24.1.09

Financial Affairs.

Hog
© edward chadwick 2009

I've had a bit of blogging block lately, that and too little time.

Meetings discussing the future of craft have been taking precedent over mostly all else, leaving a smidgen of time to concentrate on my own projects and virtually nil for any carousing.  Finally by Thursday the fog of financial finicalness was beginning to clear, a trip to a small local village was hastily arranged to watch some pals indulge their passion for vaguely experimental electro folk.  The venue was intimate, the ale good and the company was surprising, especially for me, a friend of a friend turned out to be a real blast from my heady days as a student, when I still had far too much hair.  I always find it a bit weird when people crop up in your life after long absences, strange coincidences leave me slightly spooked.  It's the same when new pals also remind you of old ones too, perturbing...

The following morning, a chat with a pal over coffee revealed more opportunities for some evening fun and frolics, a trip to a trio of exhibition openings was in the offing.  By 5 impetuousness found me in the Bulls Head enjoying a couple of pints of a rather appropriately named 'January Sale' ale, which slipped down very smoothly indeed.  Thirst quenched I rolled to my first cultural port of call at International 3 to peruse some dark drawings and meet up with some pals. The conversation turned to real ale and rock which was enjoyable.

Next on the itinerary was Cube where a delectable young lady was waiting to join me in the evenings fun, the world of craft was put to rights over a scant glance at some architectural models and a particularly average glass of Chateau Irwell embankment.  The evening was progressing at a swift clip so some forward planning was in order.  A table was swiftly booked before the pace was slowed with a scamper down the steps into the rather cosy Temple Bar.  After hitting the jukebox for a couple of choice numbers, tracks were made to Cornerhouse where the highlight was a pig in the gallery - yes a real one!

The final port of call before the gallop back to the sticks was a revisit to the scene of some of the pre - Christmas crafty capers where a rather excellent night cap in the form of an 'Old Fashioned' was delivered after a good quarter of an hour of preparation.  It wasn't the only thing being stirred either...

14.1.09

Piety Pie.

 Ireland 2008
© edward chadwick 2009

The goodness is paying off.
Since the last installment of petty thievery, things have gone from strength to strength at the gallery.  Sales, commissions and general good things have helped put the unfortunate loss behind us.

Saturday, being particularly fruitful demanded some light evening celebrations, being sub-zero out, a trip down a riverbank was embarked upon in my 'christmas sneaks'.  Ground hard and crispy crunching underfoot illuminated  by a frosty moon it seemed like a great plan, the local was arrived at in good time for an evenings daftness.  A generous landlady, perhaps a little too much sweet soul music and stunning form on the pool table culminated in the loss of a 'sneak' in a particularly boggy hole on the homeward leg, not the best way to round off the evening, precarious infact.

A decision was made on Monday for a little reformation.  Opportunities arose for more silliness, but were swiftly rebuffed in favour of a nice bit of pie with a pal.  The pie worked it's magic but still left a little bit of hankering for cake, so there's still room for a jot of naughtiness in the new regime.

aut viam inveniam aut faciam...

8.1.09

Known to Cross Lines.

hv_02_08:01:09
© edward chadwick 2009


Just a little preview of my forthcoming exhibit, virtually finished after a heady bout of creativity, just a few loose ends to tie up.

The week so far has had its ups and downs, a particular low point was having a piece stolen from the gallery on Wednesday, a pursuit though the Northern Quarter followed, albeit slightly compromised by the axe and saw along for the ride! Unfortunately no miscreants were apprehended, so we'll just have to write that one off, however, if you're offered a black & white photograph of Manchester town hall in the boozer the likelihood is that it's rather hot!

Art theft! Pah! Completely interrupted my flow on my 'horror vacui' project.  However, progress resumed today and completion was consumated with a celebratory ale with a fine pal in one of my favourite watering holes.

Justly deserved.

5.1.09

Instant Gratification

This winged it's way into my inbox this morning!

Like proverbial buses, I now have two exhibitions to prepare for.  Quite excited about both, 'Horror Vacui' is going to be quite a departure from my usual form.  My submission for Instant however will be more centred around some old sketchbooks full of Polaroid lifts & transfers.  If I feel really frisky I may even drag my 5x4 kicking and screaming out of its comfortable retirement and root out those old boxes of Polaroid I have in the attic somewhere gathering dust amongst all the photographic reliqury from the last century.

Exciting times...


2.1.09

On the Brink

NY View
© edward chadwick 2009

The holiday season draws ever closer to it's culmination, just a few days left, the hours trickling by seemingly too fast.  Soon a Tuesday will dawn and it'll be back to the gallery to see what we can achieve in 2009, it would appear that positivity is all the rage this year, thinking big things will help you achieve greatness - that sort of thing.

The optimism sounds good to me, best laid plans and all.  Sometimes however, things can't be planned for and fate, chance or shear luck can upset the apple cart for better or for worse.  My usual trick is not to plan and some out of character attempts to do so for the new year have already fallen foul of diversionary tactics!  

The year started out in excellent style on the dancefloor of a slightly down at heal venue filled with northern soul and I'm not just refering to the music, the clientele being particularly favourable to a fine evenings entertainment.  Earlier on hotel rooms booked added a dash of spice reminiscent of shenanigens enjoyed in years gone by, the evening began with visits to some favourite hostelries.  After a whiskey chaser to dispell a sore throat a sensible approach to consumption was adopted and much welcomed by home time not to mention the morning after.

I had to concede that this NYE was better than the last not least for the lack of a naked man in the bar, having to witness some particularly busy hands ran it close though, but at least I didn't have to get the polish out the day after unlike some, that kind of thing is tucked firmly away in its box for now.

My Horror Vacui black book is calling and I haven't even started it yet....

Need to get on.