First ever full Demo.....

I am visiting an art group on Wednesday evening where they have asked me to do a demonstration rather than a workshop. A few artists I know prefer to do demos as they don't like the teaching aspect of the workshop but as I have always done workshops and I love the teaching bit, I was a bit daunted to hear they wanted a demo, then I thought "they have invited me to go along and talk about "me" and my painting to a captive audience...... how good is that and I actually can't wait now!!"

I will be showing a few techniques, doing some small quick demos and sharing as many tips and hints as I can remember... I know, I know,  maybe I should hold back and not share too much all in one go but I don't seem to be able to help myself, I want them to feel inspired and raring to go, to feel it is all achievable given a little time and of course practice and I may even take some older stuff to prove the point. We will have a break half way through where apparently the members like to have a chat with the artist and view some of their work and then it will be back to me rambling on again!! I will have a microphone and the whole thing will be projected onto a big screen so that everyone can see well... talk about jumping in at the deep end!!!

Anyway if I can get across my enthusiasm and the painting goes well I'm sure it will be fine and I may decide to do more if anyone wants me!! I cannot believe that after having retired exactly 1 year ago tomorrow I am doing this as a job, painting, exhibiting and running demos and workshops....I am working on a commission at the moment, and have just finished another two and although there were no sales at the exhibition on Saturday as footfall was poor and there was a big Spring Fayre at a hotel complex nearby, I got another booking for my workshops and did a bit of a demo for the other artists at the exhibition.

I am exceedingly fortunate to be able to do this and never stop pinching myself to see if it is real!! I always knew it was the best thing to be able to turn a hobby into a  job but never believed it would happen to me and one reason was that I never found out what I really wanted to do, well not until I started painting. I do wish I had come to this sooner but maybe I wasn't ready to do it then but I sure am now!! By the way, am not asking for wishes of luck for Wednesday I am finding if I am properly prepared, luck doesn't come in to it....

"Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail" is my mantra and strangely enough not with anything else in my life (generally wing most things) but most definitely where my art is concerned. I don't ever want to not give my best at these sessions, firstly it is nice to be invited back but second, I really want to "spread the word" about watercolour and painting in general and I can only do that if I can give a good session and motivate and encourage people to give it a go!!

Will give an update later in the week when I have plunged into the deep water to let you know how I got on.....