I have a sneaky suspicion...

...that musicians are, in fact, egotistical arseholes. And this I am allowed to say because a) I was dragged up by one and b) I am dating one.

I have realised it is very difficult to shimmy along to a gig (or in this case, an open mic night) to support someone you know who is performing, without looking like a mindless groupie. On Thursday night I was literally on the verge of politely asking where it was I had to line up to dish out the various blowjobs to 'the band'. Please.

Musos will talk to each other about how endlessly cool they are, and if you are with the band but don't play an instrument, they presume you are a little band sheep/slapper. I admit, I am fairly egotistical at times- you have to be if you really want to make it in life. But I am also incredibly humble to people who deem me a good artist. Because I am grateful whenever someone bothers to come and look at my work, or sends me a message telling me to keep it up. It is lavely.

My hackles quite literally come a-rising, however, when I am made to feel like a groupie. In fact, why should anyone be seen as a groupie? I am talented in my own right thank you very much, and I am here to support those who have supported me.

The clincher was probably when we were leaving. A chap in the band I was with knew a singer girl (who shall not be named, because I'd quite like to pull out her teeth). The other two members of the band, and myself, met her for the first time at this event. Upon our departure she gave each guy a big hug and a big 'Ohmygodweshouldsototallymeetupanddo musicstuffohmygod'. Coming to me, I began the arm-out-stretch, presuming (foolishly, apparently) that I would recieve similar treatment. Oh no. I got a pat on the arm and a quite patronising 'Nice to meet you'. Charming. Now perhaps she was just being a bit of a bitch, lets be honest. But it felt more than that. It felt like a 'Oh, you were here too weren't you. Like their cheerleader'.

I managed to hold my tongue. Until now.

Victorious at the Fabrika Gallery Competition

So, as sad and tragic as it may seem to you, I was horribly giddy when I was voted as the winning artist at the Fabrika Gallery Open Exhibition. Mainly due to the fact that the last time I won some sort of vaguely arty competition I a) was 6 years old and b) won a £5 book token and c) had made a (admittedly awesome) Christmas mobile of Santa and his reindeers. So yes, winning a two week exhibition in the Nottingham branch of The Art Organisation Gallery was pretty darn cool if I do say so myself.

I admit I could probably have handled the situation with a little more finesse. I looked a little more like a babbling red faced idiot rather than a suave, icy cool arteeest. Typical. When my victory was announced I was so shocked I just giggled like an imbecile (not sexy or mysterious at all), and when some man shouted "Speech!" I replied with "Urrr.....thanks!" How articulate I am in pressured situations.

I went even further when later a gaggle of people were gathered around my winning picture, Lightning Bolt, and some dude asked me what it meant. I replied "It's a girl on a board." Nice. I am sure he went away feeling artistically fulfilled.

Because of course, she isn't just a girl on a board. She is an awesome chick having a ball, doing just what guys do as well. She's effortless, she's sexy, she's brilliant. It's what I try to capture in all my portraits of girls, because essencially, men just aren't as good as us. We are awesome.

So long live Lightning Bolt.

Ru

Art shows and tha'

So this year I have managed to crank up four exhibitions so far....(exclaimations of excitement please!!)
I am currently exhibiting in a joint art show in Fabrika Gallery in Leicester, and in July I will be exhibiting along with other artists from all over the world in the Drawgasmic Show in The Mad Art Gallery, St Louis, USA. Sounds sexy non?! View my page here http://www.drawgasmic.com/artistpage.php?a=1121and click the link below to visit the Drawgasmic site, and if you're a native US of A-er yourself, and St Louis is not too far, go and see the show! (The date is yet to be confirmed, so I expect you to sit waiting avidly for an update. You may have toilet brakes.)


Big love,

Ru