Um, what have you been doing?

I was 'busy.'

OK, prove it. What have you been 'busy' doing?

Um. Well. Lots of things really.

This is all very fascinating but do you think you could spice it up a bit for the readers?

I'd really like to talk about someone else, if you don't mind. Yesterday I met lots of lovely local artists and crafts people. I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at a Marketing and Networking Forum at Bellingen. We all had a great day. I'd like to talk about the people I met there!

Like who?

Well, Ashley Johnston was one of the other speakers. He is a local and international street artist and has now opened his own studio gallery. He was fascinating! You can see his work on Big City Freaks website. He uses Snarl as his street name (I don't know if he wants me to say 'tag' so I won't. There seems to be a lot of rules.)
Like what?

Apparently if one was just starting out doing a bit of graffiti here and tagging there, one would NEVER spray over the work of a better or more experienced artist (better, more experienced = respect). Apparently if one did there would be 'consequences.' The nature of these consequences were not disclosed.

Damn. I really wanted to know!

Yeah, me too. Maybe you could ask him when you visit his gallery. Head off to corner of Vernon and Duke Streets Coffs Harbour on a Wednesday or Saturday and Ashley will entertain you with delightful paintings of birds (Willy Wagtails are my favourite birds too) and other works on canvas with a graffiti flavour. And you can see his graffiti on the outside of the building too, or in 'Snarl Lane' nearby. Tell him I sent you.

Sounds like a really interesting day. Who else did you meet?

I met Jane Wilson, another local artist with more usual art practise than Ashley's, but no less an impressive one! The thing I particularly love about Jane's work is the range of her subject matter, from mandarines to the nude and from self portraits to landscapes. If you are near Bellingen you can see her work currently on exhibition in the Federal Hotel.
And the others?
There were lots! My friend Annie Matheson travelled out with me and supported me in that little rush of nerves just before I started speaking by giving me a couple of squirts under my tongue with a herbal remedy that really helped! She is such an inspiration in so many ways. I must have been able to inspire her for once because she rushed home afterwards and started adding more artwork to her Etsy shop. Now that is the kind of reaction I was after!

What were you speaking about at the forum?

I was showing off Etsy and DUST (the Down Under Street Team of Etsy). I showed how the Etsy site works, how easy it is to use and that it doesn't require a large outlay of money to get started. I also really wanted to show them the DUST team because it has been such a help to me personally over the last year or so and such a wonderful group to be involved in. I'm hoping that soon we will have a strong North Coast contingent in the NSW section of the forum. That's my goal!

What did they think about Etsy etc?

I'm pretty sure they enjoyed my talk, I know I got lots of questions which was great! I could really only give them a taste of it in the time I had, but I'll be sending them a list of links I've done up to help them get started. I'd say most of the people there hadn't heard of Etsy before yesterday. While the website it growing hugely I think it shows the potential of it's future growth. If we can all tell another 20 or so people who haven't heard of Etsy, well, that will be a great boost for makers from all over the world, because really, who can resist buying stuff off Etsy!?

I know I can't!

No, me neither!

One last question, when did you decide to take talking to yourself to the next level and start interviewing yourself?

It wasn't a conscious decision. It is something that just evolved. I quite like it though. I think I might ask you some questions next time, when I get the links to the other lovely artists I met. OK?

OK.

Give... Give... Giveaway! and a bit of partnership building and network development

My friend Cath is having a giveaway! Lovely vintage fabric and crafty goodies could be coming your way. All you have to do is comment on her blog to enter. If you want to enter twice you can get that second entry just by following her blog (which I do already because she is such a lovely lady and interesting to boot!)

Cath only lives half an hour away from me but so far we haven't managed to meet. I'm hoping to meet her this weekend at the BELLO ART STIMULUS – Partnership & Network Development Forum being held at the Bellingen Memorial Hall next Saturday May 23rd from 10.00am till 4.00pm. Artists and craftspeople who are within cooee of Bellingen are invited to come along at a cost of $15 which INCLUDES lunch and morning and afternoon teas. Besides being a great networking event, the forum will engage artists and craftspeople with information about developing opportunities for online marketing and networking, local and other partnerships, gallery spaces and there will be a “speed dating” session with a gallery director to get advice about where to go next with your art or craft project.

The Bello Art Stimulus Forum will have presentations delivered by artists, gallery industry and marketing specialists. I'm not sure where I fit in, but I will be doing a session on Etsy and DUST.

For further information and bookings for the Bello Art Stimulus Forum on Saturday May 23rd contact Julia Morrell – BuildingBlox Project Coordinator on 0418 226 361 or (02) 6564 8947. Bookings are essential and close 12 noon Friday 22nd May. If you would like to be one of the 'speed daters' you need to mention this when you book and bring your portfolio on the day.

I hope to see you and meet you on the day!

The BuildingBlox: Developing the Mid North Coast Visual Arts & Crafts Industry Project is a project developed and implemented by Arts Mid North Coast Inc, funded through a partnership between the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the Arts NSW’s Visual Arts and Crafts program.