More creating through the COVID haze.

Been spending the last few weeks in the studio painting and drawing lots of studies, plus adding layers to ongoing paintings.

I’m consciously not rushing this process, making sure I’m making the right choices to improve my work in readiness for the reopening of non-essential shops after COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.

I wonder when this will be? We are told at the end of March in time for Easter. I hope so, as this lockdown is killing many opportunities to showcase and sell art. Artists and the creative sector is suffering so much. There’s nothing quite like seeing paintings in reality, rather than solely relying on online sales to make a living.

I am pretty sure I am not the only one that thinks opening COVID secure (essential or non-essential) small businesses, is a much safer option for people than supermarkets or other big cooperates. It seems that these large businesses present so many more risks to customers to pick up the virus from some selfish idiot not keeping to social distancing measures, wearing a face covering or sanitizing their hands regularly.

Just hope this vaccine can have a big impact and we can all get back to some sort of normality in a safer world.

Take care x

Gallery & selling

The last thing I want is for this post to be really negative but I think it’s important to be truthful and honest with oneself, in order to move forward and plan positively for the future.

Selling one’s artwork is difficult at the best of times but in the present climate, unless you already have an online presence being proactively promoted by an agent or other art professional, it is very frustrating, time consuming and challenging.

My physical selling outlets are currently closed, and they’re not in a position to sell my work online; therefore, like many other artists, I have to do my own marketing and selling.

I have an Etsy account which I need to develop, and an eBay shop which has suddenly become a very expensive way of running a business if you have new goods to sell. eBay insisted on me changing my account from personal to business, but I never realized the difference in costs!

My most successful ways of selling has been Instagram and Facebook. These have created commissions and sales of current work.

So, although I’ve added a number of paintings to my gallery on duncanthrussellart.com, the challenge now remains of getting the message out there to potential art buyers, art exhibitors, agents and potential commission clients.

A work in progress….

Thank you for your support.

Stay safe, keep creating, be happy x

Artwork for sale

My art work can be purchased via the gallery page of duncanthrussellart.com

Uploading images all the time. If interested please contact me to arrange payment and delivery/pick-up.

Despite a number of issues around arranging a house move and family worries due to COVID-19, I am currently in the middle of completing new work. These will be exhibited when the pandemic measures have been lifted, with some being posted and available to purchase on here.

Other work can currently be purchased via Crafters’ Corner Facebook page. http://facebook.com/crafterscornerattraders

Always available for commissions too. From expressive and colourful seas, urban and landscape acrylics and drawings, to portrait drawings of your favourite pets. Please contact me for further details and prices.

Looking at brighter times..

Was really pleased to have some new business cards delivered this week. Gave me a big boost. Despite knowing I’ve got a busy week of personal stuff to do, I’m still going to make an effort to pop into the studio, put some music on, potter around, put some brush strokes on one of paintings that I’ve got going and do some drawing.

To help me focus, one day I was looking back at the work I had exhibited in 2019 at West Beach Cafe, Rope Walk, Littlehampton. I hope this cafe will be able to open again in the spring, and it would be amazing to get some work on the walls there again. It is such a lovely spot for people to sit and relax with some refreshments, watch the sea roll in and purchase some artwork.

I therefore have a number of reasons to create more art work. (West Beach Cafe, Crafters Corner, Clifton Road Gallery, potential online sales & promotion for commissions).

Although Clifton Road Gallery may not open again due to the temporary rental agreement, but it may be amalgamated into Crafters Corner, we shall see.

Purchasing an art card makes an artist’s day!

I’ve been adding some art work to my gallery page, all available for sale.

Amongst the artwork are art cards. A purchase of a reasonably priced art card means that an artist is being supported and an artist feels like their work is being appreciated.

Many thanks for your support. Take care and stay safe.

Prints & current work

Hoping to organise prints of drawings and paintings.

I often wonder how other artists can afford to make lots of prints of their work, so I’m researching the best and most affordable way of doing this. More updates soon.

UK lockdown number 3 is now upon us until at least February 2021. A scary and very mentally draining time for everyone, which can make it difficult to focus on creative work. Paradoxically being creative, along with exercising and being with people you love, can be one of the best ways of focusing yourself and being happy.

Currently finalising new paintings for 2021 which will be available to purchase through Crafters Corner and Clifton Road Gallery, Clifton Road, Littlehampton.

More updates available soon and through social media.

Art cards available to purchase, £2 each.
An example of one of my expressive drawings.

New year, new challenges

Well we now start a new year, and face head-on new challenges and adventures.

COVID-19 is still here and growing as I write, and UK is now no longer a member of the EU.

The gallery and craft shop I sell through cannot open because of Tier 4 measures. So I now have to concentrate on creating work to sell online, and develop my services and skills for possible commission.

I’ve got many a painting in progress at the moment which I will complete over the next month, but I am also looking into other avenues to develop and market my work to a wider audience.

I will be spending the next week mind-mapping ideas, getting on with current paintings and developing my website.

The next step is producing more variety of work for Etsy, including offering commissioning services (portraits, illustration work etc).

Challenging and progressive times ahead.

Stay safe and keep creating x

Merry Xmas and hoping for a better 2021…

Have a very peaceful, relaxing and happy festive break.

Whilst taking some time out, I acknowledge the hardships that people are going through at the moment, and not everyone is fortunate to enjoy a safe, relaxing or happy Xmas.

Whatever you are doing, please stay safe.

If you are working over Xmas, I have every respect for you.

Think about picking up a phone to talk to someone you know who is alone at Xmas. Perhaps volunteer at a soup bank, gift some money to a charity or give to a food bank.

Will be in touch with everyone soon. New work to create in 2021 for a gallery (and if it doesn’t open because of Tier 4 lockdown online sales).

Warmest Xmas wishes to you all x

Introduction

duncanthrussellart is the home of artist Duncan Thrussell. This is his business blog and written in first person.

I am a Fine Artist working from a studio in Littlehampton, West Sussex.

I was born in St.Albans, Hertfordshire, studying art and design at University of Hertfordshire, and Fine Art Painting at Northbrook College Sussex. After completing Fine Art degree, I went on to University of Brighton to study Youth & Community Work.

I have previously set-up and run studios/galleries in Worthing, Rustington and Littlehampton; and exhibited in London (Mall Galleries and Chelsea Art Society Open), Worthing, Arundel, Rustington and Littlehampton.

My work is on permanent display at Crafters’ Corner, Littlehampton, and I am exhibiting work at the pop-up gallery ‘Clifton Road Gallery’, Littlehampton.

2020 has been a horrendous year for many, and has resulted in many art events and exhibitions being cancelled. In 2019 I successfully displayed my work at West Beach Cafe, Littlehampton, I hope to be able to do this in 2021.

The artwork that I am publicly exhibiting are mainly landscapes and seascapes. I like to charge my painting with colour and expression, using textures and mark making to explore mediums and my response to the observed environment.

I also create artwork to commission and available for small group/individual workshops.

I’ve decided to create a public blog in order to explore different topics and promote my artwork more widely.

I am not sure how regular these blogs will be but I hope they will be stimulating and encourage me to explore avenues for my work.

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