Author’s Note: Every Saturday, I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I'm fascinated by artistic practice – it's not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist's unique approach shapes their work, making it more than a finished piece. Just imagine having a weekly update from your favourite living artist. How cool would that be?
If this piece is too long for email, you can read it here in Substack. Or download the app.
A little sketch capturing a precious moment
I hadn’t sketched in a while, but I felt the urge to do so last night. I captured a screenshot of the moment my daughter saw me on a WhatsApp call and her little face lit up!
Lessons from planning the Crypt gallery exhibition
I love planning events, especially art exhibitions. This will be my biggest to date and there are many moving parts and that’s ok. I’m preparing for all eventualities, insurance, staffing, security, and stuff I haven’t needed to think about with previous events. It’s a different ball game when the general public visits your exhibition.
My goal is to make this event wildly successful. What does that entail? A high turnout, transformative experiences for visitors, accolades from art critics, and widespread acclaim. Of course, I don't expect universal approval, and if it receives some criticism, then at least it’s getting attention! As Basquiat once said...
”I don't listen to what art critics say. I don't know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is.”
I know, I’m contradicting myself. I would like art critics to take notice because it means my work is deemed worthy of their critique.
Oh, how things have changed since the time my art teacher scowled, 'You can't draw on a large scale, Steven!' to now welcoming critics with open arms. (I'm not saying I won't react internally and feel hurt; I just know that it's not personal).
A while back, I mentioned an Art PR expert that I wanted to hire, and this is the perfect time to hire them, they are booked in for 4 months before the event to create awareness of the event, ready for the start of the 2025 art season in September!
Regarding the budget, I've begun transitioning from rough estimates to more concrete figures, achieving better prices in the process. If you're a bargain hunter, you'll find this approach intriguing. For instance, the ropes and posts (also known as stanchions, which was new to me) I recently received a quote for from a hire company was £750 to hire! These are intended for the opening night only. Having a starting point to base my calculations on, I next checked eBay and found the same items for £250 to own. Now, I could use them outside my house with a red carpet if I ever feel fancy or sell them to recoup some funds. We're nearing the fundraising stage for the event, a prospect that fills me with dread, but thankfully, I have
by my side with her expertise (hire her immediately if you need any fundraising coaching!).It's nice to see things progressing slowly during the in-between times, and despite feeling a bit low during part of the week (I won’t go into it now, it’s work-related but personal). As you know, I’m a dad and a husband, and I work full-time while transitioning towards becoming a full-time professional self-sufficient artist. I'll share with you part of my goal, which states:
“I am a self-sufficient artist and creator of my own life.
I am exceptionally organised and structured in my work, personal life, and finances, allowing me to fully enjoy and be present with my family.
I am hosting a powerful, life-changing art exhibition at the Crypt Gallery in September 2025, attracting the right people in the art world who share my values. This event is elevating my art career to the point where I can leave my full-time job, as my online art sales income replaces my employment salary two-fold.”
Again, I feel quite nervous sharing this as it’s very personal to me, but there you have it, you might be reading this in 2026 and I’m there! How cool is that?
I’ll leave it there for this week, any questions or comments, reach out in the comments section.
Best wishes and deep blessings,
SLART.
Q: What has been the highlight of your week?
If you missed my last post, it’s here, open it in a new window to read it after this, if you wish:
Image credit: “DALL·E 2024-09-27 13.29.57 - An art critic standing in front of a large painting in a modern gallery. The critic is a middle-aged person with sharp features, wearing glasses”
Share this post