Good morning everyone! Well it's my first quarter as an independent mountmaker and I'm still alive somehow. The biggest learning curve for me has been the business side of everything. But I keep on swinging away with great fervor and determination.

Last month I had an amazing gig working with the team at LACMA for their Fiji exhibition for three weeks. It was wonderful working with Holly and David and sharing mountmaking tips and tools etc. It also made me miss working at an institution and having so many like-minded peers to talk with.

Not enough to make me not appreciate the independent life though. One thing I'm grateful for is being able to take on the occasional restoration/conservation job though. It's helped in those times of mountmaking famine for sure! Today I'm working on repairing some broken ceramics and it's some really meditative stuff! And when I'm finished, what a perfect argument for some supporting mounts for said vases right? I'll share some photos below.

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year and involved in some amazing projects! I'd love to hear about them if you have a moment.

Yours,

James Gielow

Spark&Anvil