Gee How Quaint

The case of the missing artwork, bailiffs and an auction house down the road

So.

I have been having one hell of a week.  And I don't use that word lightly.  It has been so bad on so many levels, but hey, why start from the end when the story from the beginning is much better.

Two weeks ago, I received an email from The Art Works Galleries www.theartworksgalleries.com stating that they had closed.  Please come on either Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday to collect your items.

Unfortunately, the only day I had assistance was on Saturday.  So, my husband and I arrive on Saturday and are greeted with the sight of a very confused looking man trying to unlock a lock.  The poor sod just couldn't.  Because the lock had been changed.  He then called the gallery manager and then relayed the message to us awaiting artists to email Matt Forster, the gallery owner.  We had obviously just been blown off.

So.  After sending an aggrieved email, we packed up Josey into the car to go to the beach.  On our way, we stopped by the gallery again...where we saw quite a large gathering of perplexed artists.  There was no one there to give any information regarding the locked door.  So, I delivered the bad news.  The police had been contacted, blah blah blah blah....

So began my week of emailing a list of 9 then 11 artists information, receiving information, then dishing out new news to try to figure out where the heck our artwork was lurking.  Low and behold, due to a missed energy bill payment, EDF energy and sent the bailiffs to seize the contents of the property and change the locks.  Our things were then whisked away to an auctioneers just down the road from where I live.

Our things were delivered to the auctioneers on Sunday.  The auction to sell our items to pay for Matt Forster's debt is next Friday. As a group, the Disgruntled Artists Collective found out this information days ago, yet the gallery only informed us just yesterday.

Today I am off to the auctioneers to try to collect my 8 artworks and 30 Gee How Quaint products, as well as products for a girl in Cornwall, a man in Oxford and someone living in Chester-le-Street.

Incidentally, Matt Forster is showing his artworks at The Art Fair at the Sage this weekend.  I think I'll stop by.  Hm.  What could I possibly have to say to the man?

As for the backdrop to this entire ridiculous story:  This week I received the bad news that my second attempt at IVF failed.  That's it.  The end of the road.  Coming to terms with never having children is enough to try to deal with in a week.  This artwork fiasco is the icing on a cake made out of grief and disappointment.

Other projects

Vicky, Mr B, Duane and to the five others that keep to date with Gee How Quaint through this blog.  You may have noticed a silence.  A lack of updates.  A blog post dated 2 months ago, defined as 'most recent.'  Has she lost the love?  Forgotten her password?  Or had a bad accident, lost her memory, and is now wandering around the M1 in a bathrobe, reciting 'Motto' by Langston Hughes and practising Hula moves?  No.  I am happy to report that None of the Above best decribes my recent activity.

It is my involvement in 'Other Projects' that has taken away my time to blog for Gee How Quaint.  She (GHQ) is still bumbling along, picking up slight speed as she goes, and while she is happy to keep on keepin' on, I have been indulging in 'Other Projects.'

One project that I will only refer to as 1,864 has me collecting documents, information, researching into the far depths of  the internet and dare I say it...the Library.  Yes.  Proper research.  Library research.  It's a two year plan that started 2 months ago and I have gotten a little off track.

Don't worry, fans of Gee How Quaint.  You will not suffer from my time spent elsewhere.  Who knows, perhaps Project 1,864 will benefit you as well.

Spillers Quay at Jesmond Starbucks

 

After a manic 2 weeks with no weekend in between, I have finally created, had framed and have dispensed artwork to all of its necessary places.

On show at Starbucks in Jesmond: Spillers Quay (above), 2 Candied Car Parks (Gateshead car park in brilliant colour), Red and blue with stars Baltic, Newcastle City Living and a Sage with Pink Starry sky.

8 works have gone to The Art Works Galleries for thier new temporary gallery space at Dalton Park.

Castles of the Northeast will be accompanying me to the Alnwick fair this coming weekend.

Then I'm off.  I've spent hours re-booking flights to the states and have secured something that will do. 

To see more artwork, hop to www.cassandraharrison.co.uk

Another satisfied customer

 

Title: That Ominous Structure

This is one of three pieces I completed for a misplaced Londoner.  He has been missing 'home.'  Terribly.  Armed with a request for 3 views of his favourite city, he approached me with his ideas.  I am pleased to say, the Gherkin turned out lovely.  As did Big Ben and the building in which he used to work.  Look at the photo below.  Can you guess the name of the building?

Commissioned artwork, from Husband to Wife

 

The above artwork is my first endeavour to give the Sage in Gateshead the print and stitch treatment.  This particular piece was commissioned by a Husband for his Wife, in celebration of her birthday.  On the count of three, can I have an 'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.'  If only all partners were so thoughtful.

As I wanted the couple to be completely pleased about the end result, I asked if there was a particular colour scheme I should aim for. 

'Her dress was green....and she likes pink.'

Pink and Green?!  What kind of an atrocity would that turn out to be?  Thank goodness it was not the Evergreen green I had envisaged.  Minty-bluey-shiny-pretty-green was more accurate.  I thought using the cerise to accent the work was a good bit of detail.  To cover it all in pink would have been a bit too overpowering for the subtle aforementioned shade of green.

Anyway, the handover was on Monday.  I refer to this particular couple as my Patrons.  Think of the Medici's of Florence and what they did for the arts.  This is the 4th purchase from my Patrons.  Thank you very much for that... my shoe collection is thriving.

Another lovely month at The Art Works Galleries

 

My artwork is enjoying another month on show at The Art Works Galleries in Ouseburn, the art gallery district of Newcastle upon Tyne.  Actually, it is NOT named the Art Gallery District of Newcastle, although I think it could very rightly use that title.  Lime Studios, Northern Print, Digitalab, Star and Shadow (indie cinema), and The Art Works Galleries are just a few of the visual offerings to behold in that area of town.

Tonight is exhibtion opening night from 6:30 to 10.  I'm goin'?  Are you?  It's always a great event with a fine mixture of wine, shopping opportunities, music happenings and art adults and art students looking smart/unique/interesting in their retro wear.

I've put the little birdie on the back

Flying free...

 

This will be the latest addition to the Wear Me range of t-shirts on www.geehowquaint.com. I need to put a bird on here somewhere, but where?

The birdcage is situated on the lower left part of the t-shirt.  Should the bird be printed up by the right shoulder?  On the back perhaps?  Centre front?  Hm... I haven't quite decided.

Sold! To a lovely lady living North-er than me

 

After walking Josey, I received a phone call from a woman who was looking at my artwork at Starbucks.  Having lived in Gateshead, her and her husband shared a mutual appreciation for the iconic Get Carter car park and the Baltic.  And just like that, two pieces sold at my latest arty venue. 

There's really only one thing to say here.  And that thing to say is this:  Why don't you put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. H? (Sorry...this is a bit of an inside joke of which most of you...yes...the three of you who read this....you won't get it. I don't mean to exclude you.  In fact, please do add a comment and ask to be included for any future inside jokes.

Kind regards,

Management)

www.cassandraharrison.co.uk

As seen at Starbucks in Jesmond, Newcastle

 

'Dreamy Blue Sky Over Tyne Bridge'

This morning I dropped off an arm load of artworks to display at the Starbucks in Jesmond.  And may I say, they do look mighty fine hanging on the wall in the 'Local Artists's Gallery' section.

This is the beginning of my attempts to bring art out of the gallery and into the public. 

www.cassandraharrison.co.uk