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    Tuesday 24 March 2009

    24th March 2009

    A view of Aubrey Street, Goldenhill.


    Wednesday 18th March

    11 days left.

    Steve distributed more posters searching for a possible last minute housemate.
    There has been lots of interest in Steve's art over the internet and many good luck messages sent. (Thanks!)
    If you are interested in commissioning a piece of Steve's art - however small,
    contact: savethepaintedhouse@hotmail.com or phone Steve 07919817914


    Thursday 19th March
    The Sentinel interviewed Steve today and took photographs of him beside his murals. We filmed footage for The Painted House on Goldenhill documentary. Steve explained to us that he hadn't realised the positive way in which so many people would react to his paintings as he is usually very critical of his own work. He expressed a big thanks to everyone who has been helping spread the word about his house and his current situation. With increasing optimism about the possibilities of future artworks, the mood lifted in the Painted House this afternoon. Maybe there is hope on the horizon?


    Friday 20th March
    Steve had his eagerly awaited job interview today. Although he was initially optimistic about the possible job, unfortunately very few hours were offered, the contract was for only 8 hours a week minimum wage. They will contact him with the result of the interview over the weekend.

    The Sentinel returned to film The Painted House artwork and interviewed Steve on camera
    talking about his house and paintings.

    Later, we went to the 'Shifting Origins' exhibition of our friends Andy Flint and Behjat Omer Abdulla (at Artwaves, Nile Street in Burslem).
    We also talked to local artists there about Stoke-on-Trent exhibitions and the artist's online network Blurb. After being encouraged by the enthusiasm for his artwork from increasing numbers of people, Steve hopes one day he might have an art exhibition somewhere locally.

    We started brainstorming ideas for Saturday 28th and plan to get local artists and musicians involved somehow.

    only 9 days.... there seems to be very little time left now.


    Saturday 21st March
    Today Steve found out that he didn't get the job :-(

    Planning for Saturday 28th March - an Open Day at The Painted House
    We are looking for local artists and musicians to get involved with the event. Contact: savethepaintedhouse@hotmail.com
    07778558917 Laura Fletcher (organising)


    Sunday 22nd March
    Steve played on his acoustic guitar today around the Goldenhill area which cheered up passers by who suggested a musical career! He has also had interest in his art from someone who may potentially be commissioning some artwork from him in the future.
    -watch this space for further news-

    Monday 23rd March
    Steve went to the job centre to sign on this afternoon. He has run out of food and electric and won't get any money until Thursday 26th. He has worked out that once all bills and expenses have been paid on Thursday he will have just £44 remaining - and of course he will need to spend a lot of that money on food and electric for the next 2 weeks. The sum of £360 needed for Monday 28th seems far off - but perhaps not impossible?

    Steve has seen a forklift job ad he'll be enquiring about (although it's very far away he might be able to cycle there).

    Today the full page colour article on The Painted House was in The Sentinel, and a really nicely done video interview has been posted online.

    We put up posters and started handing out fliers for the Painted House Open Day.
    More filming for the documentary - a recap on everything that has been going on with Steve and the house so far - over this last week so much has happened!
    People seem to like the websites :-) (Thanks!) savethepaintedhouse@hotmail.com e-mail with comments/suggestions. (you can also add comments to the bottom of these blog posts - without having to be signed in to a Blogger account).

    Tuesday 24th March
    This morning Steve was Live on air from The Painted House on BBC Radio Stoke
    he was interviewed by reporter Katie Ingram.
    Recording link: Breakfast_24_03_2009 (the radio recording is available online until Tuesday 31st March - the section about the house starts at approx. 1:23:40 - which at the time was about 8:20am)
    Unfortunately it cut out during the interview - but I guess that's what comes of a live broadcast from a distant hill in a house with foil covering the walls!

    Today there was also another notice in The Sentinel about the Open Day on Saturday.
    As we were filming an update for the documentary, there was a knock at the door of The Painted House. A photographer came by from an agency in based in France and London who thought that people far and wide might be interested in seeing the house. We asked him a few questions and he took pictures, it was only once he had left that we realised maybe he didn't even know the house was due to be repossessed!

    It has been a surreal few days.

    6 days left..

    ...there are some exciting new developments taking place - the details of which will be worked out over the next few days!


    Saturday 28th March will be Open Day at The Painted House on Goldenhill!
    Let us know if you are free to pop by and see the art, or just turn up between 12pm and 10pm.
    If you need directions:

    11 Aubrey Street, Goldenhill, Stoke-on-Trent
    ST6 4QF