Seasonal newsletter
Hello all,
It’s my end of the year – throw everything in – email… I’m dropping balls all over the place which can only mean that it’s Christmas. Hope everyone is as well as they can be and that downtime and rest is possible (note to self). This mail is a quick sum up of art happenings and mentoring news with some exciting projects ahead for 2025. For those of you that are following my ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign to raise monies for my suicide awareness project, the pitch to Arts Council England will be submitted in the next few weeks. The amount raised stands at £2,750 which is amazing and will count as match funding for my grant application. Thanks a million to those who donated, it’s helped me immensely. More details here
Current and future exhibitions
If you happen to be in Lapland I have a huge drawing in a wonderful show there in Galleria Napa, Rovaniemi. The show brings together contemporary drawing from all over the world – link below. I’m on the wall next to some incredible artists so it’s a huge honour. My piece is a liquid charcoal drawing of a bee- the memory of a bee from an encounter earlier on this year when we kind of communed with each other. I loved that bee and made several pieces of work from this experience which I shared in my last newsletter. The exhibition runs from now until 31stDecember.
In January I’ll be showing a drawing and a giclee print in Lisbon at an exhibition called Shadow/Sombre at Forum Grandela in Benfica from 24th Jan to 21st Feb 2025. The show explores shadows through mythology, psychology and literature gathering work from 12 international artists who dive into these themes within their practise. ‘A Cartology of grief’ (below) is an image of a drawing on fabric which maps a somatic exploration of my grief journey through the visible and invisible. A linear work made with and in water. Many thanks to Olivia Hicks for inviting me to be a part of this show.
Solo show at Brighton Art Space 28th Feb to 2ndMarch 2025
I’m excited to be taking over two floors of the wonderful Brighton Art Space with current process work towards an exhibition in Newhaven in 2026. This will be mostly installation based pieces and smaller prints and drawings. No name for the show as yet but the work explores the colour blue as a vibrational energy linking memory, spirituality and immersion in nature as vehicles for grief healing. You will have seen my feed on Instagram entirely saturated with ultramarine blue. It’s holding me suspended in a creative hyperspace, come see the show where everything may make more sense..
some blue things happening.. see pics below
Mentoring and teaching news
My mentoring practise has exploded this year, and my cohort is full until late Spring 2025 which is amazing. I’m also mentoring for Offset Projects in Milton Keynes with an initiative called Arthouse which champions under 25s gain confidence in their art practise after leaving further education. In April I’m freelancing pt with Team Domenica , a fantastic charity helping people with learning disabilities navigate internships and placements in Brighton.
I’m still teaching practical oil painting but currently have no space, there is a wait list if anyone is interested.
Flowers for Freedom
My floral drawing fundraising initiative runs until mid-January 2025 when I’ll be donating monies raised to War Child UK. Please see my website for remaining available drawings, I’ve raised around £200 already which is great. I’d love to donate more, the purchase of a drawing at £220 enables me to donate £55 to this much needed cause. Please share with any interested parties. Link below to my website
https://www.carriestanley.co.uk/artwork
Available drawings pic below. Middle row far right now sold.
I also have a few seasonal offers available on original works via the above link – all works under £1,000 at studio prices. This piece below is one of my favourites from my solo show earlier this year.
Will – o – the – wisp 110 x 110cm oils on linen £750
That’s it for now. Keep in touch via email or Substack. I wanted to end with a massive thank you for following or supporting and to everyone who has bought work, is a past or current mentee and who recommends me to others either as an artist or mentor. I feel truly blessed to be following this path even though it’s very hard at times. As my work continues to grow and evolve, I’m realising how important people and communities are to my practise. Creative healing is at its core and that’s where my energies will continue to go.
Huge hugs
Carrie XX
Pics : Will -o-the-wisp, Flowers for Freedom drawings , blue things in the studio, ‘Cartology of grief’ print for Shadow/Sombre exhibition, Bodie our new pup ..
