24hr Art Challenge part 2.
- Thread starter Stanley Edwards
- Start date
At least I have reasonable income ATM! Everything else is going wobbly. Slept in the hammock again last night. Can't do that tonight. Desperately need my keys back but, I can't get in touch with anyone. Very frustrating. However, I've turned my stress avoidance up to maximum. Way to easy to just 'be' here regardless.
Met some really nice people last night and it wasn't nearly as cold. Slept till 12 so, I may well stay out all night tonight if I don't get my keys back today. Saturday nights are busy.
Internet cafe about to close!
Cut short...
--/
A quick explanation about the hammock because it's worth a mention. There is a backpackers hostal here that seems to be run on a very casual basis. Not quite fully legit and run by unpaid staff - a little chaotic and very basic but, a superb view towards the Alhambra and generally a friendly and fun place to stay. I sort of ended up drinking late with people and didn't make it home. Hammocks are usually available at €8/night. A bed in a dorm is €13/night. Bearing in mind that I was paying €15/night for a very nice en-suite with fridge and TV not so long ago that is not cheap. However, I would still reccommend it above all the other backpackers style places. There are hostals and then there are are hostals I suppose.
Met some really nice people last night and it wasn't nearly as cold. Slept till 12 so, I may well stay out all night tonight if I don't get my keys back today. Saturday nights are busy.
Internet cafe about to close!
Cut short...
--/
A quick explanation about the hammock because it's worth a mention. There is a backpackers hostal here that seems to be run on a very casual basis. Not quite fully legit and run by unpaid staff - a little chaotic and very basic but, a superb view towards the Alhambra and generally a friendly and fun place to stay. I sort of ended up drinking late with people and didn't make it home. Hammocks are usually available at €8/night. A bed in a dorm is €13/night. Bearing in mind that I was paying €15/night for a very nice en-suite with fridge and TV not so long ago that is not cheap. However, I would still reccommend it above all the other backpackers style places. There are hostals and then there are are hostals I suppose.
I woke up on the floor this morning. Not a floor in a house. Just the floor. Like the pavement. Not clever at all. Luckily I got away with it. All body bits and bagage entact.
This is tough going. So close to getting it all but, even closer to losing everything. My PC and work tools being in someone esles possesion is doing my head in. Just a PC and a few photography accessories with CD's to the untrained eye. Five years work past and a good deal of future profit to me.
Head's full of shit. I'm getting fucking grumpy with everyone. Went out last night with some good company and just drank and drank and drank. Not good.
Once again I am a genuine artists on the edge. I'm biting my nails. I stink. I look a mess. Probably good for sales this evening
My last resort contingency appears to have failed for some reason. I need big sales quickly.
On the plus side, I just replaced my crap mobile for a fiver. Spent a lovelly afternoon in Alice's gardens sketching for a very good meal and a bit of cash. Good people. I don't have to hang on much longer but, fuck it's hard.
Coughing up shit from my lungs which is a bit concerning. Shoulder is fucked. Very painful and pins and needles. Trapped nerve I think. It's still quite cold in the early hours. Getting warmer though.
Priority number one - STOP FUCKING DRINKING! It's an ugly trap. Has to be avoided. Hopefully I'll sell enough to get a hostal bed for the night. And, just one bottle of beer
Hard. Sometimes very lonely. But, I still love it
And, Villa almost beat Arsenal in their new super delux stadium. Fucking excellent!
This is tough going. So close to getting it all but, even closer to losing everything. My PC and work tools being in someone esles possesion is doing my head in. Just a PC and a few photography accessories with CD's to the untrained eye. Five years work past and a good deal of future profit to me.
Head's full of shit. I'm getting fucking grumpy with everyone. Went out last night with some good company and just drank and drank and drank. Not good.
Once again I am a genuine artists on the edge. I'm biting my nails. I stink. I look a mess. Probably good for sales this evening
My last resort contingency appears to have failed for some reason. I need big sales quickly.
On the plus side, I just replaced my crap mobile for a fiver. Spent a lovelly afternoon in Alice's gardens sketching for a very good meal and a bit of cash. Good people. I don't have to hang on much longer but, fuck it's hard.
Coughing up shit from my lungs which is a bit concerning. Shoulder is fucked. Very painful and pins and needles. Trapped nerve I think. It's still quite cold in the early hours. Getting warmer though.
Priority number one - STOP FUCKING DRINKING! It's an ugly trap. Has to be avoided. Hopefully I'll sell enough to get a hostal bed for the night. And, just one bottle of beer
Hard. Sometimes very lonely. But, I still love it
And, Villa almost beat Arsenal in their new super delux stadium. Fucking excellent!
Cheesy chicken kebabs. Thank you.
New competition:
An English guy has just arrived for a 6 month stay. Last time I spoke to him he was a little bit above me and selling on the street. Not sure how serious he is. Different world. Even told my clients off for not paying enough.
A Belgian guy (seriously very good IMO). Told him all I know. He's a nice guy who needs a few pointers.
A young couple of girls from Norwich. Unfair selling advantage of being two innocent young hippy chicks with incredibly good looks. However, they've disappeared and Sean the crazy street poet from Norfolk (coincidentally) believs they've been grabbed by a cult. Not sure what to make of this but, I half believe him and half think it was an over zealous boyfriend he encountered. Not sure at all. A bit worrying. Well travelled girls for their age but, a little young and hippy susceptible nonetheless. I'll ask around.
Competition is good. It's exactly what I need to make me move up the necessary gears!
Cheesy chicken kebabs are the way forward for cheap fast food you wish you hadn't ate the next day. Delicious but, almost as leathal as flip-flops in the rain.
Fatty chicken dripping with melted cheese. Token bit of green. Wrapped in peta bread then grilled wither side in olive oil.
New competition:
An English guy has just arrived for a 6 month stay. Last time I spoke to him he was a little bit above me and selling on the street. Not sure how serious he is. Different world. Even told my clients off for not paying enough.
A Belgian guy (seriously very good IMO). Told him all I know. He's a nice guy who needs a few pointers.
A young couple of girls from Norwich. Unfair selling advantage of being two innocent young hippy chicks with incredibly good looks. However, they've disappeared and Sean the crazy street poet from Norfolk (coincidentally) believs they've been grabbed by a cult. Not sure what to make of this but, I half believe him and half think it was an over zealous boyfriend he encountered. Not sure at all. A bit worrying. Well travelled girls for their age but, a little young and hippy susceptible nonetheless. I'll ask around.
Competition is good. It's exactly what I need to make me move up the necessary gears!
Cheesy chicken kebabs are the way forward for cheap fast food you wish you hadn't ate the next day. Delicious but, almost as leathal as flip-flops in the rain.
Fatty chicken dripping with melted cheese. Token bit of green. Wrapped in peta bread then grilled wither side in olive oil.
Think the 'cult' mystery has been cleared up. Foolish of me to even begin to trust the perceptions of an alcoholic, crazy, street poet from Norfolk. They're all the same you know.
Shame. Could have been a good story
Shame. Could have been a good story
Last night was a good night. Plenty of sales and it bought home what I already knew. Going against every bit of career advice I've ever received, I'm going to forget commercial website design and marketing altogether. I'm going to drop the holiday venture. I'm just going to do art and photography.
I can sell and make this work. Things started going wobbly trying to complete work remotely on a 30 day invoice basis. I can't manage projects remotely. Nor, clients! Nor, efficient business.
With a reasonable float in my pocket I don't have to worry about feeding nasty little habits like food and sleep. Beer is cheap enough anyway. Time to raise prices again. I've been up all night sketching. Have three or, four large sketches to sell for €30 each. I'll continue selling postcards to keep cash flowing for essentials.
I am seriously up against it mind. Have to work hard. Have to work fast.
I saw the cult kidnapped innocent hippy chick out last night. Looking anything but, hippy or, innocent Knew she was pretty clued up really.
I stink.
I can sell and make this work. Things started going wobbly trying to complete work remotely on a 30 day invoice basis. I can't manage projects remotely. Nor, clients! Nor, efficient business.
With a reasonable float in my pocket I don't have to worry about feeding nasty little habits like food and sleep. Beer is cheap enough anyway. Time to raise prices again. I've been up all night sketching. Have three or, four large sketches to sell for €30 each. I'll continue selling postcards to keep cash flowing for essentials.
I am seriously up against it mind. Have to work hard. Have to work fast.
I saw the cult kidnapped innocent hippy chick out last night. Looking anything but, hippy or, innocent
Knew she was pretty clued up really.I stink.
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
Wow, what a thread!
Stanley what are you like?
Good for you I hope you make it work.
I know that what the self representing artists on ebay do, well the ones that make a decent living. They make limited edition prints, sign them and sell them for a few quid each, then auction the originals for a lot more. Also, of course when you sell a work of art the buyer buys the art, not the rights to it, so always make sure you keep a good quality copy for yourself for licensing purposes (a major source of revenue when you become well known).
When are we going to see any of these works of art then?
Stanley what are you like?
Good for you I hope you make it work.
I know that what the self representing artists on ebay do, well the ones that make a decent living. They make limited edition prints, sign them and sell them for a few quid each, then auction the originals for a lot more. Also, of course when you sell a work of art the buyer buys the art, not the rights to it, so always make sure you keep a good quality copy for yourself for licensing purposes (a major source of revenue when you become well known).
When are we going to see any of these works of art then?
There was me thinking Stan's life was sorted. Keep seeing this thread in my subscriptions but not had time to catch up.
Hang in there mate, sounds like you've had a few tough times recently but as long as you're enjoying it, I'm sure it'll come good.
(Makes note to self to prioritise Stans thread)
I'll charge you for use of me name when you're rolling in it. 
Hang in there mate, sounds like you've had a few tough times recently but as long as you're enjoying it, I'm sure it'll come good.
(Makes note to self to prioritise Stans thread)
I'll charge you for use of me name when you're rolling in it.
Learning to Swim on the Streets of Granada.
Book title is a secret for the time being.
Long thread becuase a lot has happend and I don't have access to my own PC.
Starting with the good news; I've found a lovelly new pen - midnight blue rollerball type of thing. All artists will appreciate the joy of a new pen that looks and feels very satisfying.
Word is out that there is a book on it's way. Not sure how that happend Sketch wise and sales wise I am flying. Prices are up and sales are up. Big time. If this continues I'll be sorted again in no time.
The bad news; Prices are up and sales are up. Big time.
This may well be a problem. Many of the retailers are experiencing very poor sales. One guy who I used to supply isn't even bothering to open most days. He's also a well greedy fucker and his shop is very close to my pitch. He totally blanked me this morning. I suspect this lovelly little pitch is about to get spoiled. Shame, because lots of people know where to find me now.
It's a pitch that is also being spoiled by the number of squatters begging there. This is becoming a big problem in certain parts of the city. From my point of view (and the point of view of proper retailers) they simply scare potential customers away. It's all day long. Constant.
It also proved to much for me to handle yesterday. 36 hours without sleep and loads of work completed. All day long people keep asking for 20 centimos or, a cigaro or, cerveza. It's well fucking annoying.
Last night I sat down in Plaza Nueva (the worst begging site) with a bottle of beer to chill before searching for a bed. A couple of guys from the caves came and joined me for a chat. Then another guy from the caves came along. Full of drunken cheer, big hand shakes and laughs before he took my bottle without asking and then slammed it down on my sketch pads. Beer overflowing everywhere. Two weeks worth of work almost ruined. I flipped. Lost my cool. In English terms perhaps although, here in Spain high volume verbal abuse and a face to face animated, no contact battle is everyday stuff. Still very rare for me.
It's just the guys nature and there was no malice meant. Quite the opposite in fact. I will offer an apology next time I see him but, he should know not to make the same mistake again.
The €5 mobile I bought proved to be a duffer. No surprise there. I am now carrying around three dead Seimens mobiles. I shit on the mother of Seimens. Cunts.
Once I lost my cool I just went off to find a bench to crash on for the night. Not easy to find a cheap hostal bed at the moment. Shit night in every aspect except cash. This is the safest city I have ever known. However, I need to be more careful. Sleeping rough with a pocket full of cash is not a good idea.
I'm knackered. Totally fucked. I have three commissions to complete today by 7.30PM. An early siesta is called for. One guy bought three large sketches yesterday and asked me to complete another two featuring Moorish style decoration and a flamenco dancer and cabellero (spelling?). My Spanish wasn't quite good enough to get the full reason but, I think they're for a restaurant.
Another regular customer wants a sketch from Triunfo Gardens. Very little shade there by day. Could be a tough one. Still it's another guaranteed big cash day. I can see the light. A path to debt free living is now visible.
A few character mentions:
There's a girl amongst the current batch of squatters that cracks me up everytime I see her. Wearing scruffy, very low cut jeans with a very painful looking G-string, she reads peoples palms whilst distracting them and then tells all her mates what that person is about without telling them Class madness in my book.
The uppercrust, nice but, dim Irish painter who isn't so nice and has a very home counties English accent is really getting to me. Tried to teach me all about light sources and perspective yesterday. Then he told me the way I sketch is very bad and then told me off for using felt-tips (very nice Faber Castell sketching pens). He seriously told me he was going to introduce me to a pot of ink! So, I told him the school I went to only had felt-tips and crayons. We were simply just told to 'get on with it'. He believed me. Big apology to my very excellent comprehensive school art teacher!
He then told me he hadn't had a privaledged education. Went to an 'open' public school apparently. Well, I'm not surprised his father didn't waste anymore money. He his the grandson of a very well established plastic products company. You would know the name of I dared to mention it.
English people currently working the streets of Granada:
1. Me.
2. Sean - the crazy, alcoholic (but, trying) street performance poet from Norwich. I like this guy a lot. Very clever. Very witty. Very entertaining for a small window of each day. Very talented trouble maker.
3. A certain Urbanites brother who lives in the caves. Another guy I like a lot. Currently hatting and 'managing' musicians.
Nigel the mega rock'n'roll superstar is still on vacations. In Croatia last I heard.
There are plenty of other english people on the streets here but, they don't get a mention at this point.
That'll do for now. I've already had five cafe con leche's this morning
Must chill. Must sleep. Must work. Must cash.
hiccup said:
Book title is a secret for the time being.
Long thread becuase a lot has happend and I don't have access to my own PC.
Starting with the good news; I've found a lovelly new pen - midnight blue rollerball type of thing. All artists will appreciate the joy of a new pen that looks and feels very satisfying.
Word is out that there is a book on it's way. Not sure how that happend
Sketch wise and sales wise I am flying. Prices are up and sales are up. Big time. If this continues I'll be sorted again in no time.The bad news; Prices are up and sales are up. Big time.
This may well be a problem. Many of the retailers are experiencing very poor sales. One guy who I used to supply isn't even bothering to open most days. He's also a well greedy fucker and his shop is very close to my pitch. He totally blanked me this morning. I suspect this lovelly little pitch is about to get spoiled. Shame, because lots of people know where to find me now.
It's a pitch that is also being spoiled by the number of squatters begging there. This is becoming a big problem in certain parts of the city. From my point of view (and the point of view of proper retailers) they simply scare potential customers away. It's all day long. Constant.
It also proved to much for me to handle yesterday. 36 hours without sleep and loads of work completed. All day long people keep asking for 20 centimos or, a cigaro or, cerveza. It's well fucking annoying.
Last night I sat down in Plaza Nueva (the worst begging site) with a bottle of beer to chill before searching for a bed. A couple of guys from the caves came and joined me for a chat. Then another guy from the caves came along. Full of drunken cheer, big hand shakes and laughs before he took my bottle without asking and then slammed it down on my sketch pads. Beer overflowing everywhere. Two weeks worth of work almost ruined. I flipped. Lost my cool. In English terms perhaps although, here in Spain high volume verbal abuse and a face to face animated, no contact battle is everyday stuff. Still very rare for me.
It's just the guys nature and there was no malice meant. Quite the opposite in fact. I will offer an apology next time I see him but, he should know not to make the same mistake again.
The €5 mobile I bought proved to be a duffer. No surprise there. I am now carrying around three dead Seimens mobiles. I shit on the mother of Seimens. Cunts.
Once I lost my cool I just went off to find a bench to crash on for the night. Not easy to find a cheap hostal bed at the moment. Shit night in every aspect except cash. This is the safest city I have ever known. However, I need to be more careful. Sleeping rough with a pocket full of cash is not a good idea.
I'm knackered. Totally fucked. I have three commissions to complete today by 7.30PM. An early siesta is called for. One guy bought three large sketches yesterday and asked me to complete another two featuring Moorish style decoration and a flamenco dancer and cabellero (spelling?). My Spanish wasn't quite good enough to get the full reason but, I think they're for a restaurant.
Another regular customer wants a sketch from Triunfo Gardens. Very little shade there by day. Could be a tough one. Still it's another guaranteed big cash day. I can see the light. A path to debt free living is now visible.
A few character mentions:
There's a girl amongst the current batch of squatters that cracks me up everytime I see her. Wearing scruffy, very low cut jeans with a very painful looking G-string, she reads peoples palms whilst distracting them and then tells all her mates what that person is about without telling them
Class madness in my book.The uppercrust, nice but, dim Irish painter who isn't so nice and has a very home counties English accent is really getting to me. Tried to teach me all about light sources and perspective yesterday. Then he told me the way I sketch is very bad and then told me off for using felt-tips (very nice Faber Castell sketching pens). He seriously told me he was going to introduce me to a pot of ink! So, I told him the school I went to only had felt-tips and crayons. We were simply just told to 'get on with it'. He believed me. Big apology to my very excellent comprehensive school art teacher!
He then told me he hadn't had a privaledged education. Went to an 'open' public school apparently. Well, I'm not surprised his father didn't waste anymore money. He his the grandson of a very well established plastic products company. You would know the name of I dared to mention it.
English people currently working the streets of Granada:
1. Me.
2. Sean - the crazy, alcoholic (but, trying) street performance poet from Norwich. I like this guy a lot. Very clever. Very witty. Very entertaining for a small window of each day. Very talented trouble maker.
3. A certain Urbanites brother who lives in the caves. Another guy I like a lot. Currently hatting and 'managing' musicians.
Nigel the mega rock'n'roll superstar is still on vacations. In Croatia last I heard.
There are plenty of other english people on the streets here but, they don't get a mention at this point.
That'll do for now. I've already had five cafe con leche's this morning
Must chill. Must sleep. Must work. Must cash.
I stink so much.
Second hand shop is closed and I can't get access to any of my clothes.
I smell bad.
Bought a new pair of cheap sandals because the flip-flops were going to break my neck. Really cheap sandals in light brown immitation leather. Very uncool style. My feet are so ripped to shreds with blisters and sores I may even have to wear socks with them. White socks if they're the cheapest option. I really don't give a shit about what I look like now.
But, I do care that I stink. Swimming baths are not cheap here. There is a small snake and insect infested river. There is a place where totally out of it street people can go twice a week. An early dip in one of the many fountains here would be good but, some bastard keeps turning them off overnight. Or, a bus ride to the hot springs at Santa Fe for a midnight dip with the old skool type hippies.
I'll think about it for another night.
Fuck. I really do hum. If I can smell me...
Second hand shop is closed and I can't get access to any of my clothes.
I smell bad.
Bought a new pair of cheap sandals because the flip-flops were going to break my neck. Really cheap sandals in light brown immitation leather. Very uncool style. My feet are so ripped to shreds with blisters and sores I may even have to wear socks with them. White socks if they're the cheapest option. I really don't give a shit about what I look like now.
But, I do care that I stink. Swimming baths are not cheap here. There is a small snake and insect infested river. There is a place where totally out of it street people can go twice a week. An early dip in one of the many fountains here would be good but, some bastard keeps turning them off overnight. Or, a bus ride to the hot springs at Santa Fe for a midnight dip with the old skool type hippies.
I'll think about it for another night.
Fuck. I really do hum. If I can smell me...
elcuadroentero
New Member
You're telling me!
I can smell ya from here and I'm in Cadiz.....
On a more serious note, got a Lidl's in Granada?
Just picked up their weekly 'specials' brochure....!
They have a number of deals on gel pens and the like, maybe right-up your street, hopefully!! (note:in shops from 31st Aug)
Still looking in, still reading.
Thinking pt.2 has more depth, more character studies.
All power to your elbow!
Up the Arsenal!!!
I can smell ya from here and I'm in Cadiz.....
On a more serious note, got a Lidl's in Granada?
Just picked up their weekly 'specials' brochure....!
They have a number of deals on gel pens and the like, maybe right-up your street, hopefully!! (note:in shops from 31st Aug)
Still looking in, still reading.
Thinking pt.2 has more depth, more character studies.
All power to your elbow!
Up the Arsenal!!!
elcuadroentero said:You're telling me!
I can smell ya from here and I'm in Cadiz.....
On a more serious note, got a Lidl's in Granada?
Just picked up their weekly 'specials' brochure....!
They have a number of deals on gel pens and the like, maybe right-up your street, hopefully!! (note:in shops from 31st Aug)
Still looking in, still reading.
Thinking pt.2 has more depth, more character studies.
All power to your elbow!
Up the Arsenal!!!
Lidls are everywhere. I'll check the Granada branch. Cheers. Glad that you think Part 2 has more depth than the first thread. I'm trying to develop my writing skills for the first draft of the book. Plenty of great characters here. I spend a lot of time chatting with people. Some people tell me a little to much - I met a man with two wives/lives the other day. 'All names have been changed etc etc etc...'.
--
I woke up from a nightmare last night. Must be getting a bit stressed. I was half way through the clumsiest set of karate kicks at nobody before I realised it was a dream. Hope no one saw me. Must have looked a right twat.
Yesterday was not as good as Tuesday on the sales front. Very average. Partly because my Spanish let me down and I had misunderstood the commission instructions. Still came to a price agreement and sold at a healthy hourly rate. And, partly due to the number of travellers and squatters now hanging out on MY bench by MY established sales pitch. Many off them begging. Dogs fighting. Noisy. At least three potential buyers just gave up and walked away. The dogs seem to scare them more than anything.
The restaurant manager is getting particular vexed and I fully understand why. He has to pay tax on the terrace space regardless of whether he has customers or, not. It's completely ruining his business at peak times. The minimarket Ali has a dilema. He makes very good profit on sales of beer from the money begged but, has to mantain support for his fellow business people.
Perhaps they'll move on soon. I suspect action will be taken shortly if they don't. That would be a shame because this is not only the safest city I have ever known it is also the most tolerant. The crazy performance poet from Norwich ("I will now attempt to juggle fire with 500 batons") put on an impromtu fuego spectacular with a few others outside the court buildings last night. About six of them performing some very dangerous stunts. Almost ended in tears and they only made about €4 but, how many other cities in Europe do you know of where that would be allowed to happen in a very busy public space! Why do people abuse that? They'll fuck it up for everyone.
Feel as though I'm wobbling slightly at the moment. Last nights nightmare was due to a lack of safe sleep. I need a good day and a good night in a hostal to recover.
The second hand shop is still closed. I need a clean shirt. Very hot by day. A little chilly by night and all I'm wearing is T-shirt, slacks and sandals. Need to focus on my health. No problem eating. €3 buys a salad large enough to feed a family. Just sleep and hygiene. My ankles are covered in blisters from white mosquito bites and my feet are sore as.
Long day ahead.
No sales yesterday because I simply konked out. Sketching all day. Lots of walking in bad sandals with very little sleep. I sat down in Plaza Nueva at 8pm to paint whilst selling. Kept noding off in the middle of the square. Impossible to keep my eyes open so, I decided to quit and find a safe place to sleep and sell in the morning in Mirador San Nicolas.
Turned out to be a good move. Five large sketches sold already today. My prices are up again. Seems the monied people like an artist who puts his work ahead of personal hygiene. Doing good work and selling at good prices. All I need to do now is charge my mobile to get essential numbers I need to call.
Thinking about taking a hostal tonight for the sake of sleep/shower/shave and phone charging. But, I still don't have any clean clothes to change into. Someone has told me about a day center with showers and second hand clothes. May save the €30 hostal fee and do one more night out. Want to get out of this A.S.A.P.
Not much else to write at the moment. To tired. Off to replace the sketches I sold this morning.
Turned out to be a good move. Five large sketches sold already today. My prices are up again. Seems the monied people like an artist who puts his work ahead of personal hygiene. Doing good work and selling at good prices. All I need to do now is charge my mobile to get essential numbers I need to call.
Thinking about taking a hostal tonight for the sake of sleep/shower/shave and phone charging. But, I still don't have any clean clothes to change into. Someone has told me about a day center with showers and second hand clothes. May save the €30 hostal fee and do one more night out. Want to get out of this A.S.A.P.
Not much else to write at the moment. To tired. Off to replace the sketches I sold this morning.
Lots of tourists about at the moment. That's good for sales but, crap for hostal places. €35 was the best I could find last night. Bought new set of clothes from El Campo (mega store on the outskirts of town). I've also invested in a new watch strap and battery - to test a theory! Discarded old clothes - 24 hours a day for 7 days - M&S's very best wrecked.
A very expensive day. I need to get sketching. Considered it better than sleeping rough for the weekend with a pocket full of cash.
Large sketches are selling. Even though they are almost all of the Alhambra it's a nice size to work with and I'm varying styles so, it's not boring.
I suspect I have a new problem. Went to book into a hostal last night looking and smelling obviously like someone who had just spent a week sleeping rough. Then when asked for my passport I couldn't find it. I know where it is - with the rest of my stuff. Still unaccessable. I suspect the hostal manager reported me. I need to know what the deal is if caught without ID here. Or, if an EU driving licence counts as legal ID.
A very expensive day. I need to get sketching. Considered it better than sleeping rough for the weekend with a pocket full of cash.
Large sketches are selling. Even though they are almost all of the Alhambra it's a nice size to work with and I'm varying styles so, it's not boring.
I suspect I have a new problem. Went to book into a hostal last night looking and smelling obviously like someone who had just spent a week sleeping rough. Then when asked for my passport I couldn't find it. I know where it is - with the rest of my stuff. Still unaccessable. I suspect the hostal manager reported me. I need to know what the deal is if caught without ID here. Or, if an EU driving licence counts as legal ID.
Marketing experiment time.
I have just completed a very 'popular' style sketch in black and gold on quality cream card complete with a fancy protective sleeve in a well used, scruffy, cotton covered sketch book. It says 'MONEY'.
I have bought new clothes. I now wear a quality striped shirt in grey, blue and black (yeh! - I know, very 2004. Nevermind) and some black denim jeans to go with my new brown sandals. I have also dragged my very nice Seiko watch out of the bottom of my bag. Bought a new strap and battery and given it a thorough polishing. My image has changed completely. No one would guess that I hung out with the winos and cave dwellers now
I have also bought a rubber. I'm going to scrub every price in my pad and double it. The sketch I've just drawn is particularly saleable. Puerta de Vino in the Alhambra. Took about an hour. I reckon €60 is a fair price If I get away with this I'll try €120 for the next one.
Saturday night means weddings at the chrch by my regular pitch. Spanish weddings are very colourful and spectacular i.e. a blooming distraction. However, I'm going to give it a go anyway. Looking to smash through the €200/day barrier again this evening. I think it's going to be busy and I'm going to work it till I drop.
Incidentally. In Spanish/Euro clothes sizes I am a 44 shirt, 44 trousers and 44 shoes! Does that mean I'm perfect or, just average?
I have just completed a very 'popular' style sketch in black and gold on quality cream card complete with a fancy protective sleeve in a well used, scruffy, cotton covered sketch book. It says 'MONEY'.
I have bought new clothes. I now wear a quality striped shirt in grey, blue and black (yeh! - I know, very 2004. Nevermind) and some black denim jeans to go with my new brown sandals. I have also dragged my very nice Seiko watch out of the bottom of my bag. Bought a new strap and battery and given it a thorough polishing. My image has changed completely. No one would guess that I hung out with the winos and cave dwellers now
I have also bought a rubber. I'm going to scrub every price in my pad and double it. The sketch I've just drawn is particularly saleable. Puerta de Vino in the Alhambra. Took about an hour. I reckon €60 is a fair price
If I get away with this I'll try €120 for the next one.Saturday night means weddings at the chrch by my regular pitch. Spanish weddings are very colourful and spectacular i.e. a blooming distraction. However, I'm going to give it a go anyway. Looking to smash through the €200/day barrier again this evening. I think it's going to be busy and I'm going to work it till I drop.
Incidentally. In Spanish/Euro clothes sizes I am a 44 shirt, 44 trousers and 44 shoes! Does that mean I'm perfect or, just average?
Didn't quite happen as expected last night. Sat at my usual pitch in my clean new clothes with quality sketch pad and watch. Really looking the business. Only three people stopped to look at my sketches all evening. Two of them were some sort of religious volunteers telling me where I could get a free coffee and breakfast and dinner from September 17th. The other was someone who simply wanted to tell me how to live on nothing and where all the best recycling sites are Talk about soul destroying.
Thankfully an Urban poster rescued me at 9.30pm and bought me loads of beer The weddings were just to big and to distracting. I was just getting in the way most of the time.
This morning went better. One large sketch sold for €40. Previous price was €25 so, a huge improvement. Also sold four small sketches. Think it's time to double prices on the small postcard sketches. I'm still hopeful that I can sell an Alhambra sketch for €60 this evening.
Off for a cheese and apple sandwich with a bottle of beer. Proper artists food.
Talk about soul destroying.Thankfully an Urban poster rescued me at 9.30pm and bought me loads of beer
The weddings were just to big and to distracting. I was just getting in the way most of the time.This morning went better. One large sketch sold for €40. Previous price was €25 so, a huge improvement. Also sold four small sketches. Think it's time to double prices on the small postcard sketches. I'm still hopeful that I can sell an Alhambra sketch for €60 this evening.
Off for a cheese and apple sandwich with a bottle of beer. Proper artists food.
Think my attempt to convince people I am a rich and successful artist is failing. Someone even dropped me a fiver last night
However, doubling my prices has not affected sales numbers. I'm averaging just under €100/day at the moment. Could well just be a lucky week.
Selling stuff on the street at the end of the day is tough going and an obvious 'I'm skint' shout but, it's the only place where regular cients know to find me.
Different sort of painting today - I'm painting and decorating this afternoon. It will make a nice change and it's ready cash. Also have one commission to complete. Another €100 day. Pretty sure I could rely on this given time. Things are going very well.
Off to see future landlords to see if there is any chance of me moving in a little earlier than agreed.
However, doubling my prices has not affected sales numbers. I'm averaging just under €100/day at the moment. Could well just be a lucky week.
Selling stuff on the street at the end of the day is tough going and an obvious 'I'm skint' shout but, it's the only place where regular cients know to find me.
Different sort of painting today - I'm painting and decorating this afternoon. It will make a nice change and it's ready cash. Also have one commission to complete. Another €100 day. Pretty sure I could rely on this given time. Things are going very well.
Off to see future landlords to see if there is any chance of me moving in a little earlier than agreed.
Today went a bit like this;
Went to Mirador San Nicoals early to sketch the Alhambra. Met the posh English artist. Met a guitarist from High Wycombe. Went for a coffee. Took a deposit on one sketch. Went to do some painting and decorating work till 7PM. Took a naked outdoor shower in private gardens with a view of the Alhambra (don't think they could see me). Went into the city to sketch and sell. Doubled prices on postacrd sketches. Sold four. Sat on bench to drink beer and rest my feet. Got asked to sketch a portrait by a couple from Kingston upon Thames on a restuarant terrace. Collected €15 for 15 minutes work and got a free drink, packet of cigarettes and nice chat. Went to internet cafe to post up all the other stuff about today that I have now forgotten.
Total earnings today:
1 x sketch €40
Painting & Decorating €20
Four postcard sketches €20
1 x portrait €15
And, it's only 10.30PM. The nights go on and on and on here. But, I think I'm due a hostal bed. Possibly.
Lots to think about today.
Went to Mirador San Nicoals early to sketch the Alhambra. Met the posh English artist. Met a guitarist from High Wycombe. Went for a coffee. Took a deposit on one sketch. Went to do some painting and decorating work till 7PM. Took a naked outdoor shower in private gardens with a view of the Alhambra (don't think they could see me). Went into the city to sketch and sell. Doubled prices on postacrd sketches. Sold four. Sat on bench to drink beer and rest my feet. Got asked to sketch a portrait by a couple from Kingston upon Thames on a restuarant terrace. Collected €15 for 15 minutes work and got a free drink, packet of cigarettes and nice chat. Went to internet cafe to post up all the other stuff about today that I have now forgotten.
Total earnings today:
1 x sketch €40
Painting & Decorating €20
Four postcard sketches €20
1 x portrait €15
And, it's only 10.30PM. The nights go on and on and on here. But, I think I'm due a hostal bed. Possibly.
Lots to think about today.
Cheesey chicken kebabs are banned. That's the third chance I've given them because they're so fucking lovelly. It's the third time I've woken up clenching my buttocks with a vice strength muscle clench whilst desperately trying to find a bathroom open at 6am. They're good but, not quite worth the pain. Avoid the cheesey chicken things.
A new routine and a new selling formula has developed. I now carry the photo album full of small postcard sketches selling at €6 each or, two for a tenner. A cheap A4 sketch pad with sketches selling from €8 - €28 and the posh sketch book with sketches selling from €25 - €60. Easy to carry around. Easy to put away when police turn up and easy for the tourists to take home. I may have given up painting tiles for a while.
Midday painting and decorating work provides enough cash to cover essentials leaving me free to charge better prices when selling in the evening. Not desperate for cash - not desperate to sell. It doesn't pay well and it's crap work. However, it's in a great house with gardens with an outdoor shower i can use. Good people speaking English, Spanish and German so, I have the opportunity to develope my very basic language skills. And, there's usually food and drink on offer. It's a very convenient gig.
My new black denim jeans are now covered in paint. Worn as turn-ups by day for essential ventilation. Cheap sandals have been 'customised' to reduce blistering. New striped shirt has a dirty great hole in the chest where I fell asleep on a park bench last night with a cigarette in my hand. Tut tut What's that warm patch on my chest? What's that hot patch on my chest? What's stinging my chest? Oh FUCK! I'm on fire.
Saw a guy I haven't seen for a few weeks yesterday. First met him sleeping rough. Someone who has obviously lived hard and bares scars on his face that are most definitely not the result of an accident. Had him marked down as a right shadey fucker. Then a couple of weeks later i saw him working on the street handing out flyers for a restaurant and thought maybe I had totally misjudged him. Then last night I saw him driving a big Mercedes. Has a lot of people selling stuff for him apparently. New scars coming his way I guess.
I'm enjoying life despite the lows. I whistle to myself whilst I sketch. I don't care about anything not worth caring about. Very nice and possibly a little tapped
A new routine and a new selling formula has developed. I now carry the photo album full of small postcard sketches selling at €6 each or, two for a tenner. A cheap A4 sketch pad with sketches selling from €8 - €28 and the posh sketch book with sketches selling from €25 - €60. Easy to carry around. Easy to put away when police turn up and easy for the tourists to take home. I may have given up painting tiles for a while.
Midday painting and decorating work provides enough cash to cover essentials leaving me free to charge better prices when selling in the evening. Not desperate for cash - not desperate to sell. It doesn't pay well and it's crap work. However, it's in a great house with gardens with an outdoor shower i can use. Good people speaking English, Spanish and German so, I have the opportunity to develope my very basic language skills. And, there's usually food and drink on offer. It's a very convenient gig.
My new black denim jeans are now covered in paint. Worn as turn-ups by day for essential ventilation. Cheap sandals have been 'customised' to reduce blistering. New striped shirt has a dirty great hole in the chest where I fell asleep on a park bench last night with a cigarette in my hand. Tut tut
What's that warm patch on my chest? What's that hot patch on my chest? What's stinging my chest? Oh FUCK! I'm on fire.Saw a guy I haven't seen for a few weeks yesterday. First met him sleeping rough. Someone who has obviously lived hard and bares scars on his face that are most definitely not the result of an accident. Had him marked down as a right shadey fucker. Then a couple of weeks later i saw him working on the street handing out flyers for a restaurant and thought maybe I had totally misjudged him. Then last night I saw him driving a big Mercedes. Has a lot of people selling stuff for him apparently. New scars coming his way I guess.
I'm enjoying life despite the lows. I whistle to myself whilst I sketch. I don't care about anything not worth caring about. Very nice and possibly a little tapped
Bollocks. Mobile phone and €500 stolen 
Charged phone whilst painting and decorating yesterday. Withdrew money thinking all I had to do was make one phone call and meet someone to collect my keys. Couldn't get through. Went to bar and played pool (where I suspect phone and cash were stolen). Carried on drinking and visiting a couple of bars. Stayed at a friends. Woke up this morning and realised some cunt had nicked it.
Mobile is a real pain. Only record of numbers I had
Fuck.
Charged phone whilst painting and decorating yesterday. Withdrew money thinking all I had to do was make one phone call and meet someone to collect my keys. Couldn't get through. Went to bar and played pool (where I suspect phone and cash were stolen). Carried on drinking and visiting a couple of bars. Stayed at a friends. Woke up this morning and realised some cunt had nicked it.
Mobile is a real pain. Only record of numbers I had
Fuck.
elcuadroentero
New Member
Shit. Seriously bad news!
Hope you find a silver linning somewhere....!
Hope you find a silver linning somewhere....!
Stanley
Maybe it's time to call a halt to the venture. My guess is that some dodgy characters are watching you and they know that from time to time you have money about your person but are an isolated person with no support network. They see you having a drink or getting sleepy and move in on you.
Twice you have allowed other people to get control over your own possesions when it seems that you were on top financially but it did not last.
Get the hell out of there! You have proved your point. You can survive on your wits but surviving is not enough, you could be risking your well-being.
Hocus Eye - concerned
Maybe it's time to call a halt to the venture. My guess is that some dodgy characters are watching you and they know that from time to time you have money about your person but are an isolated person with no support network. They see you having a drink or getting sleepy and move in on you.
Twice you have allowed other people to get control over your own possesions when it seems that you were on top financially but it did not last.
Get the hell out of there! You have proved your point. You can survive on your wits but surviving is not enough, you could be risking your well-being.
Hocus Eye - concerned
Please don't worry. Perfectly safe usually.
Only I could go out to celebrate being debt free only to end up in a worse position
Pretty sure my bag was emptied of goodies whilst I was playing pool. Very stupid to leave it out of my sight. Still, I have been in worse positions. I have €50 plus work today and someone is collecting a sketch this evening. That will enable me to book a hostal for the night. A very annoying set back that will just prompt me to move on stronger and be more careful in future.
Slept up in the caves last night. It's very dusty and dirty.
Some very exciting developments are developing. Can't mention to much at the moment.
Onwards and upwards.
Only I could go out to celebrate being debt free only to end up in a worse position
Pretty sure my bag was emptied of goodies whilst I was playing pool. Very stupid to leave it out of my sight. Still, I have been in worse positions. I have €50 plus work today and someone is collecting a sketch this evening. That will enable me to book a hostal for the night. A very annoying set back that will just prompt me to move on stronger and be more careful in future.
Slept up in the caves last night. It's very dusty and dirty.
Some very exciting developments are developing. Can't mention to much at the moment.
Onwards and upwards.
I'm well on the road to recovery
However, next time someone asks me to paint the inside of doors brown and the outside white I'd do well to check whether the inside is on the outside or, the inside. Bloody confusing these inside out Moorish houses with indoor courtyard thingies I'd like to tell you I'm joking but, I really am that stupid!
Really don't want anyone to worry here becuase I'm not quite as stupid as I make out (all the time - this morning I was tired and hungover and €5/hour doesn't buy my best attention). I'm looking after myself and enjoying life despite the minor set back. All that time spent on the streets and the only robbery I get is from some kids from the suburbs of Paris on holidaying and trying to pool shark me. I thrashed them big time on the table. They won on the cheating front. Cunts.
Things are changing again. The days are still very hot and the nights are getting shorter. I need to learn how to sell in the dark. That means working the terraces. That takes a lot of bollocks or, a lot of booze. Can't afford to do the booze for two reasons. Financial and wits. So, it's another new, really steep learning curve ahead of me. And, it's an 8am start to paint and decorate with a Spanish painter who likes to talk a lot. May improve my language skills. May send me into dumb, dumb Inglese mode. We'll see.
¡Hasta Mañana!
P.S. Lots going on that I can't talk about. And, I've told I can't shower naked in the outdoor shower. Not the same in your under cacks. Bit like sex with a johnny. Still good but, not as good!
However, next time someone asks me to paint the inside of doors brown and the outside white I'd do well to check whether the inside is on the outside or, the inside. Bloody confusing these inside out Moorish houses with indoor courtyard thingies
I'd like to tell you I'm joking but, I really am that stupid!Really don't want anyone to worry here becuase I'm not quite as stupid as I make out (all the time - this morning I was tired and hungover and €5/hour doesn't buy my best attention). I'm looking after myself and enjoying life despite the minor set back. All that time spent on the streets and the only robbery I get is from some kids from the suburbs of Paris on holidaying and trying to pool shark me. I thrashed them big time on the table. They won on the cheating front. Cunts.
Things are changing again. The days are still very hot and the nights are getting shorter. I need to learn how to sell in the dark. That means working the terraces. That takes a lot of bollocks or, a lot of booze. Can't afford to do the booze for two reasons. Financial and wits. So, it's another new, really steep learning curve ahead of me. And, it's an 8am start to paint and decorate with a Spanish painter who likes to talk a lot. May improve my language skills. May send me into dumb, dumb Inglese mode. We'll see.
¡Hasta Mañana!
P.S. Lots going on that I can't talk about. And, I've told I can't shower naked in the outdoor shower. Not the same in your under cacks. Bit like sex with a johnny. Still good but, not as good!
