March 2024 Retrospective
Inside an Artist's March: Massive action, wellness and gratitute.
This post is too long for email, you can read the entire post here on Substack.
I have been doing a retrospective since October 2023 as a way to reflect on the month, and for you to get insight into my life in a calmer, gentler way than looking at reels of me walking the dog, or of every meal I’ve eaten posted on Instagram. It’s a self-contained retrospective so you don’t get distracted on social media. It’s also somewhat of a diary for me, so I can look back and laugh in the future. I thought it might be interesting to a reader to hear about an artist’s life, as I would have loved to hear more about what Jean Dubuffet got up to day-to-day, the meals he ate and the mundane things he did.
March has been a month of recovery, moving forward powerfully and some much-needed rest.
Thanks for checking out my March!
Let’s go…
March 1
My dear friend and soul colleague
kindly reached out and supported me with my illness. She inspired me to eat a clove of raw garlic per day with a spoonful of humus, I find it delicious and you can feel it working. So warming! Thank you Beth for looking out for me.
March 2
The second of March was the day when I felt inspired to contact galleries and art shops regarding collabs, knowing that it would be beneficial. I have done this before, but the rejections hurt!
I posted my Weekly art practice today
March 3
I submitted my work to Castle Fine Art today, I went to one of their galleries in Birmingham. They’re a very professional, commercially focused gallery. It had a good vibe.
March 4
I submitted some work to a gallery in Newbury, a few junctions east on the M4 motorway. They have some open calls I may consider.
March 5
Cute doggy photo:
I had a lovely and supportive email exchange with a curator from Bath.
March 6
‘Stack dropped today…
March 7
I watched a little bit of Dragon’s Den for entrepreneurial inspiration. The lovely Sara Davies is pictured below.
March 8
I started putting my portfolio together. Here’s a photo of it.
March 9
9th Edition of Weekly Art Practice:
March 10
Artist Cindy Shaoul with some truth. So, so true! Read the article here.
March 11
Another bit of art wisdom. I can’t remember what site it was from.
I popped into the studio to take some photos of this piece, then I can list it for sale.
March 12
My artist friend Rory Walker said I look like this Chechen Warrior today. He’s right, I do.
March 13
Posted a Substack today on ‘knowing’
March 14
After being off sick for much of January and February, I'm back at work now. I'm grateful for the convalescence period and am finally feeling like myself again today.
March 15
Friday, a shorter day at my day job today. I worked a bit on my Substack during my break. Lovely to come home and see my daughter and give her cuddles.
In the evening I started framing some signed prints ready to go to a local cafe art exhibit. I’m pleased with how they’ve turned out.
March 16
I decided to change the titles of my weekly art practice and put them in the subheading. Maybe it makes it more interesting.
In the afternoon, we started packing for our holiday to Spain next week!
March 17
More packing, parents out there know that packing takes twice as long with a one-year-old!
I started having a look at Art Galleries in Malaga online, we’re 100% going to the Picasso Museum!
March 18
The first day of the holiday!
Our hotel looks very nice. The flight went smoothly, my baby was very chilled during the flight.
March 19
Beer and Shandy on tap. #Blessed.
March 20
It’s nice to discover art on the walls of the hotel.
‘Stack on one of my fave films: Limitless (2011)
March 21
We had a lovely day out in Malaga. Of course, my highlight was the Picasso Museum. Enjoy the video slideshow I created below!
March 22
We had a little trip to the Shopping Outlet in Malaga, we have the same brand of shopping mall around the corner from us in Swindon, so as boring as it sounds lol, it was interesting to see how they laid the place out. It was all outdoors, which suits the Spanish climate!
I came across a British Artist’s Sculpture here: Nic Fiddian-Green.
March 23
Weekly Art Practice 11.
Time to slow down
Every Saturday I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I'm fascinated by artistic practice – it's not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist's unique approach shapes their work, making it more than just a finished piece.
March 24
Baristocats messaged me on Instagram and said they installed my art display in their cafe today. I think looks cool with the borders!
March 25
A little day trip to the Sealife Centre and walk around Benalmedina. I had the best Burritos ever.
My daughter loved the sensory beach at the Sealife Centre.
March 26
We had a nice walk up the coast after breakfast, with beautiful mountain scenery opposite the coast. Then a relaxed day at the hotel.
March 27
Check out my post on Montaigne, Memento Mori and Malbec.
Embrace Life, Embrace Death ⌛
Author’s note: This essay was also published on Soaring Twenties who are a wonderful group of writers, artists, idlers and flaneurs who all share the value of creating and sharing meaningful art. There’s too much crap churned-out content on the internet, especially now with AI copywriting.
I had a lovely snooze on the sun lounger with my baby.
March 28
On the last day of the holiday, it was raining in Spain, always a good time to leave when the weather turns.
At Malaga Airport, I spotted beautiful artwork around the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Terminal.
March 29
Back home from the holiday, refreshed. Lots of washing to do, then a nice Indian Takeaway in the evening.
March 30
Published Weekly Art Practice 12 today! Enjoy!
Ready to have fun in The Art World
Every Saturday I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I'm fascinated by artistic practice – it's not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist's unique approach shapes their work, making it more than just a finished piece.
I took my baby Swimming today, but the centre was closed! I missed the info saying it’s closed for Easter.
March 31
It’s Easter Sunday today and we’re enjoying a family lunch with my brother and his family. The same brother who donated his left kidney to me. What a legend.
I hope you’ve had a wonderful March too.
Love to you all,
P.S. Please share for positive karma:
I loved seeing your photos, Steve. And i'm glad you're feeling better. For me, March was the month of reflection on the past year (the Persians celebrate New Year on March 20), prepping for holidays, buying new clothes and writing New Year resolutions. I'm sure April will be a great month for me.
Can you do some more articles about your thoughts or perspectives on a specific art that you like the most for a period of time? For example, in March you accidentally saw an art you liked and you showed your thoughts about that painting? My point as a reader is that I want to understand art more deeply. Thank you so much!