been selected for exhibition with the Graham Hunter Gallery during the Affordable Art Fair Battersea 2021 next week.
The paintings that will be on show are from my latest series of original abstract paintings- have a preview here. When you’re prepping work for an art show there’s a lot of organising between gallery and artist and a good chunk of admin to get through. This is my second show this year and I’m delighted that things are opening up feels good to be exhibiting again!
Exhibition details: 8-11 July. Find my work at stand K5
Background to my Live Studio Updates:
When Covid-19 arrived in the UK all of my upcoming exhibitions, art fairs and arts facilitation roles were either cancelled or postponed. If Covid has taught me anything it’s the importance of proactivity and self-resilience. If I had no way to physically show my paintings then I had to work out an alternative. I had a small online presence through my website but I didn’t really know how to use it and my Instagram account, which I also wasn’t very sure how to use. However, I saw these visual platforms as a way to keep my work moving & to get my paintings seen. I did an overhaul of my website (ongoing!) and began to be more active on my Instagram.
One of the hardest things I did was I began speaking live every Wednesday from my studio about what was happening, what work I was making, the ethos of my painting practice and all the realities of life as an artist. I felt vulnerable because I was putting myself ‘out there’ into the online space and wasn’t sure how I would be received. But this practice each Wednesday has proved to be one of the best decisions I’ve made over the last year.
Building Virtual Art Relationships
Through chatting and sharing directly from my art studio I’ve connected with first-time art buyers & seasoned art collectors around the world. I’ve had lots of positive feedback but the main thing I keep hearing is it’s great to see what goes into making a painting rather than just buying the finished artwork. I share the materials I use, why I use them, painting techniques and how I build the composition of a painting. Also as abstraction can be viewed as an inaccessible area of art people tell me they’ve enjoyed learning about this genre of art as I also share artists who have influenced my work and any exhibitions I go to (when I can!). The online art market has grown because of Covid. For me, I love that people can now buy my original abstract paintings online from me, connecting with me, the artist directly and building a virtual art relationship.
As these videos have become an integral part of what I do, I’ve decided to start sharing them here in my creative journal posts as it opens up my work to you. If you can’t come and visit me at an exhibition or in my painting studio at least now you can see & hear all about what I’m making and how I’m making it!
Hope you get a chance to visit the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea as it’s always a visual feast. If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch as it’s always a pleasure to hear from people interested in my paintings- let’s start a conversation!
Many thanks, Aisling x
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