Since my last post, Randy has finished painting and I have begun filling. So far, only furniture that will serve as display and merchandising. But the look and feel of Second Street Art Market becomes more and more clear. I am starting to envision where things will be and how they will be displayed. Each little piece of the puzzle, whether it is a print rack or painting or basket weaving or piece of pottery is starting to show up in the gallery when I close my eyes and imagine what it will look like.
Last night I spent hours revisiting websites and researching artists, thank goodness for the internet. I have folders upon folders containing my hit lists. Micki is busy scheduling appointments with the artists who were in the gallery in its former iteration. I hope to get through most of those next week and make a decision as to whether or not we will extend an invitation for them to return.
I am anxious to finish the logo, start preparing the artist application and agreement and other collateral materials. Deja vu to the South Coast Fine Arts Festival, when the vision became so clear that I couldn’t produce the ancillary materials I had stored in my brain fast enough. It was more as though they were simply waiting to escape and go from visions to words and images on paper.
Doug has an idea for one piece of furniture I came back with. It is a claw-foot pedestal table that has been painted white. I’m not certain how to describe what he is going to do, but if it works, I could see similarly-painted pieces here and there throughout the store as anchors to define the look.
The walls went from a peacy-color to taupe, which looks almost off-white with the amount of lighting there is. Yesterday we also went and picked out more lighting to replace the shop lights that were in my office, behind the counter and in the kitchen. We got more flourescents for the kitchen, but cooler versions. Behind the counter we will have tracks with pendants and in my office, one strip of track with very bright, very white light and one pendant. The back wall of my office is painted to look like raku pottery with swirls of golds and reds and blues—it honestly isn’t “me” in any way. However, I picked up one of the blues from that wall and painted one of the other walls with that color. It actually completes it and with the taupe from the main gallery walls, it does look like it was planned rather than an accident.
In the bathroom and hallway, we picked up a green that is in the sink in the bathroom. The main wall in the hallway, is painted that color and one wall in the bathroom, along with the cabinet in the bathroom. To complete it, the bathroom will need newer fixtures for the sink and a new light fixture. Both can be reasonably priced and simple, but with a style that is reflective of everything else we’ve done. There is a slate table on Craig’s List that I think will be perfect in the kitchen, if it isn’t already sold.
Another shop has opened, called Margo’s on the Alley. It is in an alley off Second Street, behind another one of the furniture/home decor stores. It is nicely put together, but her pricepoints again are off for Monument. It is difficult to see, unless you know it’s there, and with the snow, absolutely impossible to park or walk to. I gingerly made my way down the alley carefully avoiding patches of ice in the packed snow. It was in the 40s yesterday, so adding to the ice was slush. It was a mess. I felt for her and was greatly relieved she had already rented the space when Doug drove by to look at it.
I have taken photographs, but have not had time to figure out how this new version of blogger works. When I click on the icon to add photos, nothing happens, so for now, you’ll just have to imagine what I’m describing.
This week along with working on artists, I need to get some of my woodworking projects in motion, schedule the lighting installation and get the carpet cleaned. That along with organizing what is already there in the workroom, behind the counter (cash-wrap I think it’s called) and in my office, I should remain as overwhelmed as ever.
Our neighbors are coming over to watch the game later, so I have my infamous chili brewing and enough snacks prepared to feed the whole neighborhood—my usual m.o.
It is good to feel like me again, and to feel as though I’m home.
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