Sunday 28 June 2009

Today

Taken from Laura's blog..... and today seemed like an appropriate day to do it!!

TODAY

June 28th 2009


Outside my window... Its trying to rain, and I'm hoping for a huge, thundery downpour!


I am thinking... that it is so hard to focus on anything other than the fact that my baby is due TODAY, and that from now onwwards, waiting is going to feel so long.


I am thankful for... spending lots and lots of time with Dave right now before the baby gets here, but that he will be around in the days seeing his baby grow up, because he works from home.


From the kitchen... A hive of activity, due to my nesting need to fill the freezer to the brim! Lasagna, spinich dijon chicken, beef bourganon, beef and ale stew and morrocan lamb tagine this week alone!


I am wearing... my trusty maternity jeans and a floaty top... and feeling very hot.


I am creating... a painting in the kitchen which is really quite different from anything I have done before. I'm not sure I like it, but its more about the making than the end product right now.


I am going... to try and think of productive ways of filling my week next week if nothing happens, so that I am not just wasting time on the internet or feeling bored and restless.


I am reading... hmmmmm.... yes, reading. I have just finished "A spot of bother" by Mark Haddon, and really need to start another one. Think it might be "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak.


I am hoping... that this time next week I won't be waiting any more!


I am hearing... piano music coming from the front room being played by Dave.


Around the house... is tidier than its EVER been!


One of my favorite things... paint!


A few plans for the rest of the week... Need I state the obvious? You can guess what I'm HOPING the big plan is for the week ahead!

Saturday 27 June 2009

Karen is....

Waiting.

Cooking.

Reading.

Painting.

Thinking.

Snoozing.

Nesting.

READY...

Saturday 13 June 2009

Studio in crisis

Another important thing that I haven't said much about here is the funding crisis currently being faced by Studio Upstairs, the artists community where i used to volunteer. On my last day at the studio, the announcement was made that unless some major funding was secured, the studio would have to close within 6 months.

I am devastated by this possibility.

Despite not being a volunteer at the studio now, I will always feel part of it and the thought of it closing fills me with horror. It is a vital resource for so many, and full of some of the most creative and inspiring people I know. Since the announcement was made, some funding has been secured which means the studios future is safe until Jan 2010, but despite this, things still hang in the balance. So many exciting exhibitions and fundraising things are planned, so I feel optimistic and hopeful. But if anyone is out there in blogland who wants to support a most worthy charity in any way they can, visit the studio website for more details.

And the next exhibition is an exhibition of postcards for sale...... heres the blurb from the facebook site publicising this.....

As part of our continuing ‘Save Our Studio’ campaign, Studio Upstairs Bristol proudly presents an exciting open submission exhibition at 204 Gloucester Road artspace from June 27 – July 5th

All artists were given a 5"x8" postcard and a free rein – the result is an incredible mixed-media show, with the Bristol art community truly pulling together to show their support for Studio Upstairs.

Artists from Studio Upstairs, Aardman, Spike Island, Jamaica Street Studios, PRSC, Mivart Street Studios and graffiti / street artists from the recent RWA Crimes of Passion show (amongst others) have all got involved - the result is a massive selection of high quality original pieces, all for sale at just £10 - come early and grab a bargain!


I am REALLY hoping to attend the opening, but is firmly in the hands of fate, as it is the day before my baby is meant to make an arrival.....

Catching Up

Ok, so I haven't blogged in SUCH a long time, but I think it is fair to say my brain has been engaged elsewhere!!

I have been really trying to focus on ME during the last few months of my pregnancy, but it is hard to focus when all of my energies are being drawn inwards towards the little life that is growing so big in my belly, and all the excitement, worry, fear and happiness that brings. Also, over the past couple of weeks I have found it even harder to think about myself and my creativity, as my baby was locked in a breech position, and I was dealing with issues around this, which I won't go into here, as I don't want to get TOO personal. Safe to say we had a very sucessful if pretty hardcore and traumatic appointment yesterday where my baby was turned. So now I can focus on an active birth, and try and think a bit more about me and my creativity!

Its hard to remember what else has been happening in my world since I last blogged. Arts week totally burned me out and left me unable and extremely unwilling to be in my studio. I went up there a couple of days ago though recently. I only painted for an hour, but it made me feel back in touch with my creative urges, and much more balanced. I am brimming with ideas, but really do need to get rid of all my old paintings that are hanging around. They feel pretty stale now, and are blocking the flow of new ideas. But its kind of hard to do anything about this right now! All I know is that I have a hankering to do an exhibition which is much more about exhibiting for exhibitings sake, rather than to try and flog canvasses. I have some ideas for some much more sculptural work, and feel a new direction coming on. Which is quite exciting. I also have absolutely no idea how long these ideas will take to come to life. Could be a year. Could be many more!! Lets welcome the new arrival into my world and go from there!