Artist Damien Hirst returned the bag of Onion Rings that I sent him (Ungrateful bastard)

Weekly Art Practice, issue 68 | The Outsider Artist known as SLART.

NEW HERE? WHAT'S THIS WEEKLY ART PRACTICE ALL ABOUT?

Every Saturday, I share my art practice. I'm captivated by the process, not just the finished pieces but everything from influences to materials. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at an artist's world.

[If this masterpiece is too long for email, you can read Cream of the Crop in Substack. Or download the Substack app.]

Hold your horses, Damien, I’m just kidding. The parcel didn’t get delivered, probably because I sent it to your company address, and a 52-year-old accountant called Andrew, who likes cycling, wearing a suit and tie, rejected it. So, Andrew, I blame you. Dear Reader, if you have Damo’s address, please post it in the comments.

What Damien Steven Hirst may have said.

Do you have his address by any chance?

…Or maybe he got pissed off that I called out his middle name “Steven”? Steven is a great name, nothing to be ashamed of there, Damien.

To get over the rejection, I sent Adam Buxton and Edith Bowman a double pack of Oreo cookies with an exhibition invite.

This is an insight into my ADD mind.

1. I hear Adam Buxton on the Ministry of Arts Podcast

2. I’ve known his work for years. He seems to be down-to-earth on this episode, and he’s an artist, too

3. I Googled his postal address (Of course I don’t find anything)

4. But, He comes up via the BBC Radio 6 website, as he has a show with Edith Bowman

5. They have a listener’s postal address

6. I sent Oreos to that address.

This is all done within about 2 minutes.

Erm, what else have I been up to?

Oh yes, I invited Jenny Eclair and her husband Geoffrey to Mememnto Vivere. She’s an artist now, as well as a UK TV personality (I heard her podcast episode from the Ministry of Arts), and her hubby runs an art prints business. There couldn’t be a cooler, more arty couple to invite. I just remembered seeing her and her daughter in the Guggenheim in 2009, but I was too shy to say hi. Check out the podcast below…

I bought a Heath Kane print, it’s an interesting one… What do you think? It’s featured in Bob Osborne and Carrie Reichardt’s incredible book, Cash is King 2, where a group of artists create art on and with various forms of bank notes. It’s inspirational. I’ve bought an old note to paint on myself.

Do you want to buy one? You can have 10% off using my special link.

The Art B.R.U.T open call has now closed, so I get to sift through some wonderful outsider art over the next week. Are you coming to the opening? 16th June 6-8pm.

I had a lovely conversation with

C. James Desmond

. It was his first time interviewing someone, and I’m sure you’ll agree, he did a fantastic job! I arrived about 15 minutes late, but James held the fort brilliantly. (Toddler tantrum issues — my daughter, not me!)

In the video below, you’ll also get a mini studio tour, as I connect to the Substack Live session just before arriving. I even began an artwork for my upcoming exhibition while chatting, something I usually find difficult, as painting is typically a solitary pursuit for me. You’ll also get some great insights about creativity from

C. James Desmond

!

Have a watch below, there are some gems in there…

In other news, I’m part of an exhibition “The Culture of Dying Matters” (Very Apt for Memento Vivere) at the Swindon Central Library through to May 10th. If you’re around, check it out.

Peace at last by SLART.

Above and below the piece are the accompanying words, which you can read in this post if you wish.

It’s nice to have the opportunity to share art in poignant settings such as this. I will pop along and report back ASAP.

There’s one more thing I couldn’t bring myself to talk about last week. On Saturday, 26th April, we had to say goodbye to our dog, Bruno. I’ll be writing about it in a separate post soon. 🐾

Take care, everyone.

Memento Vivere: Remember to Live.

Have a great Saturday.

Best wishes,

SLART.

P.S. One more thing, could you please leave a 4 or 5-star (Hopefully not 1,2 or 3) review on my SLART Google page? Just trying to level up my online game and get my art in front of more eyes, and this small, straightforward, and swift action would be immensely beneficial. Cheers!