reality check

I have always wanted to be a teacher, I think before I even went to school and knew what a teacher does!

Being creative I never saw as something you 'did' it was just a part of life like breathing...

if I had a hobby it was dreaming of far away places, I can remeber getting books from the adult section of the library on Egypt when I was about 6 [ I know my age because I know where we living that year]and feeling so pleased to find that section of the library- such possibilities. National Geographic magazine was like heaven!

I am lucky as my life now combines all those things in large measures. It is a wonderful opportunity that The Universe has opened up for me, I feel my responsibility is to use it well.... which [unfortunately... I don't think I should use that word but am still struggling to embrace this side of things] means lots of administration type things to make it all happen smoothly.

Still very little time in the studio, ideas swimming around but I am so involved in the office side of things [ and exercising by pulling lantana weeds out!] that the studio is all lonely.

I have managed to make myself 2 new jackets- having finally found a jacket pattern I really like.

It has only taken years! The orange version is one of my Earthskins series quilts recycled. I loved the colours and pattern of this one and kept thinking I would like to wrap it around myself, so I cut is up and now I can!

The sleeves are Rayon velvet, my friend Parveen sends me from India - gorgeous when dyed. [ he is happy to send fabric packages to other people as well- email me and I will sort out the details for you]

The second jacket, which I actually made first is a very thick cotton flanel that I painted with black marks and then machine stitched in reddish colours- sort of reminds me of the bark of a scribbly gum tree.

Well I have just done my tax for the year and it was a bit of a reality check!

I have a wonderful year teaching, running tours and being so busy I have not had time to scatch myself!

Organization wise I am really starting to get things under control, financially the real costs of running a business are now becoming apparent.

Allowing something you love to become something you can share with others and support yourself with is a steep learning curve. There are so many unexpected costs in running a business- advertising, a car for business work, phone, interent....on and on it goes.

To keep me work going, to be able to give others the opportunity to experience some wonderful creative moments and have adventures in my tours means I have to organize and costs all that goes into it so I can keep going and the tours can too.

I knew this on one level but kept my head in the sand as to the fine print of applying it...now is the time to learn.

There is something in this for all to consider- when making your work, if you are selling it, teaching it the value you set on it should adequately reflect your effort.

There is something in me that says if I love it , I should not set a price on it... I do think it is true BUT

if you don't support yourself you cannot continue to share what you have. so I suppose you need to constantly ask yourself, is this fair, does it adequately reflect the efforts I have put in, am I getting carried away and am I asking too much?

Gosh it is hard!

Leaf

Been a busy week, last week I had an opening of my work and a friend's in a show called 'Leaf' . turned out to be an apt name, we both look at them in our work and i keep finding them in my hair and clothes after work on the farm!

it is on at Forsight Galley, 33 Union St, Cooks Hill, Newcastle, NSW

if you would like to visit.

lovely to do it on home turf as so many friends came to the opening.

At home still pulling out lantana, it must rate as the best exercise ever!

I now remember what it is like to have muscles as I can feel mine!

trying desperatly to get to the studio but the office conponent of supporting yourself through your artist work takes up a huge amount of time.

My tours , where I can share some of my findings in art and textiles are coming along very nicely.

the development process, though involves much thought in developing office systems, marketing and all these things I have never seriously thought of before so this baby, which is already hatched can continue to grow and prosper.

good discipline, and I want to pack in as much as I can for people[ and take time to chill, so we can soak up places] this will only come about through serious organization before hand.

All my years as a Steiner teacher and the one hundred and one camps, performances and productions we put on is really paying off in being able to develop a checklist and tick things off.

happy snaps from top to bottom gallery, gallery, my mate the wonderful Pat, me

Quilt 2007

I just got news I have been selected to Quilt 2007 at the Festival of Quilts in the UK.

I am so excited!

wish I was going there this year to have a look but I won't be there until next year with my tour, guess I will just have to try again

oh boy!

studio, tours and this and that

more works of the inside variety...

just a few things for a local gallery. and workshop ideas.... they are more rich and subtle really- the camera flash catches the sparkle of the braids really they are a rich shine under the layers of silk organza

my website has images of my latest exhibition http://www.fionawright.com/ - I was really pleased with the way these came out

I have also been working a lot to fix up my website in general... I am becoming more enthusiatic about my tours- the hands on aspect of going and doing things really appeals to me and to take a bunch of people with similar interests is even better.

the good thing about this type of business is all the research you have to do... i just love it going and poking around to get to know places first....

seriously starting to daydream about sketching in Morocco... oh bother i will have to fit it into my schedule!

off to the studio and daydreaming time

regards

Fiona

winter skies and work

the sky has been just magnificant, so blue and clear.... and collapsing on the ground with a cup of tea is wonderful

I have been spending time with friends clearing lantana[ it is a noxious weed in Australia, taking over the forest and squeezing out all the native vegetation]

we play with chains and pick axes- might sound kinky, but weirder yet I am loving it.

the chance to get out and do something physical and have aching muscles is so good!

I am in the office or studio all the time- both satisfying places to be but neither really get the blood pumping! here we laugh and joke and sceam as we fall down the steep slopes trying to get the weed out and am making great progress. this is only a job for winter when the snakes are asleep though.... it would be scary in summer.

in the pics the really bright lime green is lantana- it is everywhere!