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Hello again,
May's one of my favourite months, not only is it my birthday, but the weather is getting better (obviously this year is an exception) and people just seem happier. It may only be the 14th of May, but I already seem to have squeezed more into it than I do most other months and you know, I really am quite tired! However, I am determined not to complain as it's all good really.
I started the month stressed, as I had my big show, the Cheltenham Home and Garden show, which can attract 25,000 people. Only weeks before I'd had the chance of a good exhibition and had ended up giving away most my fave pieces, so I had been left with 2 weeks to paint paint paint! Painting under pressure is never good, as you never paint your best pieces and I do have to admit to feeling a little bit compromised. Oh well, I got there in the end and I really needn't have worried, as whilst there was a lot of people at the show, very few were buying (hmmm...yes, I think I'm starting to get worried about the state of the economy and how much people are going to have to spend on art). The show was tiring, but fun. I'd invited my friend Steph of www.handmadeheaven.biz to exhibit with me, as it's always better sharing it with someone and we did find plenty to amuse ourselves with (all the wrong things of course...the turkish property developer telling me I was his sunrise and sunset, all dodgy fashion show etc). I sold 2 big pieces, a greetings card and received a small commission, so it's fair to say I won't be retiring anytime soon.
Just when I was starting to get a bit down with it all and considered throwing it all in for an easier life, a few things happened. I sold a big painting off my website to someone through the show, I got approached by a big FMCG company who had money to spend on art and wanted me and then an interior company in Cheltenham want to sell my work and throw me a launch party too (champagne...wheyhey!).
So, it's been tiring, full of highs and lows, but you know what, there really is light at the end of the tunnel.
....and on that note TishTash is heading off to Egypt for 2 weeks of sunshine and relaxation. I can't wait!
Over the past year I've received lots of commissions. People present me with pictures they like but can't afford, fabrics of their new curtains, wallpaper, paint chart samples, greetings cards, wrapping paper, you name it! Whilst setting up my business I've probably been a bit guilty of accepting any commission just to get the business in. Don't get me started on the Dutch windmill landscape scene which took me 6 months I hated it so much!! My new policy is only to accept commissions which fit in my area (e.g. colourful contemporary abstract stuff) and which I am comfortable with from the start.
Recently I had a new experience in that I was approached to produce a painting for an 18th birthday present his girlfriend. She had lots of ideas, but didn't really know what she wanted. The main bit of inspiration she gave me was that he was a fan of old skool rave stuff and so bright colours were a must. As a bit of throw away comment she told me that he loved the artwork on the Klaxons CD cover. I went home and had a few attempts at some rave inspired numbers, but nothing was working. Then as luck would have it, my boyfriend had the Klaxons CD on the shelf and well, that took me off in a whole new direction! I ended up choosing key elements of the cover work and incorporating them in a canvas design. There was my usual texture, colour and quirkiness, but it was so different from my usual work, that even I was shocked at the outcome, I liked it! My favourite bit is that I managed to incorporate the "future" line in the design, which is soooo appropriate for the occasion.
The time came to deliver it, I was nervous, I mean there is always that chance that someone may hate it. However, phew...she loved it and now I just hope her boyfriend feels the same when he receives it as a gift later this month.
You know, I really enjoyed the new challenge and it got me thinking that this could be my new line. I may try Kylie next :) So, if you have any favourite CD or record cover artwork, send it my way for a one off inspired design!
Hello there and welcome to the blog of Tash Hatherall, increasingly known as TishTash, marketeer by day, contemporary artist all the remaining hours in the day! As my TishTash business takes off (hurrah!) I find myself with less hours in the day, so I'm creating this blog as a way of keeping my friends, family and customers more informed on what I'm up to, with all my latest news, thoughts and witterings! I do like to talk you know....
