It's not the size that matters!

Sorting stuff in the studio this morning for a birthday present reminded me that when I was in the gallery I often saw customers struggling to find what they were looking for, that special little gift that didn't break the bank yet would be personal to the recipient or their family.  Not everyone can afford to splash out can they.  Besides "it's the thought that counts".

I often happily stopped what I was working on to do an impromptu little personalised painting and after working on bigger canvases I always enjoyed the break and the challenge.

One special memory was a regular customer with her wedding on the horizon looking for "thank you" gifts for her bridesmaids and best man.  We looked at jewellery and the usual things but with the ages ranging so much she wanted something that would unite all the gifts yet be personal to each and every one. We chatted more and she mentioned that the song "A perfect day" would play a role and then she spoke about each and every bridesmaid and the best man and what they all liked. 

The seed was sown and after a few emails and phone calls I presented her with a collection of framed mini personalised watercolours and we even included one for the groom.  With space on the back for their personal message the feedback was that these went down a treat. Here are a few of them

 for the young bookworm

 for the cat lover

 for the champagne and cat lover

for the shoeaholic

for the young newt keeper

for the afghanhound lover

for the groom











2015 and 2016 saw me mainly painting in oils, landscapes of the Peak District on canvases but I started out as a watercolour artist and still love the unpredictability and delicateness of watercolours.  

Since moving to my new private studio I've been asked if I am still doing the little family trees, and the "I love you more than..." minis which again were an unusual yet affordable gift.

The answer is YES!

I've not put these on my website as I want to keep that for my paintings and prints but you can get in touch by email karinagoodman@icloud.com or pop over to my Etsy Shop where you can see more info and order online https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Studio61GalleryGifts 

I tend to do my House Portraits mainly in watercolour but always up for a challenge

I love doing these and work to the customers budget and colour palette
I'm hoping to do more in 2017 ...


I will still be working to commission no matter how big or small and am always happy to advise and get the old cogs working to come up with something a bit different. I'm looking forward to starting my book illustration work too.


My next painting commission is a 6 foot tryptic to be shipped overseas.  The customer did want a 6 foot canvas but because of high shipping costs and possible damage I suggested three canvases to form one painting.  Really looking forward to the challenge of this

So if you've got any special birthdays, weddings, anniversary's or events coming up and want something unique yet won't break the bank then please shout up
.........size doesn't matter!!

Off now to get another coffee and move around a bit cos I've got frozen sat here on my laptop..

keep warm... love Karina xx

Plans, Paints and Post-its

Happy New Year.  It's my first day back in the studio after a very relaxing family Christmas and I'm finally using my new 2017 diary which I've been filling for some time with events, exhibitions and stuff. I've always had a thing for new stationery, so armed with a ton of new post-its from Santa and a grown up year planner, I'm looking forward to this year feeling a lot more organised!  Let's review that in March eh 😀

A nice start to 2017 was a mention in Art Share Love Wales magazine having been approached last year

January will also see me starting a new body of work for my first exhibition of the year in March at Cromford Studio and Gallery.  Some new pieces will be framed oils on paper in a new colour palette.  Rather excited about this and can't wait to get cracking. 

February 8th sees the start of a new art group I am co-running with artist friend, Ruth Gray who I work closely with as we form Purple and Grey, an art consultancy helping other artists network, learn and create. (Check our website as first networking event is in Matlock on 25 January) 

Our Derbyshire Regional SAA Art Group is open to all abilities, friendly and informal with a full year planned so if you fancy joining us then please get in touch.  We meet twice a month at Tansley Village Hall, on the road and at galleries/venues

I also intend working on my second children's book, both writing and illustrating and I've got a book illustration commission in the pipeline, so now my studio is tucked away I'm hoping I can get more done than last year. No excuse now.

I love working to commission and am still taking commissions for paintings, favourite views and house portraits.  I work in oils and watercolours so again shout up if I can help. I can do gift vouchers for wedding gifts, special birthdays etc.  More info is on my commissions page on my website

I'm looking forward to more time to visit stockists of my work up and down the country and keep them supplied with new work, which I sadly neglected because of lack of time.  Plus I always love a road trip with Bruno in Stan so it will be nice to mix business with pleasure

I'm hoping to keep my blog more updated so if I don't give me a nudge please eh!


Anyway I'm off to get another coffee and tackle those emails before I take my little pal for his walk in the woods

Keep warm and catch up soon

Love Karina 

and Bruno xx

No excuse now

After weeks of being surrounded by them I've finally emptied all the boxes after the studio move and have discovered even more paint and canvases (no excuse now eh). 

I just love my new space looking into the woods nestled under the trees, and with the pitter patter of rain on the roof I feel this is bound to have an impact on my work.  

I'm still inspired by misty mornings and we've certainly had our fair share this month but already I'm planning a new body of work, new colours and I'm sure trees and woodland will feature or have played an important part.  

I love the seasons and enjoyed painting a collection caputuring the moors so I'm looking forward to being more aware of mother nature and the changes in the trees.  Spring is my favourite so whilst I don't want to wish my life away I am looking forward to seeing new growth and can't wait for the lighter nights

I will be starting a new commission after Christmas and new ones for my first 2017 exhibition ...in March so keep you posted


I'm missing seeing my lovely customers but with the magic of Facebook it's great to catch up where we left off. It would be so tempting to open up my studio but the whole reason for the move was so I could crack on with my work and with a book illustration in the pipeline I really do need more time.



Anyway Bruno is now pestering me for a quick run in the woods (he's loving it but does miss all the fuss and attention he got in the old place). 

Catch you soon

Love Karina
& Bruno the Gallery Dog xxxx

First blog from new Studio 61

After a manic few months Studio 61 has now moved to a woodland hideaway after being open to the public for 11 happy years.  It's from here that I am writing my first blog still accompanied by Bruno the gallery dog who loves his new surroundings and the freedom that comes with it

It was a hard decision to make but with increasing commissions and a new book illustration  (not my book) I was really struggling with time, or lack of it, trying to run the gallery, manage all the makers and do my own work so a retreat in the woods was offered and I jumped at it.

I know some of you are dying to visit but sadly there's no public access but with the magic of social media, my newsletters and my new found freedom I'm sure I'll be keeping in touch with all my lovely customers who I now regard as friends.  Plus I am now mobile for giclee printing customers and home visits (& coffee shop meet ups!) can be arranged to discuss commissions, book illustration or I can bring a selection of paintings to try in your own home

I'm still unpacking boxes and sorting but here's a sneaky peek

Already I have lots planned for 2017 and new doors are opening so I'm not disappearing off the face of the planet.  In fact my diary is getting full right up to Christmas 2017

Plans for 2017 include 

- March Exhibition (painting new ones)

-new role as Derbyshire RSC (Regional Society Corordinator) for The SAA    (Society for all Artists)

- a new Art Group 

- On the Road in Stan

- Networking at Galleries

- June Fresh and Unframed

- and more events and exhibitions by www.purpleandgrey.co.uk 

(I'm Purple if you didn't know!)

I'm looking forward to getting my studio organised so I can start on my last commissions this year.  

Being surrounded by trees I already feel my work will change and ideas are  buzzing around my head.  I will still be working to commission, no matter how big or small so please shout up as I love doing these karinagoodman@btinternet.com   

I'll update you with more pics once I've emptied more boxes and keep you posted on my thoughts and ideas for new work

Take care and catch up soon

Karina xxxx

& Bruno of course x

ps please sign up for my newsletter if not already done so thanks 

.  

New Art Group, Studio 61 on the move and more

this month's news......

this weekend
November fundraising
new art group
on the move
Winter sale

Lots to tell you as it's been a busy year to say the least and November is no exception.

This Sunday sees me once again exhibiting with a lovely group of artists and makers

NOVEMBER ARTISTS FUNDRAISING


New Art Group

As Derbyshire Regional Society Coordinator (RSC) for The Society For All Artists (SAA), assisted by fellow SAA PA Ruth Gray,  we have formed new Art Group for artists to  #network #learn #create with events at Tansley Village Hall, on the road and at galleries/art venues.  Full programme is on 
Derbyshire Regional SAA - Purple and Grey Art Group
​
 #network #learn #create .

Studio 61 is relocating

This year has seen me struggle with time, or lack of it as I’m getting busier with my commissions and trying to write and illustrate my second children’s book. Running the gallery, managing all the artists and makers on my books, the fundraising exhibitions, the Hippity Hop online shop, Studio 61 Printing and Purple and Grey commitments has been a bit like juggling plates to say the least.

So, Studio 61 has moved to a woodland hideaway after being open to the public for many happy years, but with more commissions and book illustrations it means I can now paint or write most days still accompanied by Bruno the gallery dog who loves his new surroundings.  

Studio 61 Printing will continue "by Appointment or by Post" 

Winter Sale 5-19 November 10-4   -   STARTS 10 AM THIS SATURDAY

The last few weeks at Holloway this year will see a Winter Sale of paintings, prints, cards, glass and ceramics with 10% off everything including all the silver jewellery (Blue John, Whitby Jet, Coral, Seaglass and more).  Plus there will be up to 50% off many of my originals.  All just in time for Christmas.  

I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who visited my studio at Holloway and for their support, but I will still be on social media and already doors are opening for me to exhibit at the venues so that's not the last you are seeing of me!!

Hope to see you within the next few weeks 

Karina xxx

November Fundraising for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust - Meadow and Moors

This month's fundraiser is for The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the theme is Meadows and Moors and includes work by Natasha Braithwaite Dark Room Photography, John Connolly, Valerie Dalling, Frances Daunt, Karina Goodman and Sue Wharton

 

In May 1912, a month after the Titanic sank, Charles Rothschild held a meeting to discuss his radical idea about saving places for nature. This meeting led to the formation of the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves, which would become the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, and signalled the beginning of UK nature conservation as we know it. 

The Society worked hard to secure Government protection for sites across the UK they considered ‘worthy of preservation’, but it was not until the 1940s that nature conservation made it onto the statute with the National Parks; Access to the Countryside Act in 1949.

Meanwhile local conservation organisations, the forerunners to Wildlife Trusts, were beginning to spring up. The first was Norfolk in 1926, followed by Yorkshire in 1946 and Lincolnshire in 1948. The 1950s saw more and more groups beginning to form and by the end of the decade the Society took on the role of a national association to represent them. The Scottish Wildlife Trust was formed in 1964 and Trusts now covered the whole of Britain. The movement expanded further in 1978 with the formation of the Ulster Wildlife Trust. There are now 47 Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney.
For more information please go to: The Wild Life Trusts Website.

Derwent Wise Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

All invited 

November 16th 2016 10.30 - 12 at Studio 61

Purple and Grey Christmas Gift Showcase

Bring £10 to spend and a basket of your handmade art and crafts and buy and sell and network at the same time.

Studio 61 Gallery

Leashaw, Holloway, Nr,Matlock,Derbyshire,DE4 5AT

NEW FOR 2017

DERBYSHIRE REGIONAL SAA - PURPLE AND GREY ART GROUP
sign up to receive more info

October Exhibition Fundraising for The British Red Cross

The exhibition for October is in aid of The British Red Cross  The Exhibition is called Far Away Places and the artists taking part are:

John Connolly
Valerie Dalling
Martin Davis
Maddy Devitt
Karina Goodman
Mary Smith

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
They are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.

They help vulnerable people in the UK and abroad prepare for, withstand and recover from emergencies in their own communities.
To help raise money for this great cause come in and browse our artwork where 25% of sales will be donated to the charity.