I'm a Chalkie!

I’m a textile artist and absolutely love what I do. The possibilities are endless. Painting, dyeing, printing, ripping, burning, bleaching, embellishing, hand embroidery, machine embroidery....not to mention all the different fabrics. So what on earth is my problem?

How do you get your work out there? My family love it, my friends always say nice things about it, but, to be honest that’s not huge public exposure and I can guarantee they’ll never part with hard cash.

So, a little while ago when I was asked if I’d like to be considered for membership of the Chalk Gallery in Lewes. What?! Could this possibly be the brilliant opportunity I needed to show my artwork to a much wider audience!

Lewes itself is stunning. With its history, gorgeous countryside, a proper High Street, Charleston in Lewes, the Sussex Guild and a brewery, so, apart from sounding like a paid up member of Lewes tourist board, it’s a town you really want to be associated with, so the idea of being involved with the Chalk Gallery was an opportunity I jumped at!

I didn’t know anything about how the Gallery was run, but for me, the more I knew the more I

liked. It’s not often you feel a round peg in a round hole, but in brief, I’m still very much a newbie or as we like to called Chalkies.....I love that!

So....to continue!....the Gallery is run by all the artists collectively, about 15 in total, we’re all

linked arms together! Everyone contributing to ensure it’s ongoing success. It’s been going for 20 years so definitely doing something right!

The process of selection is sort of ok. When you really want something you can decide to torture yourself if you want, but that’s down to me!

Initially you’re asked to submit images of your work and each artist gives it either the thumbs up or down, much in the way gladiators were dealt with!

Next it’s the informal interview with your actual work. I’m afraid in my book there’s no such thing as an informal interview, it’s too important for all concerned and the world was sepia when I last had an interview.

But it’s over with, and the best bit..they let you know really quickly if you’re in or not....and I’m in!

Yippee!

My first hanging is about to take place.... I shall report back!