The Hot Potato

Who on earth would take on the role of Head Honcho of the Chalk Gallery? Do you need a suit of armour, or could you bring about world peace in the blink of an eye, while dealing with a gang of artists who all have equal rights and an equal say? Tough one!

Certainly not a job for the faint hearted, so let's find out if Linda is the Mother Theresa of the art world or a bit of a demon, as she gives us her thoughts on being a Chalkie.

Linda Lethem, Chalk Chair

Are your fellow Chalkies an unruly mob, they know they’re all equal, but you’re HH?

Being part of an artists collective is a unique experience. When the opportunity arose to become Chair, I must admit I was very reticent to put myself forward. I am naturally quite introverted and have a tendency to try to do everything myself rather than delegate. However, I have owned and run my own art gallery in Lewes in the past and then a village pub and taught teenagers for years and so am used to managing large numbers of people. As a collective we are a democratic society where everyone has a say in how the gallery is run.

This in theory is a wonderful thing, however, people have very different ideas about what should be  done and how it should be done. Artists are by their nature very passionate beings and there are inevitable clashes from time to time and that is where the challenge of being Chair really lies. The ability to be a sounding board for every idea and disagreement without taking it personally when a member is less than happy about something, is definitely an acquired skill.

Being a teacher of emotional teenagers has definitely helped in that aspect. On the other hand, that passion is what breathes life into our gallery. The enthusiasm, knowledge and talent that each member brings in their own way never fails to inspire me and make me feel privileged to be the gallery spokesperson and representative.

© Linda Lethem

Over 20 years as a gallery… how has it survived? 

In the current climate it is a huge achievement for Chalk to have survived and blossomed over the last 20 years. It was initially started by a group of local talented artists with a vision and their own hard work and commitment made the gallery into a place that is well known and respected in Lewes and the surrounding areas. It is only natural for members to come and go and this is quite a positive thing as it prevents the gallery from becoming ‘stale’ and allows it to move on and represent new local talent and a broad range of art and craft. I believe this willingness to change is key to its success and will be what takes it forward to greater things in the future… we still have big dreams! The secret is to be patient and continuously work hard as a group to fulfil them in the long term! Patience is unfortunately a quality that artistic souls often lack and this can be the main cause of frustration in a creative collective. The Chair has to navigate these delicate situations carefully, ensuring  that the majority of the members are happy and that everyone is heard… especially the quieter artists!

Who would you like to become a member… dead or alive?

Oooh that’s a lovely question. I would prefer them to be alive or they won't be very useful on their duty days! Can it be someone who isn’t an artist like Barack Obama? Someone who can deal with everyone, even the most annoying, in a calm manner but underneath has a soaring passion for good and a strong work ethic. Plus, I’ve always had a bit of a crush on him.

Is AI helping or hindering artists?

The thing I really dislike intensely about AI is that you often can’t tell how genuine or how original something is. What I love about original art is it imperfections that show a process, a struggle and evolution. I think that with AI there is most likely a certain degree of sanitation to it on the one hand although it is not a path I am personally likely to ever follow. I can imagine that AI can potentially help artists to expand and develop ideas, I guess I’m a strong believer in learning a craft and I hate the thought that art schools will turn away from basic skills such as drawing, learning colour theory and composition and practical techniques from living practising artists with all their flaws and quirks. I’ve been extremely lucky to have had some awesome teachers over the years who have helped me to believe in my creative potential and as a person.

Lewes is pretty special, but if you could lift the gallery to another town, where would it be?

You’re right Lewes really is a special town with heaps of character and steeped in tradition. Nestled in the Downs, it’s truly unique in so many ways. I would actually like to pick up the gallery and take it to  Aegina Island in Greece where I lived for 13 years. I can just see the Greek light on the work and smell the salty air coming through the open doors… now I’m home homesick!

How do you pick new members and is it easy to say no or more difficult to say yes?

In a way we don’t pick new members they pick us as there is a proper application system. First we all vote on whether we feel someone has the potential to join the team and then they are invited for an interview. Clearly we are looking for artists that have talent, but it’s also about what else they can bring to the running and development of the gallery such as IT skills, marketing experience, writing and editing or graphic design. Above all of this, we seek people who are passionate but whose ego won’t get in the way of them being a compassionate Chalkie. Sometimes the decision is really hard to make, but then it boils down to a democratic vote for yes or no.

Do you give them a good grilling?

LOL, no… I hope that we are kind and friendly during the interview and let them have the chance to show us their work in a supportive environment.

What’s good and what’s bad about being a member?

This is an easy question. The positives are in no particular order a great space to show your work, meeting and working with other enthusiastic artists, exposure to all kinds of ideas, techniques, skills and information from other members, having the chance to explore your ideas with the public and other Chalkies and of course, hopefully making money from your art. The negatives if you can call them that, because I don’t necessarily think they are such a bad thing; learning to deal with the quieter months when you don’t sell much, having to commit to time and effort to provide enough new work, support, maintain and run the gallery… actually I really don’t think these are negative.

What other jobs do members have to do to ensure the smooth running of the gallery?

Chalkie roles include, Chair, treasurer, secretary, website, marketing, gallery maintenance, newsletter, Instagram, graphic design, new member and guest artist applications et cetera

Linda Lethem

What tips do you have for budding artists?

To keep it simple, I would say do it because you love it and not because you want to make money from it. If you are true to yourself, there is a good chance you may be able to create for your whole life but realistically most artists do something else to finance their creativity in the words of Grayson Perry ‘Do it for the art’.

Is it possible to make a living as an artist?

It is a tricky one but yes, people do whether they are a singer, a writer, an actor, a musician, a designer, a chef and architect or a fine artist et cetera. Anything is possible but in my opinion, being an artist makes so much more in life possible! That most likely sounds pretentious but from my own experience as an artist for 40 years plus, it most certainly is true.

First and foremost, you’re an artist could you describe your art and techniques

My practice as a painter and printmaker have always gone hand in hand. I usually have several drawings, paintings and prints on the go at one time, as the different mediums offer their own unique ways of creating marks, textures, tone and colour and these feed off each other. Drawing has always been the foundation of my work and I enjoy leaving undercurrents of marks and colours showing through the surface of a finished piece. I approach printmaking in a very different way to painting, as a print to me is more planned from the beginning, whereas a painting or drawing never is. Having said that, there are still decisions made and changed along the way while I work on a print. That for me is where the magic lies… allowing a piece of work to have a life of its own which cannot be predicted beforehand. I tend to work on ‘projects’ or themes and a whole body of work will come out of this. A theme may stay with me for many months, even years but in my head and my sketchbooks there are always more waiting for a voice on canvas or paper. As for scale. two metres by a metre would be my go to dimensions but an already crowded studio and restricted gallery space enforces a reality check and therefore I rarely work above A1 size currently.

Thank you Linda for such an honest and  indepth insight into what it takes to combine the role of Chair at the Chalk Gallery with your own creativity.

I’m sure you won't be able resist a visit now to the gallery to view Linda’s and the other artists work at the Chalk Gallery Lewes. A great Chalkie welcome awaits!