For the cat people… you know who you are.

What a market on the 7th! I sold some oils then had a brainwave when I got home… So now I’ve painted some new pieces especially for the cat-lovers out there…

Ivanhoe yesterday was a bit quiet. That was my swan-song. (ooh – where does that come from? …I think I remember something about swans singing as they die…) Anyway – I won’t be at that market again. I’ve met some nice people and I’ve given it more than a year but it’s not right for me. It’s been interesting to look at the different dynamics of the two locations. For some reason I just fit better at the Convent. Does that mean something? The Children’s Farm probably brings the families, but the crowd is just generally more my style. I really respect Jenny who runs Sunday Arts at the Convent (on the 1st Sunday each month). She hates it being called a market and all that the term conjures. I can understand that, although the set-up is market-like in the best possible way. Yesterday at Ivanhoe I looked around and really felt like I was at a church fete – the music, the crafts – something about it made everyone there look like they were indulging in a hobby. The right atmosphere and mix of people is so important. Despite the aim of being an art market (named after the Heidelberg painters) – it seems you just can’t put Olde-crafts and modern artists next to each other and have it look right. Jenny’s event, while having struggled at times, has kept its authenticity and I really appreciate it. It works beautifully.

I’m back to the Convent next Sunday for the Maker’s Market. It’s a mixed bag of artisans and there’s a lot of very fine work there, then add the Shirts & Skirts market outside as well… it makes for a good day!