Christmas and New Year wishes by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

This is just for fun, but on a serious note for people who I'm unable to reach by post or whatever, here is a Christmas video-card I made for you!

click on/copy and paste the link for more:

https://youtu.be/8fUsR6Y1lFA

I hope you have a good one! 🎄

Sophie's Blog - Artwork

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Art Exhibit

It's that time of year again, here in Preston, for local Artists to be able to exhibit their artwork at The Harris Open Art Exhibition, The Harris Museum.

I am pleased to announce that this year I have submitted some artwork again - two pieces.

Please see the following link for more information:-

(copy and paste/click on)

http://www.harrismuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/1727-harris-open-exhibition-2019

I think that it's important to consider:-

Artists can sell their work or exhibit it as NFS (Not For Sale).

Artists are required to pay a fee to submit work.  The museum also takes a 30% commission fee off any price the Artist advertises their work for.

If you're interested in art, come along.  You might just grab yourself a bargain, of original art and also be supporting your local artists as well.  

Other than that I see it as a chance to mingle with like-minded folk.  

In fact, just by submitting art-work, in the queue, I found myself mingling with a fellow artist as well as art-work being submitted in front of me being that of another friend in my lifestyle, depicted in the painting of a horse.

Looking forward to this event.

The event runs from/to:-

'14 December – 26 January 2020
Preview night - Friday 13 December 6pm - 8pm. FREE. Everyone welcome.'

How many days is it to 'Crispmas'?! By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

The Christmas ads are on TV again.
Frankly, I'm pleased I subscribe to a non-TV license and am not subjected to them in yer face all the time.

This article that I wrote IN 2017! 
(Click on/copy and paste link)
I think is particularly relevant.

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2017/12/s-cox-oshaughnessy-photography-happy.html?m=0

I just thought that I would raise awareness that I wrote this blog, ahem, in 2017! Yes, that's two years ago.

'A Happy Crispmas!'

It's already been DONE, by ME.

Bah humbug!

I reiterate, this year there is one advert in particular a big hoo har has been made about it seems.
While Walkers etc. make millions, I write a blog, to support myself as an artist, for free, with ideas in like:
I ❤️ Christmas (inspired by a crisp I found, ahem, of the shape of a heart, representing the word love/luv).

#IPublicisedItFirst

I Saw It First by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

I Saw It and Wore It First

It's fascinating how fashion comes around time and time again.

I spotted this pic., advertising the company I Saw It First dot com with a lime green jacket that the model is wearing, this year.

Here are two photos of me wearing a lime green jacket, more or less the same design, oo, about twenty-four years ago, whilst posing on motor bikes (in Italy).  

Yes, it's me - I had my hair short and red at the time.

#FascinatingFashion 

#ActuallyISawItFirst 

Photos c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2019

'assaulted while busking' LancsLive article - Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Article Update

Lancs Live approached me recently interested in writing an article about what happened when I was attacked last month whilst performing as a freelance Musician (Busker).

At first I was very nervous about even responding to the press.

However, from reading it today I'm pleased I spoke up.  

I hope that this article that they have written makes other musicians feel secure by just getting this story out there.

See the following link for the article:

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/assaulted-busking-streets-preston-17171789

Court Case Results Online Review - Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Article Update

So the results from the court case are going online ...

Here's one source:

See the following link for more:

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2019/10/woman-jailed-for-attack-on-street-musician-outside-fishergate-marks-and-spencer/

I thought that it's quite a succinct article.  At the end of the article you can log in and make a comment.  Personally, I haven't made any comments.  Preston Blog's article about this only came to my attention today.  I found the 'bat out of hell' comment particularly amusing. 

Overall, I think it's a really good result.  I haven't been awarded any compensation by the court, however I may chase this up.  I had been left emotionally traumatised by the incident, though I'm pretty much over the bruises and scrapes - I will be indulging in purchasing a new pair of leggings.  Though I might consider setting a trend wearing them as they are - holes on both of my knees ... .  Might catch on, look quite fetching ... . If not, give some fellas a thrill ... .  I will be looking to replace my music stand at some point. Until then, I will make do with it's Leaning Tower of Pisa appearance ... .  

Fair enough, if someone hasn't got the means maybe they cannot pay for the damage caused.  Yes, it's minimal, but how about they be ordered to do community service so they can afford to pay for the damage?  It might even help turn their life around.  Maybe the system is too bound up with codes of practice, but it's just a thought.

Connected article:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2019/09/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-appeal-for.html 

[Incidently, the second link in this article, by the LEP, when they printed it, they said that the offender had got granted unconditional bail.  That caused me anxiety at the time because the Police had told me that she had been sent to prison until the court hearing.  I asked the Police to check for me and it became apparent that what the LEP had printed was incorrect, that she was in prison.]

Save Our Arts Heritage by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Arts Heritage rules OK

c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2019 (2006)

Here I am performing 'Dea Ex Machina'.  This is a snapshot photo of a Dance piece I choreographed and performed to one of Phillip Glass's Dancepieces.  This, I performed in the Avenham Theatre (in the Harris Institute building) directly opposite Avenham Park in Preston Lancashire.  

It was an assessed piece, whilst also open to the public, in a complete Theatre/Show going ambience experience (as part of my Degree studies). 

The Theatre, which is set at the rear of the building has such character.  The seating is teared and resembles Christian Church pews complete with the panel in front of you, that you can lean forward on, all adjoined.  (Obviously there isn't a cushioned lower panel to kneel on.)  [I remember this well, as I scattered rose petals along this panel as part of the preparation for the set for another piece I presented to a live audience when one of my Teachers said that we could create a piece of theatre/dance etc, that wouldn't be assessed, though just for us to create and perform work, if we wanted, and I chose to.  (This was dance, music, singing and visual art that I revealed during the piece that I had made (mixed media).]  The stage is one level at door entrance level and panel/screens can be used for wings.  
For people not accustomed to theatre speak - 'wings' are part of the stage, but offstage, on either side of the stage and out of sight of the audience.
Then there is also space for the sound and lighting desk at the rear and at the top of the auditorium.  The flooring has capacity for dance flooring.
It's cute because it is a small Theatre, but fully functioning.
The other rooms are set as classrooms and there is a large dance studio complete with bars and mirrors and dance studio flooring.  The windows are high, so the space can let the light in, though provide excellent concentration/study conditions as no distractions from outside.
I should add there are two staircases that join on a landing and then go up again another set of two staircases - very novel and ornate.

At least, this was how it was in 2006.

Here I am on one of the pillars in front of the Avenham (Harris Institute) building today:

23/10/2019

I recently read an article by Blog Preston on 'Decaying Harris Institute remains on 'at risk' register'.  This inspired me to write, in support of it, this particular article.  See here for the article:

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2019/10/decaying-harris-institute-sees-price-dropped-as-it-keeps-at-risk-status/?fbclid=IwAR0qwxRKKFxHOri7MCw3QQ04klA9EVQxAhn2b68XQm6-gFFMGrxjPcusM9s

The Harris Institute building is central to Preston.  No, it's not on the High St (Fishergate) or slap bang right in the middle of the town ie. Friargate.  It is proportionally across the way from the Harris (Museum and Library), that is in the town centre.  It is in its own place.  

In my opinion, if successfully restored, it would only compliment other arts venues such as Preston Playhouse, the Media Factory (UCLan) and maybe the building beside The Guild Hall/Charter Theatre (sadly not in in use anymore), that I hear there is talks of turning into a music venue.  Incidently, I have volunteered as a Stage Hand for Preston Playhouse and also worked as an Usherette in The Guild Hall and Charter Theatre (2015).

Preston is a city now.  People walk and meander around cities.  Talking of walks, there is a most beautiful, pleasant promenade - officially called Walk directly opposite the building.  Originally it was known as a promenade.  

23/10/2019

Take a look at this link for more on Avenham Walk's origin:

https://www.parksandgardens.org/places/avenham-walk

I would dearly love to see the cute little Theatre in the Avenham building (The Harris Institute) restored.  Even, the large dance studio. It would be a fantastic project for an investor and/or Arts Council/Lottery Arts Funding.

I sincerely hope this article inspires any potential investor to consider being able to contribute to saving our arts culture here in the UK.

I personally would be willing to provide tuition and/or performances in the performing arts for anyone seriously considering reinstating the listed building's potentially impressive business for the arts and people of Preston and can be approached by email/phone to discuss any ideas.  See here, Contact, for more:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2016/10/performance-artistteacher-miss-sophie.html

I could write more, and go on and on, writing this Blog article, as I feel there is much more to say, however, there are people who have jobs who write bids for funding.

I write a Blog both to support myself as an Artist, and as a hobby and as such it is unpaid and you know what they say, time is money.

Photos c. S.Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2019