This is often a rather busy time for my studio. To list a few activities here, there are; framing of work for new submissions and shows, finalising printing arrangements for cards and greetings cards, social media and updating the website. If there is time, it is also so important to get out there and see galleries and shows, to learn from other artists.
My own cards for example, go out in the first week of December this year. ( If you would like to be added to the mailing list, or would like a card sent to you, use the website to message me and this will be my pleasure, it can be easily arranged of course).
Ensuring the progress on multiple projects and thinking of “launch” dates for these, takes some consideration. One such project is the ongoing development of the carob bean font. This has meant working toward a new font and producing a digital font from original drawings of carob beans. ( More can be read about this on my website the collection tab “posters, postcards and prints”…Alphabet).
Above ; are carob beans and the formation and drawing of a uppercase ‘A’, whilst below; is a poster size drawing of the emerging lowercase letters.
On top of this there are plans and planners to work with, for the ongoing improvements to the studio. This is partly for the workshops and study sessions starting in 2026, as well as to optimise use of space and materials for myself. A studio revamp for the new year, where discussions for collaborations can take place and to which visitors and interested buyers can see the working studio. (More to come on this will be featured in the new newsletter).
Lead times become really significant. I know how important it is for buyers of my art work to have them delivered on time. As I have had recent experience of this during the Easter holidays. This specifically required some attention to logistics as everything closed for the holidays. In the end the work was safely delivered on time, to an important buyer. I understand the extra pressures of this if the work is being gifted to someone.
Approaching mid November and there is much to get ready from the studio this month. In the USA the Thanks Giving holiday is fast approaching. Then there are the considerations of many different cultures; The Immaculate Conception, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas Day. St.Stephen’s Day, Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas on the 7th January. So globally, as we enter this part of the year there will a great deal of planning across many diverse cultures.
The greeting cards, postcards and posters all require fine tuning. The selection of paper and the credentials of the paper must all be weighed up. To ensure that cards are ready and up to the standard that the corporate clients require takes precision and a listening ear, something that I have done more and more frequently.
Above are some examples of paper types such as Hahnemuhle that I discuss with suppliers in addition to selecting paper to work directly on which may include Fabriano or Daler Rowney Depending on what I am working on.
As many artists are well aware, colours and materials for the reproduction of our work must be front and central. I wrote about this from a slightly different perspective in a blog on this site more than three years ago.
https://www.ivangrieve.com/blogs/news/my-colour-and-your-colour-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder
Here are some images which exemplify the point, the correct colours are on the left on each occasion, so matching sample from proofs is really important.
Finally, apart from getting out and about in the seasons in what ever nature has to throw at me, whilst I keep my visual landscape journal going, there are new materials to explore. I adore every element of each season as they flow by. This year my daughter suggested using marker pens to work with. It is so good to get out of one’s comfort zone and learn something new. Below you see a marker pen piece describing seasonal pomegranates, alongside a landscape using found pigments and initiated en plein air.
So a busy time for all, thank you taking the time to read this blog, any questions or points of discussion just drop me message through the contact form and I shall be happy to help.
