I should really start with an apology to Charming Baker, I’m not too good with RSVP’s, essentially he invited me to the opening of his latest show tonight, and as usual I dithered (to the max). I said no, I said yes, and now I’m afraid it’s a no once more, still I”m sure he won’t notice my absence, this artist is becoming something of a cult in both graffiti and fine art circles in the UK and I’m sure the gallery will be packed. Still I do hope my copping out doesn’t lose me too much of his respect. The fact is money’s tight, real tight, bills are pouring in and my digital print sales aren’t doing too well, what’s more I have laid out so much dosh on printing equipment recently I can officially declare myself brassic for the short to medium term. With the train fare to London and back for me and my partner I doubt I can muster up the spare cash.

Still I’m sure there are someone out there in London who’d love to gate crash the opening so here’s my invite, just make sure to lavish Charming with praise and if possible front up some cash for one of his spectacular paintings, prints or even limited edition cakes (you heard right) and all should be well in the world. If he asks who you are say your name is Paul Baines, at least one of you (and friend) will make it through the door I’m sure. It’s 6pm tonight (June 4th) although if you can’t wangle your way in then fear not as the show will be open from the 5th to the 14th of June. I just don’t know if you’ll get a chance to meet the guy otherwise, it’s a shame this about the only artist I’ve wanted to meet recently, his work is absolutely fascinating, although on the other hand I do have a habit of getting into arguments with fellow artists, so perhaps it’s for the best.

Charming, sorry mate, I owe you one, if I ever manage to put on a swanky show in London I’ll hope you will consider coming along, who knows it might happen? I will make sure a cake of some description is awaiting your arrival

As for me, well… I’m trying to get my act together pronto – I’ve had a few people emailing me asking where the hell is my latest work ‘Outta Space’ – it’s taking too long I know – I’ve tried to cut back on the detail but it’s still a monstrously complicated work. As for the print studio – well that is definitely a case of an artist blaming his tools. I’ve managed to set up the screen print table for A1 prints, I have an exposure unit ready and waiting, but now I’m struggling to salvage a second-hand print dryer which has obviously been left to rust in a farmer’s field for years. I never knew rust removal could be so complicated, I’ve tried all sorts of chemicals and acids to no avail and so now I’ve decided to take the power tools route. I have the drill, a widget to remove the rust, however I recently had to buy a new charger for it as its cordless and now I’ve got to get a transformer. (Will the expense never end? Probably not.) The fact is even when the equipment is ready there’s the business of creating transparencies, and all the money I’ll need for decent paper, inks, emulsion, cleaners, a jet washer and so on and so on.

I’m sure the meaning of everything for me right now is cold hard cash, or rather the lack of it. Oh well, so much for my whinging, keep your fingers crossed that I’l be up and running by later summer and can make good on a heap of promises for a whole bunch of different people, magazines, galleries and stores.

I’ll be off to Morocco soon with my partner Chris, yes I’m taking a vacation but we booked it up almost 6 months ago, we’re off to the Gnaoua Drums Festival in Essaouira in a few weeks, we’re doing everything on the cheap, renting a little apartment, cooking our own Tajines and generally avoiding spending money wherever possible. Ah well, if I don’t get a break from Britain I will probably go crazy, what with the recession, a useless government and the local elections which will probably end up bolstering the numbers for scary fringe parties like the BNP, it’s just not a great place to live in right now.

I’d love to live somewhere like Morocco, I could expose my screens in the sun and dry my prints, make my own inks from local sources and even the paper, and all on the cheap and in glorious weather. I’d have a screen print studio on a riad rooftop and wake up everyday with a glow of excitement rather than a feeling of trepidation. I wonder how many Brits really like living here any more? Oh well.

Take it easy – if you can.

This post is tagged Charming Baker, charmingbaker.com, invite, limited edition, Morocco, paintings, prints, screen printing, show