final round…

yayy! my painting ‘Duality’ (see previous post) has been selected as a finalist in the Sunday Times Watercolour Competition! It will be exhibited at The Mall Galleries in September along with other finalists, from which the winner will be chosen.

I’m just so delighted to have got to this far! I met with a lot of cynicism along the way, from some fellow artists re the futility of entering these big competitions, when trying to decide if I should go for it. But a big thanks are due to everyone who encouraged me to enter and especially to enter this piece. 

I suppose there’s an element of chance about these things – there are so many entrants for the judges to choose from after all. I just try to see it as part of my annual marketing strategy, but I’m still gobsmacked! 🙂

Duality. Watercolour on paper. Mari French 2014

Duality. Watercolour on paper. Mari French 2014

 

Venice in Norfolk…

New work available at my Open Studio weekend, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June. Last opportunity to browse my ancient hayloft studio!
Directions at this link…
http://www.nnopenstudios.org.uk/artists/details/564

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an open success…

 

SOLD. Moorland light. Watercolour/ink on board. Mari French.

SOLD. Moorland light. Watercolour/ink on board. Mari French.

The first weekend of Open Studios was held in my studio in a rustic hayloft in Harpley, Norfolk, and was a great success! This is the first time I’ve actually had the studio open to the public and the interesting centuries-old building drew a lot of attention. It was really busy and I was delighted to sell four paintings as well as quite a few cards. 

It was really enjoyable chatting to the flurries of visitors – friends, neighbours, fellow artists, and other art enthusiasts, some from quite far afield – thanks to you all for making the effort, your support is greatly appreciated! 

I’d lined myself up a few magazines etc for the quiet spells… but there was hardly time to read them; and my cat Cobweb provided entertainment for both myself and visitors alike.

Visitor to Open Studio, May 2014.

Visitor to Open Studio, May 2014.

 

I was also surprised, and pleased, to see the enthusiasm many visitors had for my Cornish mining abstracts, produced on my art residency in Cornwall back in March – I’d thought they’d only be of interest in Cornwall. It was good to be proven wrong, a valuable lesson, and a boost to my confidence!

Oh, and note the great storage facility I have in the form of a large Canadian canoe (not mine, it belongs to the owner of the building).

There’s still an opportunity to visit my fascinating rustic studio – I’m open the last Norfolk Open Studios weekend 7/8 June. Follow this link for further details address and directions.

The studio cat, Cobweb.

The studio cat, Cobweb.

 

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SOLD. From Ninevah to Levant. Acrylic on board. Mari French.


Ready for the Open Studio first weekend.

Ready for the Open Studio first weekend.