Yvonne's annual exhibition took place this week in the Chapter House at the famous Wells Cathedral, a major tourist attraction. I visited on Monday the 13th together with my wife and grandaughter Evie.
Yvonne and Evie
Yvonne, who is not a full time professional artist, although I consider her semi-professional, exhibited 91 framed, mostly flower paintings, around 40 unframed plus her own produced boxes of greetings cards. In just over two days she had already sold 13 framed paintngs, several unframed plus a number of boxes of cards.
Yours Truly with Yvonne
The Chapter House is circular, part of the magnificent Cathedral and very famous, although added later than the main structure which goes back many centuries, and took centuries to complete.. It is circular in shape and gets numerous visitors via a tortuous route finally involving climbing some quite steep well-worn stone stairs. Many come just to look at the ceiling and some even lie on the floor looking upwards! As you can see the paintings are exhibited in two layers all around the walls.
This is a small selection of the paintings which were very difficult to photograph in situ due to reflections from the windows and positioning. I don't think there is any question that Yvonne is at least as good as many professionals. Her blog is www.watercolourflorals.blogspot.com/ and she also has another website www.yvonneharryfloralwatercolours.com/ If you like flowers have a look . Yvonne is very open about her painting tecniques and has been trying some other subjects recently, although flowers remain her first love.
I contacted Yvonne today and she replied that the exhibition had been very successful with many complimentary comments from visitors. Sales of painting framed and unframed totalled nearly fifty. She also sold all her boxes of cards.
17 comments:
I just love that peacock and the dandelion clock with the clock/cogs behind is just inspired! Gorgeous! Not surprised she did so well.
Yvonne's work is first rate and it's so good to hear that work of that quality gets the recognition it deserves through significant sales.
Thanks for commenting Carmen. Yvonne is a superb artist.
Thanks Mick I'm sure Yvonne will appreciate your comments.
Yvonne is a wonderful artist and extremely gifted; she doesn't have to work at it full time. She knows what's she's doing. I'm so glad others are appreciating her work. I don't know what the amount is in England for the tax collectors to consider a person a professional artist, but in the US there is an amount one must make to be considered professional--I don't know what that is either. I should look into it.
We would define a professional artist as someone who earns their living from it Linda. Yvonne doesn't and is involved in several other things part time, particularly involving education. She is not interested in being represented by a gallery or anything like that. Taxation in the UK is based on how much you earn regardless of how (legally of course!).
Love Yvonne's work!
Thank you for posting her beautiful artwork.
Thanks for giving me such a lovely write-up. I really appreciate all your followers comments.I will write a bit about it on my blog when I have recovered a bit!
Thanks for commenting Delilah. I'm sure Yvonne appreciates what you have said.
Thank you Peter for allowing us to see the work of a very talented artist. It was interesting to read about all the aspects of the exhibition of Yvonne's paintings. They are jewels.
Thanks for commenting Ray.Yvonne will appreciate it.
In case anyone is curious I have deleted an `Anonymous' comment. As a first principle I don't accept comments from people hiding under the `Anonymous' label and secondly contentious remarks, in this instance specifically aimed at me as the writer of the post and my comments about professional and semi-professional. I honestly don't know what is the matter with such people.
Mr. Ward,
I tried to post under my name and was unable to do so. This sometimes is the case with some Blogger blogs. Perhaps I am not technically savvy enough. So, I apologize for having to use the "anonymous" name, but not for expressing my opinion. It's unfortunate you choose to take it personally and censor posts on your blog while posting your reply without allowing readers to see the original post and evaluate my point of view. My point remains. Yvonne is an artist. Other labels such as "professional", 'semi-professional', and 'full-time' artist are irrelevant to someone's art. My name is Louise.
Best wishes for continued success with your watercolor painting and your blog.
As you've given your name Louise I'll allow it to stand. You are perfectly entitled to your opinion. It's how you expressed it I objected to. Of course such descriptions are relevant so we'll agree to disagree. We shall leave it at there I think as this sort of disagreement/argument gets us nowhere.
PS.The `Anonymous' post you referred to that wasn't deleted wasn't anonymous. His name was Thomas.
I don't wish to be contentious or argue. As artists, I think it is important to think about how we present ourselves and how we refer to one another. I think it is important to honor a true artist like Yvonne without qualifying her or her work with external terminology that has more to do with social designations than with the essence of her work. It is the essence of her work upon which we must focus and which should merit our praise.
For many years, I have noticed accomplished artists and craftsmen labeled as "full-time" or "part-time". The latter often being considered "hobbyists" by the general population. I think such designations mislead the public and contribute to misperceptions about artists, the quality of their work, their importance, and their social contribution to sustaining our culture.
Artistic expression comes from within an individual. It is a record of their deeply felt personal responses to their observations of what is before them, just as a writer's is through using words. An artist translates his vision through his chosen medium and helps us see the world differently. I think Van Gogh was supported by his brother and sold only two painings during his lifetime.
I accept your admonition about how I originally expressed my opinion. I hope you will consider the point I am trying to make about applying these terms to our fellow artists. I do make my living through my art. I want everyone to respect all artists who nurture their creative spirits regardless of how many paintings they sell or how sophisticated their efforts may be. All that is important is that we each continue to practice our art. Thank you for allowing me to post.
Louise
I have just become aware of Yvonne! Her paintings are beautiful. Obviously this exhibition was a while ago but nevertheless I enjoyed your photos and especially liked the unintentional reflections of the gorgeous venue in some of them! Thanks, Peter.
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