Oooh, I'm still on a high. The last couple of days of the exhibition were a bit crazy. People came to collect pictures that they had bought previously, and more people came to view, and buy. I put up a notice saying 'Last few days', and then 'Last chance to buy', which I think may have prompted some to consider making a purchase.
Another blog reader came to see me, making the journey from Sheffield with her partner. They bought one of my favourite pictures, The House on the Hill. Difficult for me to choose a favourite actually, but I particularly liked that one. It was lovely to meet Samantha and her partner.
My family from Nottingham came to see me, they had lunch in the cafeteria. I didn't have time to join them as I was busy with customers. Also another family member came up from London. This is my cousin Chris, and this is the first time we have actually met. I am still buzzing with excitement. We are going to stay in touch, I am sure there are a lot of questions we need to ask each other. I want to know more about the family that connects us together.
This exhibition has given me a real boost. There's something about working in isolation as an artist, I always wondered whether my pictures were good enough, whether people would like them. Of course those thoughts are secondary to the main reason for creating art, which is you should always do it for yourself. It doesn't really matter what others think, though it's a bonus if people are complementary. Here are some of the comments I received.
So what's the outcome? I sold 12 pictures, and after taking out expenses for car parking and petrol, I have £300 to send to Air Ambulance Midlands. This is in memory of my Uncle Stan, an artist all his life and who sold his pictures at Burton Library for the same reason. A quick note about the library staff, they are super friendly, and very helpful. I met some lovely people. I'll post a video when I have a minute. Right now I have things to do. Still time to enter your walking miles on the previous post. Toodle pip. ilona
PS forgot to say, I gave away the 14 shopping bags to random people.
Fantastic and what a great cause to support. I'm delighted that you had such a great week.
ReplyDeletexx
Well done Ilona. What a wonderful tribute to your artist uncle. I'm sure he would have been pleased.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful - so pleased for you. Your Uncle Stan would have been very proud. I am looking forward to the video.
ReplyDeleteso pleased for you and meeting all those lovely people. your art is so good. maybe only maybe next year i will do watercolours or something similar. you are inspiring us to have a go. thank you for all your help too with frugality and recycling. i am hooked and spend my time these days in home bargains and poundland. the staff are so nice there too. amy and benny are enjoying their day in the long grass which needs cutting my kind neighbour will cut it soon. love to you mayze and heidi from liz amy and oap ben who is a treasure.xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done on your successful exhibition, as others have said, your Uncle would be proud of you. How lovely to meet up with family too. No wonder you are buzzing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful cause, they will really appreciate it, well done on your hard work.
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ReplyDeletePlease don't comment as Anonymous. Thank you.
DeleteEverything about this post is wonderful. Thank you for your generosity and how great to honour Uncle Stan in this manner.
ReplyDeleteJanF
Congratulations for all you have done and the lovely amount you made to a worthwhile cause.
ReplyDeleteLove Hazel. C uk
What a lovely return for your courage. It's very difficult to put yourself on display because as you say it's hard to know what others will think.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you've had such success.
Donating the proceeds to the Air Ambulance is very generous and I’m sure they will be thrilled.
What next? Another long distance walk? Sue
Wait and see. Ooooh, I'm such a tease :o)
Deletefabulous that you have had a good exhibition. wished I could have got down to see it , but other things got in the way. very well done lass,
ReplyDeleteGood show! (literally and figuratively). You had a great week in every way!
ReplyDeleteThat is just brilliant Ilona. A roaring success! Glad you enjoyed it so much.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Ilona. Lovely comments and lovely pictures. You have happiness all over your face.
ReplyDeletexx
It sounds like you have been having a really fun week and it's great to read that you sold so many of your art pieces. I live in the US but would love to have a piece of your art on my wall! Congratulations on your successful art exhibition and charitable donation :D also how wonderful that you connected with a new member of your family!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to go out on a high...and how nice that you are giving all that money to the Air Ambulance!.They attended to my Grandson when he fell through a roof at work,so their Charity shop,is one of 3 that I usually buy my clothes from.I am so pleased that it has been so successful and it must have been lovely seeing your Family! It will be interesting to see how your Families are linked with your cousin from London.Now surely you deserve a rest...for a couple of days at least!!xx
ReplyDeleteGlad it went well, great cause to raise money for.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations ilona x
ReplyDeleteFabulous news Ilona. Well done you. I'm glad it was such a positive experience and you raised funds for your chosen charity to boot. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteJacquie x
Well done Ilona - what a fantastic achievement.
ReplyDeleteStan would have been so proud of you Ilona. What a treat for visitors to the library, your family and, not least, Air Ambulance. Wonderful to see you looking so happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving me a bed, I enjoyed my stay with you.
DeleteWell done and congratulations in producing the works of art in the first instance and then to go on and display and show them, in away leaving yourself 'exposed', but your artwork is fabulous, look forward to seeing more, the air ambulance is a well deserving cause/charity and it was a generous gift you made to them.
ReplyDeleteWell done! I take my hat off to you - a courageous & generous thing to do, and you aced it, as they say!
ReplyDeleteWell done on raising so much money for such a great cause! Your exhibition was fantastic, we really enjoyed looking at your artwork and it was lovely to meet you too. We are looking forward to hanging your pictures on the wall when we move house! I'm glad that you enjoyed it so much and got to meet up with your family. All the best, Samantha - Sheffield.
ReplyDeleteThank you Samantha. It was good of you to make the journey, I really enjoyed our chat.
DeleteSo pleased it went well. Your art looks fantastic Ilona:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a successful exhibition. You have prompted me to have an 'exhibition' of my own creativity on my craft room wall. I think it was very kind of you to give away the shopping bags to random people. I bet it made their day!
ReplyDeleteSome of the bags went to those who bought a picture, but I also gave some to anyone that was jolly and chatty and nice.
DeleteWell done Ilona on raising so much money for such a wealthy cause and so completely unselfish too not to take any money for yourself apart from expenses. I hope the exhibition has given you a boost and that this will be the first of many.
ReplyDeleteKept £100 to cover car parking and petrol. I spent £55 on car parking, I needed to park close to the library and it was £5 a day. I made the 95 mile journey back and forth eight times, that's 760 miles. I paid the £30 for the pitch, I didn't have to pay for accommodation, I stayed with relatives.
DeleteI don't have to explain myself but I received a nasty comment from a reader. She said if it was her, she wouldn't have taken anything for expenses. I deleted it. How mean is that, trying to make me feel guilty. In fact this exhibition has cost me a lot of money.
Well done Ilona! I knew they would sell, your pictures are fabulous, so glad you get to give a good chunk of money to your charity :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic, you are enriched the lives of people who came to see & bought your work & very generously gave to a good & excellent cause. I think all round this is wonderful.All good wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your wonderful achievement, raising a chunk of money for charity, honouring the memory of your late uncle and having the courage and tenacity to put on the exhibition in the first place. I really admire you.
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