Kerto's blog

Soon Christmas!

2011-12-20T14:58:00.000Z

So it's nearly 2012! Can you just believe it!??!? Now as I have ONE follower I feel I need to update that one follower... (you know who you are!!!!) :) Only joking, but honestly I still find it hard to actually remember to blog regularly.
So much has happened in 2011 I don't know where to start, do I have to? Maybe not as I'm not really a great one to write long articles as you might have noticed...!?
The most important thing about 2011 is perhaps finding a full time permanent (first ever!) job which I absolutely love! How does it compare to being self-employed? Well there are the good bits and the not-so-good bits.....but I feel really happy at this point in my life, as everything seem to have fallen in their place(es)...I feel I'm in the right place at the right time doing exactly the right thing! I hope the New Year will bring similar (if not better) qualities in my life!
Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

My mini blog

2011-09-12T19:54:00.000+01:00

Hiya, well once again it's been absolutely ages since I last blogged...
I guess I prefer something shorter. You might like to read my 'mini blog'? :)
That's it for now, sorry so short but if you do have any questions, I am sure you'll find answers in the link above ;)
Ciao!

Update

2011-05-23T18:01:00.000+01:00

So what has happened since the last time I've posted a blog?
And yes my contract with RSPCA has now come to an end which was actually extended til 17th of May so I had 7 months with them which I must admit, I though-roughly enjoyed!
So that makes my current state: unemployed!
However, all is not lost as I do (really) hope that I will get the job I applied for and have been interviewed twice...fingers crossed!
And another thing: there's been a noticeable change in my levels on inspiration recently...
I feel I want to create once again! It may sound strange but for the last 8 months I haven't felt an urge for creating anything! I will let you know how I get on once I've got something show for. Oh hang on, I DO have something to show! This is my latest T-shirt design I did a couple of days ago and they are available from Redbubble.

Anybody need an html e-mail designer???

2011-03-22T19:45:00.000Z

Hiya!
We have a saying in Estonian: "A lot of water has flown into the sea!" meaning: such a lot has happened during...
Well I think it's fair to say more has happened in the past few months than in the past few years! Life as a 9-5 office 'rat' couldn't be more different to a freelance artist/photographer! Yes, Ok I must admit, there are the joys of getting paid at a certain date and not having to worry about where the next penny is coming from! BUT...and there's the big but......I guess you know what I'm trying to say, so I don't really need to spell it out!
Whichever way I look at it all.....I can't stop myself from wondering what's waiting for me around the corner!??!?! VERY interesting times indeed!
My contract as an e-marketing communications assistant at the RSPCA has been extended til the end of April now, so as from then, I have no idea, what I'm going to do!
So if you do know of any 'arty' vacancy anywhere, you will let me know won't you!? ;o)
Thanks in advance!

It's about time....

2011-01-11T21:57:00.000Z

I said Happy new year!!! Sorry it's a bit late but as they say: better late than... :o)

Well, such a lot has changed in my life in 2010, so much so that I don't actually want to look back, I'd rather put my eyes towards a bit brighter 2011(hopefully!).
Currently I am in the middle of learning how to juggle my current full time job and art...not as easy as I thought, but having said that, not impossible!

I have also been asked to do another demo/workshop in about 4 weeks time, this time on the subject of composition. I am strangely enough actually looking forward to doing it, despite the nerves that are already starting to kick in quietly...the subject is vast and time limited so I need to use it wisely! Well, I'll let you know how it went [that's if I survive it...OK, you're right, perhaps I am exaggerating a bit ;o)].

Once in a lifetime...

2010-09-30T10:04:00.001+01:00

Yes, this morning was one of those...I am still mesmerised by the beauty of the misty fields covered with dewdrops and sunshine trying to get trough the thickness of the air...with added background noise of the rush-hour traffic. I went out to a nearby field where I knew I could get some lovely misty shots, but what I didn't realise was that I wasn't there on my own!!! Having only just managed crossing this little stream, I could cross it due to a few very wet and slippery slimy smallish boulders, I grabbed hold of the first thing I could reach on the other side to help me across...which happened to be a very stingy nettle! The pain was quickly forgotten though as I realised that I had entered into a horse' territory!!! I have avoided such confrontations before now, but this time I thought, no, I am not going back!! I could see him about 100 yards away, through the mist, he kept walking towards me...I wasn't quite sure what to do as this was the very first time for me to be 1:1 with a horse without any barriers whatsoever...so I started talking just to appear confident! Strangely enough I wasn't afraid this time...we kept walking towards each other until he reached me...I stroked his nose and head and neck and back....we felt at a total ease with each other!! WHEW!! I was so releaved!!! From that point onwards, we walked together...he followed me everywhere as I was relishing and capturing the moment of total freedom!

The end.

Changes

2010-09-23T09:40:00.000+01:00

Well folks, as the title suggests, there are a few changes that are taking place in my life right now...
I have been talking about the bad economic climate for artists for some time now, and the truth is, no, I can't survive just on my art any more. Simply because one just can not rely on a possible sale...therefore I've decided to get a 'proper' job and continue with art but as a hobby. And yes, of course it's sad but I feel the time is right for me to move on and find a graphic designer job. So if you know any such jobs going, please let me know ;o) Thank you!!!

Back from Cornwall

2010-07-21T09:25:00.000+01:00

It was the first time for me to visit this delightful county...and the weather was good too! But what I would really like to share with you is this: having had a few days totally cut off from civilization, (so much so that even our mobiles didn't work in the area we stayed in) I had TIME to think about everything and re-value the things I do daily and how I do them; what value people in my life really have...etc. etc. etc. It was a bit weird to get used to the idea that you can't do any of the things you would normally... watch telly, surf the internet...can't send a text to a friend...but you CAN go and sit on the cliffs edge and listen to the waves crashing into it! You can go and walk in total wilderness and let the wind blow all the cobwebs out...you CAN think about things that REALLY matter in your life... the only thing is: are we ready to HEAR what our inner most being is telling us??? Our minds are so used to 'relax' and take the back seat and never spring into action which is a result of civilized debris.... I could go on forever as I feel really vitalised and refreshed after 5 days of 'wilderness', but I'll save you from it for now...
I will be putting some of my holiday shots on Flickr soon, so you can check them out later.
Til then: remember to take the right steps to the right direction!

It's all over!!!

2010-06-29T11:30:00.000+01:00

What is all over??? Horsham Open Studios for another year! The preparation for this event has been going on since October 2009 and we are all feeling the effects of it...as the main big arty kind of event in the district, everybody tried their hardest to 'be ready' as it were. And was it worth it?? The answer can only be 'yes'! As how else are artists suppose to raise their profile and make themselves known in the area!??! As for me, I am very happy with the outcome. But I must say, in these tough economic times, the trend to buy smaller and cheaper works of art is so very noticeable! I did land a commission as well, but what came out of it all was that I need to advertise myself more! And I will! But for now, I am going to concentrate on doing some paintings of local scenes and Horsham as quite a few people were looking for a picture of Horsham, and I have only got 4 varieties and 2 of those are of Causeway!

Horsham Open Studios

2010-06-07T15:40:00.000+01:00

It's this time of year again for Open Studios event.
I will be opening my studio for anybody who would like to see where and how I work...please feel free to come in!
Venue: Drill Hall, Horsham
(First floor, up from the metal staircase to the left of the building)
Open: 2-6 pm
For more information about the other venues and artists taking part, please visit www.horshamopenstudios.co.uk

1 April

2010-04-01T10:23:00.002+01:00

I can't believe how quickly time goes!! Just realised it was over a month ago since my last post!!! There's something I've wanted to tell you for weeks!
I know this doesn't come as a surprise as I've done this before, but still I thought you might find it amusing: for the last exhibition, once again I submitted 5 paintings, which didn't exist yet! On the form I had to specify the title, medium and the price! So I did...and then a couple of weeks later I started painting them! So why couldn't I do the paintings in time and then submit them?? Haaa, that's because while updating the exhibition dates on my website one day, I suddenly realised, hang on, the submission date must be sometimes soon...so I went for a hunt to find this piece of paper/application form...and yep, sure enough the date was TODAY (on that day I found the form!!!) As it was 5 pm, I really didn't have much time to think about what pictures to submit (as you're not allowed to show anything that's been shown there before), so to make life 'easier' for myself, I just quickly browsed through some books in hope that there are some pictures that would inspire me...and luckily, there was! So 15 minutes later, I was on my way to drop the newly filled form off. To cut the long story short, one of those pictures sold and I got enough money for yet another month's rent for my studio...we'll see where the next lot will come!! These times are very hard for artists...

My new looking website

2010-02-21T22:27:00.004Z

Well here it is then! I have been working quite hard over a couple of weeks to get it right and to serve as site which is easy to navigate and easy to the eye too. I will be adding some more content soon but I just wanted to upload it today as from tomorrow I will be doing my 9-5 studio challenge! Let's see whether I can manage one week 5 full days in studio, painting?? Well with my lifestyle it would be pushing it at the best of times...but I'll give my best shot and then I'll let you know how I got on!
kerto.co.uk

My very first demo/workshop

2010-02-07T20:29:00.008Z

So this time again to get on with blogging...so what's happened this week? Something I haven't done before! I've never been the one to stand in front of people and talk, especially in a foreign language!!! So I was facing two giants at once! But having said that, I've always known I have got to do it! I have to face my fear and overcome it by doing it! There is NO OTHER WAY out! And I was really expecting for the nerves to kick in at the last minute, but surprisingly, they never did! Which is quite amazing!!!
Two days before I was due to speak , I eventually sat down with pen and paper and wrote it all down...yes just 2 days before! I knew I was going to do it for a few months, but I couldn't let my friends down by starting to prepare too early! No no nooo! That's not me! Everything has to happen at the very last minute! I guess I was so well aquainted with my subject matter ("How to get every colour under the sun with just three primary colours?") that I didn't even have to look at my notes while presenting it! All in all I am well pleased with the outcome...and as they even asked me back, it couldn't have been that bad!! Oh and if you're interested in the talk, you can read it here: http://www.kerto.co.uk/limitedpallet.html

Lomps.co.uk

2010-01-31T17:09:00.003Z

Yes, OK I do realise there's still masses of work to be done to the site, but I simply couldn't resist giving you the first peep... As I've been thinking about it for sooo long, (since 2008 I think) finally I have something to show! lomps.co.uk

Keeping myself up to date...

2010-01-24T16:39:00.008Z

Well, nearly managed to draw every day into my visual diary...there has been a few days where I've simply forgotten to do it! You can see my this week's pick here:

http://www.kerto.co.uk/VisualDiary2010/23Jan2010.jpg

Oh by the way: I am going to do my very first demonstration on 4th of February! I've been asked to speak/demonstrate to about 20 art lovers...I am still undecided what exactly I should talk about but as it stands at the moment I will be showing them how to mix every colour under the sun with just 3 primary colours: red, blue and yellow! It's quite a fine art, so I hope they'll have fun trying it out! Wish me best of luck!

NEW! FREE 2010 desktop calendars

2010-01-23T19:07:00.008Z

I thought this would make a change from the visual diary, you might like to have a look at the other designs as well here: www.kerto.co.uk/1680x1050.htm

Still sticking to my new Years' resolution...

2010-01-17T16:09:00.003Z

I have been keeping the visual diary going as promised and here is the next 'lot' for you to see: http://www.kerto.co.uk/VisualDiary2010/13-15Jan2010.jpg
It is becoming more and more difficult to choose which ones to show you, so this time I actually couldn't select the best one, but three! It made a nice set, so I just left it...
But what else is going on you might wonder...well, as the economic climate for selling art is as bad as it can get, I had to come up with something that would bring in enough to pay for my studio rent etc. So last year, at the end of October I started my very determined search to find out ways to earn online! I was ademant I would keep looking until I found something...and I must say, I think I have! So the painting has taken the back seat for a while, but it won't be long until I'll start again as I feel the inspiration starting to creap in again after doodling my diary every day...
So until next week, remember this: good things come to those who wait!

First Visual Diary pages...

2010-01-08T19:14:00.006Z

Well, as promised, I have kept up my visual diary every day...although, I must admit, there was 1 day when I didn't feel too good and I just wrote a few words about how I was feeling, not quite the idea of a visual diary, but hey.
And then I came across the next problem: which one to choose to show you at the end of the week?? Tough one as they are all so very different! This week I chose 2 as I couldn't make up my mind which one was 'better'. So here it is, just click here to see it.

Oh, almost forgot: I have also uploaded my first FREE drawing lesson!
Click here to download it!

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-01T18:33:00.007Z

I do realise once again I haven't blogged for a 'century', but that's about to change! As everybody makes new years resolutions I thought, I'd make one as well...not just because I need to make one, no! But because I need some discipline in my life! I decided to start keeping a visual diary (EVERY DAY!) and then upload the best one of the week here to my blog! That's if you're interested.....aaand if I manage to keep it up of course!? we'll see! But I thought it'd be something different. Also I have a plan to offer free online drawing tuitions, they will appear in written form on kerto.co.uk under FREE GOODIES. I thought as drawing for me is the basis of it all and having been taught to draw properly most of my life, I'd pass some of the knowledge on to you.....so watch this space for further info!
Until next time...next week that is! I PROMISE!! (I even put a reminder in my phone each week!)

My T-shirts, photos and calendars now available from redbubble

2009-10-03T11:29:00.006+01:00

I missed the deadline...

2009-10-01T10:32:00.002+01:00

...to the Cranleigh Art and Craft Society autumn exhibition? How careless of me! The entry form got 'filed' to the pile of paperwork to be sorted...and forgotten about! Can you just believe it!? And then coming back from Estonia, 2 weeks after the deadline, I found this piece of paper...OH NO!! As it's quite important show for me as I've always sold very well from there, I was really quite upset about missing out on this one...oh well, next time!
That's how we learn: the hard way!

New Paintings

2009-08-14T18:03:00.005+01:00

I tend to work best under pressure...don't know why, but every time I find myself squeezed by time, my creativity sort of kicks in!
I needed 3 new works for the Association of Sussex Artists Exhibition...didn't have much time (as I tend to leave EVERYTHING to the last minute!!) only 2 weeks to be precise! I found a few unfinished paintings and decided to work on those, and see which ones come out best and submit those...(my usual practice tends to be- submit a form with a list of pictures: names, medium and price BEFORE I've even started painting them!) beneath are the three I ended up with:

Couch potato

2009-06-23T16:09:00.000+01:00

This is my latest addition to the "Lomps" series

Exhibition results...

2009-05-26T19:41:00.005+01:00

Well, I certainly didn't expect to sell 8 pictures, but that's exactly how many I sold. Great isn't it! Although people tend to go for the lower value items, but hey, it's better than nothing at all!
I am currently working on my next Lomps picture which should be ready in this week. I really love challenge, but sometimes it seems, to come up with the right idea, an awful lot of brain storming...BUT it's all gonna be worth it in the end! So I keep my eyes and ears peeled for any ideas from real life and people around me :o)

Rising mist

2009-04-30T19:43:00.004+01:00

Just finished this painting today, it's coming up in Horsham Paintings Groups Spring Exhibition 14-16 May 2009

in Old Town Hall, Horsham
OPEN: 10-4.30 pm
(10-4pm on Sat.)

Rising mist
Originally uploaded by kerto.co.uk