24 Hour Art Challenge?

[Stanley Edwards]

Tried doubling prices and nothing happend so, I reduced them again very quickly.

Sold just two paintings yesterday. Not good for a weekend. Barely covered costs nevermind saving for the week ahead, new supplies and clearing hostal debt. Doesn't seem to be working again

Returned to hostal last night a little stoned to say the least. Let some poor woman babble to me in Spanish for a good five minutes. Just listening to her, thinking this is great, I can actually recognise some of the words.

''Si, si.
Comprendo, comprendo.
Claro, claro.''

Then I realised I hadn't actually understood anything. Translating the words is one thing. Translating them fast enough and putting them in the right order is another. She didn't seem to impressed and this morning I was told they had double booked and they have no room for tonight. I suspect that has more to do with other hostal debt.

I plan to rough it for a couple of days and then rent a room in a private house by the week. There are lots available now most students have left. €50/week. That will save me loads.

Must sell. Sell, sell, sell.

 

[jms]

Still very up and down isnt it?

But youre still cool

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Still very up and down isnt it?

But youre still cool

Like a fucking rollercoaster! The financial bit his hard enough but, the mental highs and lows are vulgar. I like life that way

Set for a long night. Looks like Spain are returning to their pre-cup friendly form (crap and undecisive) so, a win tonight is unlikley. I was hoping to catch a few punters on the up.

Tiles and sketches. That's where the money was. It was the police confiscation that distracted me. A good display of tiles and sketches sells quickly but, is hard to pack away in 10 seconds. It's a risk I'm going to have to take. Paintings are just to slow.

I've just worked out the figures for the past four months. I'm losing just over €100 a month on average but, improving. Have to clear my debts and start making good money again.

TILES and SKETCHES. It's fucking easy really. Don't know how I lost my way.

 

[hiccup]

Could you attach all the tiles to a piece of elastic, in turn attached to the inside of your sleeve, so when the fuzz turn up, with a swift flick of the wrist, all the tiles disappear pronto...?

Or, you know, something.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Could you attach all the tiles to a piece of elastic, in turn attached to the inside of your sleeve, so when the fuzz turn up, with a swift flick of the wrist, all the tiles disappear pronto...?

Or, you know, something.

I have a very nice design for an elasticated, self-retracting, customised photography rucksack. I'll build it soon and show a series of demonstration time lapse photos. Very, very, cool it will be.

 

[Paul Russell]

I guess if you are sitting there doing a "proper" big painting, easel and all, it always attracts tourists/nosy people.

If anyone seems interested and the coast is clear, could you then discreetly/Arfur Daly/Del Boy style whip out a suitcase of tiles and sketches?

Like the painting is the advertisement for the tiles/sketches.

Tiles and sketches. That's where the money was. It was the police confiscation that distracted me. A good display of tiles and sketches sells quickly but, is hard to pack away in 10 seconds. It's a risk I'm going to have to take. Paintings are just to slow.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I guess if you are sitting there doing a "proper" big painting...

Like the painting is the advertisement for the tiles/sketches.

That is pretty much what I'm doing. No hard sell. Just put a few paintings on display and one price so people know they're obviously for sale. However, I'm going to go commercial. If I'm risking losing stock I might as well mass produce cheaply and go for big sales and more profit. Pointless risking losing four hours work for the same money.

I know what sells here and I'm really only interested in the money at the moment. I nice room is available for just €150/month inclusive. Enough time to find my own place and save plenty of cash. I'll be saving €400 on hostal fees alone!

I'll still sell sketches as I sketch them mind. Not a total sell-out

 

[jms]

edit

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Fucking rain.

I have a budget for the England game but, I was planing to stay out tonight. Could really do with a sale. Really difficult to sell in the rain for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps I should carry a small stock of painted parraguas from the sell everything shop.

This is difficult. Sleeping rough means carrying as little as possible. I don't even have a coat with me at the moment and it still gets cold by 5am. The city concrete holds the heat for most of the night. However, there is still snow in the crevises of the Sierra Nevada peaks. When the wind comes from that direction it's a bit of a shock.

A serious temptation to say 'fuck it' for a day and get rat arsed. Very, very difficult! There is a very horrible trap to be avoided here.

Off to Bib-Rambla to see if any of my old regulars are still around. A few 'patrons' would always buy a sketch if they passed by.

I've been spending abit of time with people who many would consider down and outs or, losers or, simply lazy twats. I now know the score for where to get free clothes, free food and coffee etc. At the moment pride alone is holding me back but, if it's going to save €5/day... don't know. The dilema for me, if I'm brutally honest with myself, is that the €5 I save could well become drink and my social life would be with all the other alcoholics on the streets or, in the caves. Many nice people who have just given in to drink for different reasons.

This is dangerous terratory for me. I like me drink a little to much when life gets tough. And, it's a very cheap 'switch off' here.

A little self-discipline. A simple thing for some. Not for others. If you catching posting pissed here at any time other than Thursday, Friday or, Saturday nights after 8 TELL ME OFF!

 

[Paul Russell]

Yeah -- sorry, probably stating the bleeding obvious!

What happened to the camping plan BTW?

Good luck with it all...

That is pretty much what I'm doing. No hard sell. Just put a few paintings on display and one price so people know they're obviously for sale.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Camping plan is on hold. I need to buy a tent and the campsite fees are more expensive than some cheap hostals

Taken just €10 so far today Things are not going well at the moment. I do have a huge stock of sketches to sell. I build stock when I'm not doing anything else and then spread them out and flog them at two for €5. Usually attracts a good crowd and helps to sell paintings. Must remeber to carry some sort of throw with me tomorrow if it's not to windy.


Went to sleep in the park last night in order to save money. Sleeping in lush parks just after a thunder storm here at this time of year is not a good idea. My ankles are covered with huge blisters from some weird fucking alien insect. Won't be surprised if they all spawn baby spiders tomorrow. My ears are covered in mosquito bites and my left hand is so swollen I can only use the index finger. I quit the park at about 1.30am and booked into a hostal.

I have two good paintings that just aren't shifting. Have no idea why.

Was treated to a very good healthy meal by a couple of Mexican friends today. That was really appreciated. One of the most enjoyable mixed salads ever. Salads are not generally good here.

Another point worth a mention; the police told me I wasn't allowed to take a siesta at Mirador San Nicolas yesterday. Tourists can. Especially very attractive ones but, not street people. Not breaking any laws as far as I know. Cunts.

Parque Federico Lorca is even patrolled by police on little Piagio scooters. They wait until everyone is sunbathing on the grass before fizzing along on their peds with blue lights flashing 'Get off the grass or, get nicked'. So fucking funny. Has to be the most embarassing police job here.

Will try and sell at least one more painting tonight. If I don't I may well go on some Van Gogh inspired three week bender instead.

 

[mrkikiet]

Will try and sell at least one more painting tonight. If I don't I may well go on some Van Gogh inspired three week bender instead.

no post today, does this mean there won't be one for three weeks?

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

no post today, does this mean there won't be one for three weeks?

Yeh, I'm a bit worried TBH. He's fittin in with the street people a bit too well. I hope he has an escape plan if everything goes tits up.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

no post today, does this mean there won't be one for three weeks?

Quite possibly.

A slight improvement. I took €12 today but, only after a very painful 30 minute small talk session with the old gay guy who buys the church pictures. I was desperate!

Big financial trouble now. I'm falling into deeper debt. I do have very good stock but, the heat is putting punters off by day (tomorrow is going to hit the 40's so I'm told) and night time selling is difficult to say the least. I need a good pitch with good light.

Off for a bottle of beer and last attempt at selling for the day. Most probably roughing it tonight so, more severe insect bites tomorrow. I will need a shower and a visit to the second hand clothes shop. Unless I just disappear for three weeks.

The really BAD thing is that I'm still having a fantastic time

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Now I'm not having such a fantastic time. Shagged. No bed last night so, decided to fiesta and party through the night. I'm to old.

Good fiesta but, the party up the hill was a bit light a bonfire, flashing lights agianst a drape on the wall and stick a German techno album on. Very little drinking, smoking or, illicit subsance usage that I noticed.

A few Spanish musicians put up a brave percussion fight against the techno and won over the vast majority of people there but, the techno people seemed oblidged to keep refilling thier generator regardless.

Didn't really enjoy it that much because a) I was already shattered. Now I'm fucked and shattered. b) I have a very painful trapped nerve in my shoulder. c) I'm just to old and bored with pansy, pretentious MTV squeaky clean style sort of illegal raves that aren't a rave. And, d) My Spanish is still to weak to communicate in noisy environments.

Sold bugger all yesterday. Some guy from a shop wants to buy more stock on Monday though and I did sell two small paintings very cheaply early this morning. I still need to collect a further €60 today to get back on track.

A lot has happend this week. To much to list here now. Got moved from my regular pitch in Plaza Nueva by the police. No confiscation this time. An old English guy I know got beat up walking home from watching the football. Other English people here living in the caves got quizzed on the street and one held overnight. Met lots of new people. Lots happening. Also met an Irish guy who's staying at the wonky campsite that is not that wonky afterall apparently.

Off to crash for a few hours some where. Totally fucked. Should have been doing this 20 years ago.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Beautiful Sunday. Blazing sun with a refreshing breeze.

On the not so beautiful side I woke up somewhere Skint and hungover. Totally trollied last night. Loads of good people and a great time. Went to Parque Federico Garcia Lorca this morning for a light kip and a contemplation.

Think I met the most beautiful person ever last night also. Again. That happens regularly here


Almost four months in (I think). I am nowhere nearer moving into an appartment than I was at the start. I have debt that is niggling me. On the plus side I have learned loads. Met loads of great people and made some good contacts. I'm also having a fantastic time (mostly) and in the grander scheme the debt is a manageble sum that actually represents good value for what I have experienced and achieved. However, it must not get any bigger. So, from now on, until further notice, I'm staying in a hostal for two nights a week only. Plenty warm enough to stay out now.

I have bought a large photoalbum that I am filling with small postcard sketches. Selling as I go and hopefully filling it completely within two weeks. That's 200 sketches that sell easily for €3 a go. €600 potential.

I am also completing small tile paintings for the shop to buy tomorrow. And, I have three canvas paintings that are proving difficult to sell. I'm simply going to double the prices and lug them around until they eventually sell.

I want to clear all debt within three weeks and find a flat within five weeks. This is achievable.

I also want an agent to recognise my financial potential and rescue me. She will manage my life for me and I will just spend all my time photographing and sketching and an occassional socialising at exhibition openings. That would suit me very nicely thank you. Where do you find such people? I'm fed up with waiting for them to find me

 

[ddraig]

nice one senor p! good luck

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Finally sold the three paintings I've been lugging around for over two weeks now. Thank fuck. A painter with paintings that don't sell is perceived as a not good painter. Keep stock rotating and you must be good.

Actually sold them to a guy with a pseudo-antiques shop. I suspect they're being aged with nocitiene and stuck in old gold frames as I write. He isn't going to say they are antique. In this city the fact that they look older than america is enough.

Have to get up early to complete five tile paintings tomorrow. My photoalbum of sketches is no closer to being filled - they sell as fast as I can sketch. There are just two more in it this evening than there were Saturday morning. I have actually sketched about twenty since then.


I should tell more about the characters I meet here. So, a quick mention for the performance poet from Norfolk. Very likeable character whose heading to oblivion. Very clever, very entertaining, full of energy whilst he's pissed. Huge potential being destroyed by booze. Same old story.

There are so many hugely talented people here. Many are wasted. I think I've met two who have what it takes to actually make it work. The rest will stay here forever or, drift on or, fall down.

A few of the english guys in the mad valley (there's a posh valley of caves and a mad valley of caves. As well as many other valleys of caves) have been forced out by a totally schizo maniac with an iron bar. They're now roughing it in town. Usually sleeping under the many temporary stages that are currently standing for a music festival. Seems iron bar weilding nutters get what they want in the mad valley.

A small flat is avialable for €250/month for July and August. That will do for me until I'm properly sorted. Need cash. Must work. Long, long days!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

A quick visit to the Mr Ben like secondhand shop. Very nice sort of chocolate coloured chinos and a french blue polo shirt with cream and sky blue bands. I like these clothes they feel lucky.

I have found five perfectly sized tiles to paint for the shop. All I have to do is sit and paint all day at Mirador San Nicolas. No street selling involved so, no need to worry about the police (although I will be leaving my album of sketches on display). Should be a relatively straightforward and easy €50 day. Something is bound to go wrong.

Good free entertainment everyday at the moment. Some big music and musical performance festival. Quality stuff.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

Hey, Stan, you still alive out there?????

 

[Paul Russell]

No posts for a couple of days...

Where are you Stanley?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Still here. Trying to make contact with someone re a studio appartment and failing miserably. Think she's off to the UK tonight so, I may well have missed the boat on that one. Plenty of rooms available for July and August whilst the students are away mind.

Fantastic free concerts here at the moment. Last night I saw some traditional Moroccan 10 piece in the grounds of a beautiful old palace by the river Durro. Magical.

I've also been meeting loads of good new people (and getting to know others better) and partying a little (hence the lack of posts).

An Italian guy here very succinctly described what it is about Granada I like so much. 'You don't need a phone' he said. 'You just go out and meet your friends because you know where they will be'. This is very true. It's a city of many characters and people tend to be very, very sociable wherever.

The daytime peace of the Albycin (very laid back and almost soporific as someone else described it to me). But, a great community feel. Everyone looks out for each other. By night it's a lively buzz of bars and music.

Zaidin is an up and coming suburb with a more 70's/80's architectural look and great views back to the city.

The Gothic Quarter or, city centre is a mix of old and new with fantastic little squares where friends gather by night. A Sunday morning walk through this part of town to Gran Capitan will echoe with practising musicians from the nearby university of music. Also lots of little workshops where carvers carve bits for church restorations. I even came a cross an old guy making custom leather belts. 60 years of experience and craft in a belt for €20 - I'm having one.

Chana is a fairly modern suburb with a very modern european feel and a great lively and vibrant community. I like this part of town a lot.

Triunfo/Astoria is rich with students normally but, unusually quiet now.

Relajo is another popular area.

Beautiful city, beautiful people, beautiful way of life. A bit more money would be very nice though!

 

[Paul Russell]

Right on cue!



Glad to hear things are OK.

Still here.

...

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

It's ALIVE!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Very alive thank you


My tile skip has gone. I need to hunt for some things to paint on this morning. I was planning to buy a watercolour pad and set of watercolours but, I ended up selling my last two tile paintings to a regular client (minimarket Ali) for a fiver each plus two bottles of beer. So, after a healthy breakfast and not so healthy pack of cigs I have just €9 in my pocket.

I have to make at least €60 today. Don't have a clue how I'm going to make that much yet. Sure some skip or, something will turn up. Perhaps I could ask the carpenters in Gran Capitan for a few MDF off-cuts. They would be perfect. Actually, that is a bloody good idea. Why didn't I think about it earlier?

If I don't find the woman renting her flat out today I'll be spending a night up in the caves regardless of how much money I make today. The hostal I stayed in last night was a bargain last minute booking. Prices are to high at weekends now. Friday again already. Can't believe how fast the weeks are passing.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I collect keys on Sunday morning

A small little studio appartment with nice patio in the heart of Albycin. Perfect for two months.

In order to pay for that I need to rough it/party it for a couple of nights. Shouldn't be a problem.

I have just two paintings (and lots of sketches) to sell this evening. Spent a very lazy day doing very slow painting in interesting and beautiful company today. Very nice but, not very productive. May try doing some paintings of terraces by night later. I want to generate a bit of partying and boozing dosh.

Started supplying another shop. It's all beginning to build up nicely. However, I am bored stupid with painting the Alhambra. A bit bored with painting. I want to get out with my cameras and move my photography forward. More than anything I want to go and photograph Casablanca. No idea why. It's just calling me to photograph it

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

YEH! I won't worry about you half so much if you have a steady roof over your head.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

YEH! I won't worry about you half so much if you have a steady roof over your head.

You really don't need to worry about me. I'm big and ugly.

Just had my portrait painted by a professional artist I am big and ugly. I've seen the evidence. Nice guy here who paints mostly figurative stuff. Caught me painting this evening and decided to paint me painting. Real artist I look as well. Complete with no hair cut for two months fuzz and artists hat sitting on a wall besides the river

Should be looking for a party now but, I feel a bit like enjoying my own company and contemplating stuff with a cheap wine instead. Perhaps a walk into the mountains. That appeals.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

You really don't need to worry about me. I'm big and ugly.

So am I, but people still worry about me.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Oh dear. Think I've let meself go a bit in the knowledge that I have a flat come Sunday.

Two litres of beer followed by two litres of vino tinto! I feel and look like utter shyte today.

Spent the early hours in a park with some very cool young french folk. Clever guitar players just beginning a travelling holiday. Got moved on by police. Climbed into Sacramonte and got a couple of hours sleep outside a very nice uninhabited cave. Woke up at about eleven on a bench in the city centre

Just tried a cafe con leche and tostada de tomata covered in very garlicy olive oil in an attempt to find life. Hasn't quite worked. Local radio played Swing Out Sister (a Madchester tune apparently ). I'd completely forgotten about them. Then played 'Like a Rollong Stone' by The Stones. Very, very apt but, not what I wanted to hear. Then Allan Parsons Project - 'Eye in the Sky'. Very strange radio station.

So, how does it feel, to be all alone, like a rolling stone...?

Feels utter shyte this morning.


Something that has really surprised this 40 year old wise fool recently is how much I learned from a couple of hours conversation with a very interesting 20 year old yesterday. Very beautiful also. And, very independent. We are never old enough to know it all and only young enough to want to learn it all for far to short a time.

Utter shyte. I'm off to do some really bad painting

Oh, and the drunken street poet from Norfolk found a wallet with €100 in it yesterday. That guy is blessed. Found him feeding a fledgling pigeon from his mouth yesterday afternoon. I'm not sure if he's full of good intentions gone awry due to booze or, if he's just a pocket picking wrongun. He's an entertainer plus some that's for sure. Shame he can't get it together enough to make it work proper.