My new studio and first workshop with 7 students

After all the hard work and worry about whether I had got the design right for the studio, the first equestrian in oils class, proved a resounding success.

Growing pains & lessons learned

“Wisdom is usually only gained by accident, or as a result of a cock-up!”

Mike Skidmore 2012

The following stories are true episodes in my life, and I would like to think that each tale told, taught me something valuable, if only in hindsight.

FRUIT GUMS & ROWNTREE’S PASTELS

My family moved from South Shields to Pontefract in Yorkshire when I was around the age of 10.

A new school and the distinctiveness of a Geordie accent, meant I quickly merited special attention from the other kids – mostly mimicry, but sometimes accompanied by a bit of a thump. I was fairly unused to bullying and it came as a bit of a shock, especially as I didn’t have the know-how to deal with it. Many times after school I would run home in tears and lock myself in the bathroom.

My father didn’t help – I lost a new pair of gloves one winter, and as a punishment he made me wear a large pair of socks on my hands to school. Half the class ran around the playground wearing their socks on their hands making ridiculous Geordie ‘why-aye’ noises, whilst a handful of others took the opportunity to beat me up.

It all subsided over time, but I always felt like an outsider at that school. At break time I just used to wander about on my own, longing for a bit of attention – the friendship sort – and looking for opportunities to change things for the better. I remember well the day I thought I had found my chance.

There were two particular scallywags who hung out together, and one of them lived at a confectioners shop, owned by his parents. He had managed to steal a large quantity of Fruit Gums, which must have inspired the intrepid pair to set about starting a Fruit Gum gang. Members were by invitation only and received ‘secret’ bits of paper to gain entry to the gang. I longed for one of those bits of paper so much!

Every lunch time they would all get together and suck constantly on large quantities of fruit gums, whilst regularly comparing tongue colour. It all seemed so cool, (or whatever word we used then), and I ached to join in whilst watching alone from the far side of the playground.

And then I had it – my first strategy. The next morning, having raided my savings, I bought an armful of Rowntree’s Pastels, as it seemed to me that they were the arch rival sweets to Fruit Gums.

I distributed my own invitations. At lunch time, all those invited, and a fair few others, descended upon me, took a pack of Pastels each and left. I was popular for about 5 minutes. I just skulked away and went back to being Mr Invisible!

An expensive exercise it was, but I learned my very first valuable lesson in creativity – it’s always better to be original!

THE ART OF ADOLESCENCE

As I reached the age of 14 my hormones were growing faster than my common sense. This was difficult to cope with, as I attended an all boys Grammar School that was a bus ride away from the nearest girl’s school. Consequently, we had to make do with telling ridiculous stories of the countless girls we had snogged, and even more outrageous stories of actual conquests. Some of the colourful rubbish we used to talk still makes me laugh, as our one-track minds, and libido-fuelled competitiveness, kept us constantly trying to outdo each other with ever taller tales.

And this gave me an idea!

My new studio – ready at last and big enough for eight!

No more loading up the van on freezing cold mornings to drive to a venue I’ve hired to hold a workshop. No more lugging armfuls of easels that seem to be alive and determined to attack me whenever possible, up steps and around corners. No more realising I’ve left something vital at home and in embarrassed fashion, have to chance several speed cameras to get back at something like a respectable time.

But I will miss Eric who used to open and close the venue for us. He is the most considerate and helpful person I know, always smiling, always with a tale to tell, and he too used to team up with me to fight the easels. But, should I need to run any larger groups in the future it will be Eric I call. Thanks mate, you are good’n.

As for my new studio, it is equipped with tables, chairs, placid easels, white walls, great light and running water. So if you are reading this and considering joining a course, you will have a fun and rewarding time.

Mike

100 FACES exhibition

WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the worries about being ready, hanging pictures, having enough wine or people turn up to drink it were unfounded.

The people that helped – Dave and Miles from the Carp Society, Bev Daley (a brick as usual), Vedanti (spiritual support), Shaz ( a burst of enthusiasm), James (who helped with the exhibition stands) my brother Paul (always there when I need him) and of course Cathy my wife who recieved a bunch of flowers bigger than her for her total dedication – made it all possible and worthwhile.

Great reviews, write-ups and some coverage from Cotswold TV all helped but what really made it special were all the people who came to see us and the many compliments we received.

And yes………WE ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN, SO WATCH THIS SPACE!

’100 Faces’ Portraiture Exhibition

’100 Faces’ is the title of the forthcoming exhibition of Portraiture that I am currently organising and curating. The event is due to take place on August 5th 6th & 7th 2011 at The Carp Society Lodge, Horseshoe Lake, Lechlade, Glos. GL7 3QQ.

You can view the poster and read a little bit more about the exhibition on this dedicated page, but I will also be blogging about the experience of organising the exhibition here; covering everything from gathering work from artists around the country and finding sponsorship, to considering the obligatory Health & Safety aspects of the venue, and choosing the Private View wine (or whisky in our case)! Keep checking back for new posts. All updates will be added to the ’100 Faces’ category so they will be easy to find.