Opening ourselves up to the public by Susie Mendelsson
16 July 2009
I’ve been beavering away in my home studio in Kenilworth since I moved here 10 years ago. Like most visual artists, I prefer to work alone. It’s not very conducive to being creative when someone’s looking over your shoulder! But at some point we need to engage with the outside world, not least because we want people to see (and buy!) our work. Time to let the public in.
My studio will be open from 11am to 5pm on the weekend of 18th and 19th July . I will have examples of all my work on display and for sale. This will be a chance to buy art direct, avoiding expensive gallery commissions! You can also see examples of my work on my website: http://susiemendelsson.co.uk
I first opened my studio as part of Warwickshire Arts Week in 2004 I had quite a few people come round and managed to sell a few pieces. I worked out the other day that I’ve created over 300 pieces of work since I’ve been in Kenilworth! Storing it all is a bit of a problem, so I hope to sell some more this time.
It’s strange looking at old work. I don’t have the same connection with it as when I first made it so it sometimes doesn’t feel as strong or relevant as my latest work. On the other hand, I have an objective distance on it and it can be almost like someone else has done the work and I can really look at it afresh. Always good to clear your cupboards out and dust off some of your old work!
I have always been fascinated by the human figure and consider myself to be a figurative painter. This is what I’ve said in my press release:
“The way people look, move and behave fascinates me. They are like unwritten books which reflect their life’s journey, their struggles, and the vulnerabilities which lie behind the mask. I can watch people for hours, inventing stories about them. Like made-up fairy tales, but with the real characters in front of me.”
But recently I’ve found myself making abstract works using rollers and printing ink! I have no idea where this impulse came from, but I’m very excited by the vibrancy and colours of the new work. You can see some in the background of the photo here. They’re proving to be very popular with people and I’ve already sold a piece even though the ink is still wet! I’m still struggling with fitting this new direction into my perception of myself as a figurative artist.
I do hope some of you might be able to pop along. Because we create in private, it can sometimes feel a little isolating so it’s always good to meet people face to face and hear what they think about your work. I’d welcome comments, feedback and personal impressions of what I do.
My studio is at Southcot, Crackley Crescent, Coventry Road, Kenilworth CV8 2FF. Phone 07866 470 444.
I completed an MA in Art at Coventry University in 2001 and I’m a member of the Leamington Studio Artists (LSA), Association of Midlands Artists (AMA), Coventry Artspace and the Coventry & Warwickshire Society of Artists (CWSA).
I will be showing at this year’s LSA Summer Show which runs from Friday 10th July to Friday 24th July at the School of Arts, Warwickshire College, Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa CV32 5JE.
One of my paintings received a commendation at the recent annual exhibition of the CWSA at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. You can also see one of my paintings on display at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, and I will be holding a joint exhibition with Polish artist Jarek Jancuta at the jGallery, Northampton in November.
For more information on Susies work take a look at: Susie’s profile
Comments
Yeah it is a great and nice article looking forward to have such article it is so useful. It is very interesting article and quite impressive and more informative and looking forward to read such article.
By Banner Printing on 2009 07 28