Another chapter.

Derek Smith tells me that the filming at MMU went well, and that next weekend he wants to interview Margaret Mytton and myself and after that the filming for the documentary on Dave Pearson will be complete. Today was the final day of the exhibition at the See gallery, and next week I'll take the unsold pieces back to the studio at 54. So almost the end of  another chapter. It would be nice if the Inland Revenue would resolve their issue with death duties - then we could start 2011 knowing where the Trust stands.

This year we're better prepared for the cold weather - the water at the studio has been turned off, and the background heaters are on. Important to avoid another burst, especially as the cellar (that was partly flooded last winter) now houses more work as a result of moving the pieces out of Globe Arts Studios.

...and more water

Went over to the store today, where the big paintings (and still a fair few smaller ones) are. I had checked on Friday, after the burst pipe in the studio, and everything seemed fine. At first it looked the same - then I noticed a few small puddles; then I started touching some of the pieces on the river side wall - damp or, in some cases, soaked through. Luckily none of the major pieces had been affected, but a wall of about 40 box files was saturated. Mostly, these contained photocopies for Dave's research. We moved all of these to drier areas. Two A1 folders were very wet, and one sketchbook, and I've taken these to dry out at the studio. About 20 paintings on chipboard have some damage too, but on the whole, we've been lucky. I turned up before too much harm could be done....

Where did this water come from? Not the pipes in the unit. Maybe from the upstairs units. Or leakage through the walls or roof. Whatever, not great for a place where artwork is being stored. 

Burst pipe

I've been having to walk a mile to my car every morning because of the snow and ice - the van is still immovable. But yesterday I also needed my tools so went to Dave's studio for the first time in over a week, walking on the main road and risking the traffic over the treacherous pavements. Things looked fine as I unlocked the doors, but in the distance was the unmistakeable sound of running water. 

As I opened the door to the kitchen the sound was far louder - and water and spray was rushing down from the ceiling. The floor was soaking and the new paintwork was washing off the walls. I ran upstairs and under the toilet sink I saw water bubbling up from the floor. Then the cellar - was the stopcock there? No, but it was covered in puddles of water. Finally I located the stopcock tap and turned it; what a relief not to have that sound adding to the sense of panic. 

OK, so to take stock. No paintings damaged; soaking walls, a small hole in the kitchen ceiling damaged paintwork - and wet floors. Actually, it could have been far worse. I think it must have started that night, with the thaw, so very lucky that I turned up when I did. I rang Mark and Ray, our builders - yes, they will come round and sort it out. Phew...