Looking back on BEAT 2017

Well the BEAT  2017 , Ealing Open Studios was I think largely a positive experience for me - a great opportunity to talk to new people about activities around Photography and other creative endeavours - really appreciated that some of my friends came to see me (Thanks so much to Norman & Sandra, Nick & Susana, John, Nev and Ed).

Planning is worthwhile

I was able to use some of my knowledge from an earlier  CityLit course in terms of planning how I displayed my Photos' which was good.

Ladies who look

Also great that Tim Layden (my co- conspirator from earlier in the year)  had some of his work on show and was able to come down and be part of the 2nd w/e.



It was incredibly kind  of Viv (and Greg) to invite in a few of us 'Waifs and Strays' to share her space.


As well as people I know there were loads of people who were obviously talented in many ways - some top notch photographers and people who just like being part of the whole event.

We have a general meeting of the BEAT participants and a party to look forward to - I'm hoping that we can get more involvement from other parts of the Borough it feels currently like Acton, Greenford and Southall  are under represented and we need edgier stuff as well as  more younger people too.

Nice that some exhibitors became visitors this year too.

Ealing Park Tavern- A varied menu and plenty of time to chat 

I'm genuinely excited when someone wants something I've done and when one guy wanted a card (just £3.00) I almost paid him rather than received it.

A Meal at the Ealing Park Tavern on Sunday evening was a super way of celebrating the whole experience.

Getting set for BEAT 2017 w/e 2

Well the new improved Open Studios in Ealing (BEAT) is starting up again tomorrow and one of the refinements that's been added is the chance for participating exhibitors to open to each other - on Tuesday we were able to welcome a handful of  people which was rather nice.

Also it was rather nice to see John Kaye coverage in Ealing Today supplemented with some mention of the younger participants including yours truly in one of his fetching T-Shirts (a right old Trompe-l'œil).

If you get the chance do visit venue 57 and you'll see Doors, Utilities and more Red images than you can shake a stick at as well as some framed and hung prints (at giveaway prices).

A Couple of my pictures

Banners in the Borough

Sporadic - BEAT 2017 w/e 1

So the Sporadic here is more about me than the event which would better be described as Steady.

Gordon Road sign

Whereas my Blogging of late is Sporadic, this could of course be a good thing -anyway more on that later.

Back to BEAT 2017, the second of Ealing's Open Studios.

Photo's on show

Last year Mandie at the Orchard Café took a number of lost souls under he wing and by and large we had quite a jolly time - this year those nomads (or most of them) are finding a temporary home in Gordon Road with Ceramicist Viv Phelan  one of the originators of the event.

Ceramics -A Granddad who lost his wife
(she was sold)

I suppose the main thing that I get from this and other chances to show my photo's is a chance to talk about what I do and also engage with what others do - this year (weekend 1)  there was a fantastically wide selection of personalities - some with there own views and some who just came to look.

Gordon Cookson - Wood-turner 

In main Tim Layden is absent as he has taken a new teaching post in Milton Keynes but he's planning to be around for w/e 2 (Saturday and Sunday) - having got to know Tim a bit (and exhibit with him as half of the 2 Tims) I'm happy to speak a little about his work but it'll be nice to see him talking about it.

2 old 'So & Sos' make a nice present

Of course it's nice to sell prints too but (oddly) I feel a bit sad now when they go (although of course I can reprint).

and away

I'm away for a few days - when I'm back it'll be for some time at the shop opposite Poundland in the Ealing Broadway Centre - it'll be this year's BEAT Pop Up (Ealing's Open studios) -last I noticed was at the end of the year/start of 2017 when it was trading in Calendars.

It looks like a black hole - but not for long

And what it's opposite 

And my planning process

Seems a good place to park it.

£300 now

Ealing arts - BEAT 2017 get your applications in ..(79)

Tim Layden talks to visitors  

Last year had a genuinely lovely experience as part of the first Ealing Art Trail - got to spend time in a nice venue with Tim Layden, Gordon Cookson and (the near legendary) John Kaye  -at the Orchard Café in West Eaing (Thanks Mandie).

We're not sure that the same chance will be on offer this year but would encourage people with work to show during the two w/es and to get involved.

Here's all the stuff you'll need..

John adds up his takings

Gordon - There's a season (Turn Turn Turn) 

£102 20

THE BOROUGH OF EALING ART TRAIL

ealingbeat.org.uk

Follow on:

facebook.com/ealingbeat/

instagram.com/ealingbeat/

twitter.com/ealingbeat/

Doors

The West End wander continues

I used to work in this street (at No 48)

A flavour of 'Art Deco'

Looking, Pictures and Portraiture and (67)

I tend to take photo's of my own volition so the other day I was asked to take some pictures at a fund raising event it gave me something to 'focus' on.

And what I found was that taking pictures of 'people' in a room is not so easy - brief was not that specific but I did not wish to spoil the fun or be obtrusive.

I'd been looking at taking more pictures of people and it was part of a submission I made for some funds - yesterday as I crossed the Millennium bridge I saw a well matched couple and thought they'd make a good subject as I proceeded I saw what (I thought) was another photographer with the same idea but as I got closer I realised I'd been a little naive.

The photographer was directing the models (for that's what they were) - anyway I got a picture I quite like (see below) it's of the people but it's hopefully a little different.

Oddly framed and interrupted 

Another picture of a person that sort of works

And they call it Art.

£86 is a nice round number

BEAT Local Art Trail 2017 version

Website for 2017 version of the  'Studios' Art in Ealing Trail (BEAT)  is now live and features a couple of pictures taken by me (2016) in the Mosaic of images there - Gordon Cookson (Turner) and Dr. Tim Layden (painter).

Doors

So less than 300 to go and 'Hey' I used to live a few doors down (tree names are popular for roads round here).

A close I lived in

A door that's not quite right and one of those 'No leaflets' labels