Friday 7 November 2014

Lincs Chamber of Commerce Building A Better Business #GoingForGrowth

The LAN requires two things at the moment. One is a regular source of income for artists involved, and to realise projects, or one-off grants / funding to initiate individual projects, and new space of our own in which artists can use to create new experimental work, events, projects and exhibitions, so for this purpose, we went to the free Lincs Chamber Of Commerce Going For Growth event to see what support there was available. 
We seemed to be successful in updating available grants, but whether we are eligible for the criteria, apply and are successful will take time and resources that will be wasted if not.

L: Charley Sowden Shooting Star PR
Charley Sowden of Shooting Star PR made outrageously negative football-related gender associations #everydaysexism but otherwise was informative and knowledgeable despite experiencing challenging presentation issues.

Ross Ryan from Pera Consulting - Growth Accelerator and Andy Clayton of Ruddocks
Streets Accountants declared that we were all capitalists. We thought that capitalism was over in 2008.
And some thought that illustrating their point could be done without the use of any actual illustrations, so this was why we actually DID illustrate some of the speakers! 
In our experience, illustrators are the most attentive people, capable of listening to lectures whilst illustrating Illustration lecturers, and similarly illustrating events as they happen live, instead of taking selfies. We'd like to think that these illustrations resemble the actual people that spoke. If in some way, there is someone that thinks we weren't paying attention, and instead drew a picture of someone else, then we'd be very interested, Brian Sewell. 

If you think that saying words is illustration, or a boring chart with numbers is illustration, without any form of visual communication at all, then we can help you out there. 
To illustrate the point that we don't work for free, you will notice that the pen still has the cap on.
You can even add a personal touch and some class to your company website by hiring an artist or illustrator to create portraits of your team - stock photography is cheap, hiring a photographer is better, as Andy Clayton showed, but hiring an illustrator and having quirky, innovative portraits on the office wall, or a literal mug with the director's face on it will make you literally stand head and shoulders above your competitors.

Even better is to commission some artwork for your reception area or office, that expresses your core company values and shows that you really are a creative and innovative enterprise.

If this would be of interest to you for your business, we would be happy to meet for a consultation to discuss ideas, working to your budget, and we can then source an artist or illustrator whose work we think will fit with your business to create something truly unique. Don't just rely on a logo and a colour scheme, go further - commission an installation by a local graduate, or sponsor an LAN exhibition. 

Tuesday 30 September 2014

Penny For The Guy!


Penny For The Guy!! The LAN now have a guy (sort of!). He has no hands, and his head needs an identity. His clothing is subject to adaptation. He could be Steampunked, Seapunked, Gothed, made into a Doctor Who monster, an effigy of hated MP... and he can be changed for different events, much like Worzel Gummidge changing his heads! If anyone would like to make missing parts for the LAN Guy, the aim is to wheel him around Lincoln to fundraise for LAN exhibitions. If you're a Lincoln-based artist and wish to get involved, please get in touch at contact.lincolnartistnetwork@gmail.com with the subject "Penny For The Guy" or see the LAN Page

Monday 29 September 2014

Tuesday 16 September 2014

New LAN space

The LAN are seeking new space to use as studios, events and exhibition space within the city of Lincoln.

It was interesting to speak to Tom Godfrey, formerly of Moot gallery in Nottingham, which was set up to create a working space for artists there, and to see some of the projects they did, how projects were managed with no budget or funding, and how it developed.

So the LAN has been doing very similar things with the former Empty Shop space and are now in a position to seek new space of our own.

We frequently receive offers from local cafe's and existing venues such as pubs and bars, however, we require a less restricted space with room for artists to create work and exhibit, where we can keep materials and equipment relatively securely.
This could be a disused office space, another empty shop, or other empty space.
We do not have any funding, so ideally, this should be free in lieu of our artist's fees, or there must be a way for us to meet those costs by generating an income for the work we do. 
Our time, skills and expertise are valuable assets, and we offer these in return for space at no cost to you. Your support will equally be recognised as a supporter of the arts and artists.

If you have space available, please contact Helen at contact.lincolnartistnetwork@gmail.com with further details, to discuss further by phone, or to arrange a meeting. 

Please do not contact us to ask for us to volunteer. We do not volunteer our skills for free - you would not ask a plumber, a teacher or a doctor to work for free, so don't waste your time expecting that of us, as you will be disappointed.

Monday 28 April 2014

LAN cycling art project

Spring has sprung, which means it's the ideal time to get on your bike and join us for LAN cycle rides!


Love cycling!
Helen Dearnley's E.T. themed illustrated Valentines Cards proved popular for 2014

We're currently putting together a funding application for a cycle art event planned for Sunday 10th August 2014.
In order to guage interest, some regular cycle rides are planned in the run up between May - June via GoSkyRide and will be uploaded and updated shortly!
These rides are planned on Sunday afternoons from Boultham Park at 2.00p.m. to the city centre, stopping for refreshments at Brayford cafe bar before returning to Boultham Park. 
A great opportunity to meet up and find out more about planned LAN events coming up!

Helen Dearnley Illustration

You can also join us for regular Friday social rides from either the Lpac for Ladies only Breeze  rides, or Starbucks on Brayford for Cycle Chimps 5.30p.m. to the Pyewipe and back to get involved with the LAN.