Free Art Day in Bristol

So today I was inspired to make a drop for free art day in Bristol. The whole idea appeals to me becaue I paint for my enjoyment rather than to be commercial so passing that enjoyment onto others has a real feel good factor about it.

My first issue was in selecting a painting. It had to be something on canvas and not too large so I had a quick shufty through my ever growing collection and selecting this painting of the Somerset levels.

This was painted around a year ago based on a photo I saw on twitter on the Flooding on the Levels Action Group. I tweeted the photographer asking for permission (always good etiquette) which I received in minutes (hooray for social media) and I completed the painting in around two hours. It was posted on twitter with a link to the photographer who very kindly retweeted and reposted. It was then picked up by loads of other people and became my most popular post on twitter ever (I am a lite user). So many had liked it I thought it might appeal to the populace of Bristol.

I stuck a business card on the back, wrapped it in bubble wrap and put a note on the front inviting the person who found it to take it home and enjoy it for free. At 8am I left it against the railings outside the fountains on college green and carried on my merry way to my meeting. For 5 minutes I stood the other side of the green and watched 12 people walk past not even noticing it stood there. A little down-hearted I walked away resolving to pick it up at 6pm when I returned on my way back home but it had gone!

So some lucky person has my painting. I hope they visit this site (using the link on the business card) and leave a message. Whoever got it, I do really hope that you enjoy it. If not to your taste then I hope you pass it on to someone else or leave it in a free art drop yourself.

If you too are interested in joining a free art day then all you need is a painting/drawing/sculpture, wrap it up and leave it somewhere public for a stranger to find. Let’s all spread some art around the world.