First the meltdowns: On Tuesday I decided that with Dorset Art Weeks (DAW) looming (six weeks to go) I HAD NO WORK to show. Not withstanding the fact that since the New Year I have created nearly 60 pastels, countless small drawings and around a dozen small to medium size oil paintings. It's no good you know, on planet Karren normal things don't make sense and for a whole 24 hours I was totally panic struck. By Wednesday I had taken the proverbial big breath and pulled a few things out to reassure myself, that whilst none of it was up to scratch, the walls would not be bare.
Meltdown number 2 came on Thursday when the postcards I had had printed arrived and they were not postcards but regular opening cards. Aagh - I wanted them to give to other artists so that during DAW they could have them on display. We always swap small items so that we can point visitors on to the next venue, and as they are free people love to pick them up and carry them away - it may not bring them to your studio this time, but they may remember you next time they are planning a trip around. I spent all day mentally fussing about what to do - what a horrible waste of money on top of the uselessness of it all, and I still needed something to hand out. Eventually the smarts kicked in and I emailed the printer. Dearest Chris Oldroyd got back to me immediately and accepted responsibility for the mistake - the postcards will be with me on Monday and he reckons I should be able to sell the cards anyway.
Well what did I learn? First of all over a much needed and lovely coffee break with my friend Amo (check her blog out at Amanda House "View from our Hill") she's a fabulous textile artist, but I digress!!!
She reminded me that although I have painted/drawn something I don't need to display the whole thing. She grabbed some mount corners and proceeded to cover up parts of the pastel I had taken to show her. Doh! Lightbulb moment. It's simple really.
The second thing I learnt this week was also on Friday - I experimented drawing with a pen.
I have to admit I don't like drawing, not with a pencil anyway and it's something I always avoid if possible. I love using charcoal, but make such a mess it puts me off. Well I have decided that I love pen and ink. 
The odd thing is that I am much less hesitant, more decisive and consequently the lines I produce (right or wrong) have a quality about them that says of course that is exactly how it should be.
And the bonus is that I find it quite satisfying.
The lesson I will never learn is to think before I panic, but then I wouldn't be me.
