Recent Interviews

How did you come to join SEOS?
I was approached by one of the committee members while doing a local show. I was two years out of college at that point.
My mother always went round SEOS but I didn’t think it was something I would do until I was made aware of it. Then I looked and I thought why aren’t I doing it?
One of the others I was showing with decided to do it too. We were going to share a studio together but she needed to be at her own studio. She was showing her Fine Art Photography but is also a studio photographer and was hoping visitors would decide to have portraits done.
I wanted people to come to my space. The equipment’s interesting and unusual.
I work in small outbuildings so I could work and stop when visitors arrived. I decided to display all the work around a patio area in trees, gazebos and on plinths. In the sun it was lovely. It was a nightmare when it rained.
I now have five umbrellas on hand to lend out to visitors if needed. This year I will add that it is an outdoor display to the Guide entry so visitors know not to come in the rain.

Do you have a safety problem with the glass?
It’s not safe to have visitors actually inside the studio. I don’t feel comfortable; there is glass everywhere. Footwear would also be an issue. I don’t even let my family in without the right shoes. Families with children in flip-flops……!

Do you work during SEOS?
I need to keep working.

How did you find the first SEOS?
I corresponded with my Area Coordinating Officer by phone and e-mail. You felt you could approach her if necessary. There are lots of other artists in my area who I met which was really nice. I met other glass artists which was brilliant. It’s a solitary occupation and I rely on my London based college friends for my art network. It was good to talk to people and talk kilns and swap catalogues.
I didn’t have any pieces under £50.00 the first year and lots of people wanted to buy something, but less expensively. I did get a commission.

Year two?
I made paperweights which I had never made before. I only make them for SEOS. I also made light pulls. Everyone who came bought one and I now sell them through the Sevenoaks Art Shop as well. They use up all the waste glass I had no previous use for.
I am reluctant to waste time doing something I am not trying to develop, but it was good that I had to think small for a change.

What is your usual practice then?
My current practice is Fine Art original pieces sold through my gallery in Fulham. I am also designing a range of blown work made at their studios and finished by me. Recently the gallery took some of my work to Chicago which was great. I also do commissions. So- I am very busy. It’s hard to keep the standards high.

Anything to pass on from the second year you did SEOS?
Small bits to buy. I had a bargain bench last year with good seconds. The public were thrilled and could buy large plates that would have cost them £90.00 for £30.00- because of a bubble.
Also I didn’t do as many days, nor did I do Saturday AND Sunday. The first year it was too much. Some days were very quiet with maybe four visitors and I got fed up. The second year I had a lot more people on each day and I was happier to stay in.

Any commissions that year?
I did get commissions and a gallery in Dover found me through the SEOS Guide and asked me to show them my work. Another spin off was the discovery of a cheap printer who I now use for invites. He contacted me through the Guide. He keeps the cost down by sharing print runs.

This year?
I am thinking about finding a bigger space. I don’t expect to make loads of money but I know I will network and make new contacts. Because it’s so private I am looking forward to letting people see what I do. Lots of my friends who have never seen my studio will come. Commissions go straight in and out and most of my work is now in London and I hesitate to ask people to go there to see it. I don’t have a private view but I offer visitors a drink – I have been known to drink a fair bit of the Pimms myself on a sunny afternoon!

Many thanks to Lucy for sparing her time.

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