Meanderings, Musings and Meditations

A Pause.

2011-01-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

(Image by Edward Monkton)

There has been a big pause in this blog. I have been pretty busy in lots of ways, with trips away, an exhibition, and for the latter part of the year, the sale of our flat! There never seemed to be time to write here, I have logged on nearly every week, but could never find the words.

The big gap seems to fit will with the word I have chosen for next year. I was chatting to a good friend about all things art related and what my next plans were. She helped me to see that, whilst it is good to make links with other artists, it is not necessarily up to me to single handledly bring together all the artists in my town, or to make a name for myself, or save the universe, or get sorted ASAP. I think I need some time out to realise what it is I DO want as an artist, what is important to me, and to take my time doing it. My word for this year is PAUSE.

I am going to be moving into a new house, and I want to make time to enjoy making the space mine. I want to paint for the sake of it, to enjoy the process, rather than working madly towards a commission or exhibition deadline. I want to concentrate on seeing friends more, rather than feeling guilty for not having the time to see them.

This year is going to be about taking the pressure off a bit, being a bit aimless, but bloody well enjoying it!

The Evolution of Gully

2010-07-08T14:37:00.001-07:00

Gully has taken up residence in Grove Park, my favourite park in Weston! I am thrilled, proud, excited and more than a little worried for his safety....

Here is a little picture post of his journey from The Phillipines to weston-super-mare, via my studio...

Den revisited

2010-06-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

Today we bought an amazing thing for Ruby, which I will go into detail about in my other blog. It reminded me so much of This post . Do you think I am weird that I am planning to spend time in this when she has gone to bed, just journalling, thinking and shutting myself off from the world?

Yes. Probably...

I STILL love camping, but it HAS changed a bit...

2010-06-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

We have now done two camping trips with Ruby, and I have been musing on the differences.

I was reminded of this post about why I love camping, and have been thinking about it after our recent camping trip to Currypool Campsite with the Weston-super-Mums.

OK, so things have changed in terms of the fact it is NOT as relaxing as it used to be. I can't just rock out of bed in the morning, settle into my chair with a brew and do nothing for a few hours. Ruby still needs lots of attention, and I don't sit down much! However, everything else I said in that post? Well, it still all applies. I love being in the outdoors, and the freedom that gives us all. I was still MORE than able to sit up all night putting the world to rights! Still drank red wine, just had to wait til Ruby was alseep! It was a great weekend, and despite it being harder work, I think having Ruby there made it one of the best camping trips ever.

Gathering the threads.

2010-05-18T02:21:00.000-07:00

My world is busy. And yes, that IS what I usually say when I haven't been bothered to blog for a while. But in my defence, there really has been a LOT going on!

The big thing in my world right now is donkey painting. And no, as some people seem to think, that has nothing to do with a new sideline in animal portraiture. Ever heard of "Cow Parades?" Well my little home town is doing its own version. But with donkeys. Naturally. And I have managed to blag painting one of them. I have enjoyed it more than I expected to, and will naturally share the pictures of the donkey when he is finished.

I have begun the sort out of my studio space. I had to, to accommedate the four legged visitor who is currently residing there.

My flat is on the market. We are now playing the waiting game, which I HATE.

I have an exhibition booked for September.

My fabric is nearly finished.

Ruby is CRAWLING and nearly walking. That on its own would keep me busy enough.

Knitting. Ah! Another scarf finished. And now I am knitting little pieces on massive needles, which I intend to use on a canvas somehow.

My brain is not working too good at the moment. Pictures to follow. (not of my brain you understand, but of all the creative things I have mentioned here. I thank you)

My red room

2010-04-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

We are soon going to be selling up our flat. (Hopefully) I feel very ambivilent about selling, as I LOVE my flat, but without any kind of outdoors space, it doesn't work with The Rubester.

A few years ago, the original plan was to sell up, move to New Zealand for a few years, maybe permenantly. The inlaws got involved with the DIY. Its a long story, involving a crash in the housing market hence us not selling, but put it this way, there was a lot of heartache, a couple of arguments, and I learnt a lot about why it is NOT A GOOD IDEA to mix DIY with inlaws. The process of doing it up forced me to fall a little bit out of love with the place, but I am still very attached. However, with putting it up to sell again, I must begin the process of letting go, and this post is part of that process for me. So. Here is the story of why I fell in love with the place. Its the story of my red room....

I remember viewing the flat. We swore we would never live in a flat again after spending an unhappy month in the company of the abusive, slightly violent neighbour from hell in our old flat. Then the details of this flat came through. What the hell! I thought, I'm NEVER going to buy it, but it looks pretty, so lets be nosy! We were being shown around, and I liked it, then we were taken into the bedroom. And I fell head over heals in love with the deep red bedroom. I had always wanted a bedroom the EXACT shade this one was painted, but in the wrong room the colour would be massivley oppresive. I fell in love instantly. I never knew this was possible with just a flat! I knew we had to live there..... and the rest is history.

I remember when I lost my battle to keep the room red (Magnolia FUCKING SELLS FLATS apparently, despite my argument that it would make the room more than a little souless), I painted this image at Studio Upstairs one day in response. I Still love it, and may well frame it in the next place I live to remind me of this flat that I loved.

But it it time to move on....

Commission Update..... TANTALISINGLY nearly there!

2010-04-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

There has been lots rumbling in my world which has led me away from all things creative, but I am back on track, and trying to get my commission finished. Here is the latest design for the fabric.

It still needs tweaking, I need to make the linking sections out of wire rather than draw them on freehand in photoshop, I need to re-photograph all the pictures and wire work on a much better camera and make the image PERFECT, but it nearly there. I sent the emails off to Laura , and the feedback I receieved was extremely positive, so I am really pleased. And relieved, as I want it finished now! The buzz of doing new work has now worn off. And I am looking forward to being paid in handbags.... nice!

Getting my knit on....

2010-03-21T13:02:00.001-07:00

One of my 52 challenges this year was to knit a scarf....

I can now tick that one off the list!!

I was round at Camillas house as it was her turn to host the evening knitting group when I finished it, and there was an actual ripple of applause from those assembled when I announced the completion of my first ever knitting project!

The buzz I got from finishing my first ever project was bigger than I expected, and I am not totally hooked (as it were...) So much so that I am half way through another scarf.... this time more complex. And photos to follow.

OOOOOOO! Get me!

Studio SPACE

2010-03-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Phew!

I've just been so busy lately there has been no time to post here. Some of my busy-ness has been art related, but most not. On Mothers day, one of my treats was for Ruby to hang out with her daddy for most of the afternoon so I could put in some uninterrupted time up at my studio. It was MUCH needed. I have been up there quite a lot recently what with the commission, but its been ages since I have done anything for myself. This time, I was completely concentrating on my own stuff, and it felt really liberating. A new painting came out which I really like, plus, as I was up there on my own, I was dancing a round like a lunatic to my Ipod with nobody to see. And, as I was leaving, I took this photo, which doesn't quite do justice to how beautiful the evening was. I really have the best located studio ever, and feel very lucky.

Tagged Too....

2010-02-28T12:55:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by Camilla!

This is what it means to play the game...

1. open your first photo folder in your computer library.
2. scroll to the 10th photo
3. post the photo and the story behind it
4. tag 5 or more people to continue the thread

When I was in my final year at university, my housemate at the time collered me one morning before lectures and told me that she wanted me to pop into town with her before we went in. To get a pregnancy test kit.....

The rest of this tale belongs to her and is a little private so is not my story to tell. Needless to say, it was a very emotionally charged experience living with a pregnant woman for most of the duration of her pregnancy, and bonded me to her like cement. It was such a special/scary/stressful/life altering time for her, and I experienced it upclose and personal.

The photo shows my man with my housemates daughters. The taller girl is the little person who I began to get to know as I felt her kicking my housemates ever expending belly! I was the first person on earth to know of her existance other than my housemate when she confided in me. I felt extremely privilledged.

I love the photo, as it shows that little person all grown up. The photo makes me feel rather old! It also makes me smile, as it reminds me of how both little girls took a real shine to my man on that day. I sat back and watched as he entertained them and let them bash around on his beloved piano with only the most imperceptible of twitches. It made me realise that my man was pretty good with kids. And it sparked me thinking about whether it was time to start thinking about bringing our own kids into the world.

And LOOK what happened from that train of thought....

Wow! Deep!

And now a confession. That photo was the tenth from the second photo album in my computer library. But the first album only had 9 photos. I toyed with the idea of using the 9th photo

but I am afraid I was very drunk when it was taken, and I have absolutley no idea who the afro-wigged man is.....

Also, I haven't tagged anyone else as all the people I would have tagged have already been got!

Repeating myself

2010-02-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

The background Laura has chosen to go with is this one.

The shape she has chosen to go with is this one.

Now to get the background manipulated so that it can be repeated and printed onto fabric.

SIGH! My photoshop skills are really not that crash hot!

Commission in Progress

2010-02-13T12:15:00.001-08:00

I have been a bit hampered recently by being ill, but I am now ready to send off the first images for my commission.

I have been asked to create some work with a view to printing the designs onto fabric. Its a really hard thing to do. Making the work was fairly easy. Thinking about how the work will then be translated onto fabric is proving to be much harder.

Anyways, here is a sneak peak of what I have been up to.

2010-02-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

By Naoko Ito

Oh no!

2010-01-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

Randomly came across an artist called Barbara Gilhooly today who is doing really similar work to the stuff I am doing for my commission....only hers is so much better than mine! Dammit! It is so hard to think of stuff that hasn't been done before.....

Really like some of her stuff though.....

I even like her paintings.

Cow.

(If you have randomly stumbled across this post Barbara, OF COURSE you are not a cow. I'm just really rather jelous of your work. Its a compliment!)

52 Challenges

2010-01-27T02:45:00.000-08:00

Along with my word for the year, I set myself 52 challenges to complete. Some easy, some hard. I might post about them in another entry.

One of my challenges is to once and for all learn how to park my car anywhere I need to. I think I am a good driver. Rubbish parker though. I look to this man for inspiration.

(From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09A5zgHXA8E)

2010-01-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

Spooky stuff. Wow!

Not a lot of words

2010-01-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

My new year so far has been full and quite creative, I want to post, but I am tired and feeling a little overwhelmed and just ever so slightly grumpy. So, in the place of words, here are some pictures. In no particular order, and with no intended meanings, although can you tell what my new obsession is?

Guerilla....................
Link

Terror.................................
(I lost the link to this one, so apologies to whomever images it is, it was just too delicious not to share)

Child cruelty............................

Link

Knitting take two.....

2010-01-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

I have recently got back into knitting, after a bit of a false start a couple of years ago

This time it has rather grabbed me by the.....er...... purls?

It helps enormously that I have joined a knitting group, which has totally fired up my knitting motor.....

I am not sure as of yet what kind of a knitter I am going to be. I find it kind of therapeutic really, and quite enjoy the monotony of the repetition. I am told this WILL get boring. I am not sure I will truely get into patterns though, as my brain is already turning to thoughts of knitting with all sorts of strange materials and combining knitting somehow with my artwork. Saying that, I LOVE hats and would really like to learn to make some!

So time will tell where this will lead, but already it feels more than just another soon to be forgotten about dabble.....

I am currently knitting an enormous scarf on massive needles with big fat wool. Talking about it here is making me miss it, so back I go......

Reclaiming the space

2009-12-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

For the past 6 months, Ruby has been sharing our room, but tonight, for the first time, she is sleeping in her own room. MY bedroom is no longer RUBY's room, and its made me realise just how much I have missed it. I don't have to creep into bed to avoid waking her up, and have been able to potter around in the room enjoying making it mine again. I have reclaimed the space.

It was this act of reclaiming the space that has cemented my choice for my word of the year for 2010. Yep, my word for 2010 is going to be.....

SPACE

This word has lots of meanings in terms of my focus for next year. Firstly, its about the space I live in. Having Ruby has made me want to create a home for her which she loves, and that is a creative, calm, inspiring, homely and happy place. I look around my flat, and it is not quite how I want it, so this year I am going to be thinking a lot about the environment I live in. Its going to be about doing all those tasks around the home that I never seem to make time for, like recycling/ebay-ing/charity shopping all those old clothes that fester in my wardrobe, sorting out the stuff under my bed (GULP!), surrounding myself with artwork and things to look at that inspire me, and generally making my home a nicer place for me and my family to live.

Secondly, I'm going to be focusing on my studio space. I found out this week that one of the girls who recently moved into my space no longer wants it, so I am now going to be having a much bigger space to work in. As I mentioned in a previous post, my studio space has never really worked for me. Therefore, I am going to spend time this coming year working out how best I can use the space and then turning it into the kind of environment that DOES work for me and that makes me want to hang out up there more often. I know if I can get the space right, then my work and ideas will take flight and flourish.

Thirdly, it leads on from my word of the year last year, which was KAREN! I wanted to make sure I didn't lose sight of myself in the process of becoming a mama, and I want to continue to make space for myself. Space to think, space to paint, space to be entirely on my own at times, and space to connect with what is important to me.

I have spent the last few weeks pondering what my word would be, and I really feel like the word SPACE fits perfectly with where my head is at.

I am REALLY excited about what next year holds.

Textiles, textiles,textiles....

2009-11-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

Three times for emphasis....

Its funny the way the universe conspires to bring things to fruition.....

A while back, I wrote a post about how I wanted to incorporate more textiles into my artwork. I end up trying to create texture using paint, so why not throw in the real thing, and all that?! And then in the last week, two things occur that bring these thought back to the front of my brain.

The first thing is finding out about a new "Stitch and Bitch" group that is starting up at 'Loves' cafe bar in Weston. Now, I'm rubbish at knitting, but its an opportunity to meet with other creative people in my home town, and drink tea. Whats not to like?! And anyways, I am thinking of trying a bit of sewing/general mucking about with embroidery and textiles instead. I would like to learn to knit, but as I also need to Bring Ms Ruby with me to this group, it might be better to work on something that doesn't require tons of concentration.... mind you, I'm not really sure there is ANYTHING I will be able to do one handed if Rubester is not in the mood to rock and roll about on the floor..... hmmmm, except perhaps drink tea and eat toast?

SO! My brain has been ticking all weekend on all things knitting/textile/material/embroidery related, and then I find a message in my inbox from Laura Crouch Collins, an old friend of mine who lives in America, and makes the most amazing bags, one of which I am lucky enough to own....

Anyways..... she is interested in working with me to design some fabric for her Spring/Summer collection of bags for 2010! I am THRILLED at this prospect, especially as she will be paying me in handbags if the project comes off. WOOOOO!

Now I am really buzzing on all things textile, to the point where I am having trouble sleeping due to all the ideas flying round my head. (SIGH! This side effect of having a creative brain just doesn't mix with having a baba that likes to get up LOTS of times in the night for midnight feasts.....)

Here are a few images that excite me....

Made by Lupin Kind of remind me of some of my paintings, and I LOVE all the colours....

From 'Love Stitching Art'

And is it sad that this photo makes my heart beat a little faster? (And yes, I did end up buying some felt.....)

Confessional #2

2009-11-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

I LIKE colouring inside the lines....

Confessional

2009-11-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

Sigh..... where are all the months going?

Yup, its been ages since I last posted.Summer has well and truely left us, and I'm afraid I can't pretend it is Autumn either. It is cold, wet and pretty miserable, and I am mourning the loss of my long walks with The Rubester every day. (although we still walk, it has to be said, we just end up getting a little soggier.)

This is going to be a post where I am most honest with myself and own up to something that has been becoming increasingly more obvious to me recently. I have had a stark realisation that I have outgrown my studio down at The Quarry. If I am honest, I probably outgrew it on the day I moved into it. Since having "T.R", I have been buzzing with new ideas and creative thoughts, despite having little time to realise them. And being flooded with inspiration has made me realise that I have probably not created anything truely new since working at The Quarry. I have spent lots of time procrastinating by finishing off old work and reworking stuff, rather than following any new paths. Because of this, my practice up there feels pretty stale.

I think there are a number of things that have contributed to this feeling. For a start, the space is too small. Secondly, much as I have enjoyed and been challenged by having a studio that is occasionally open to the public, I have found it equally stiifling. I have struggled to let go of myself and go a bit wild and experiemental. When I had my room at home I could really go for it without fear of being judged. Ok, so the work wasn't always good, but it was freer and I could be much less inhibited.

It feels like time to move on, I'm just not sure where to yet. My ideal would be to have a big old studio at the bottom of my garden I could retreat to, occasionlly get drunk in and paint away to my hearts content. Sadly, in a flat with no garden, this is not really an option!

I'm not really sure what the solution is, but to have acknowledged this feels like the first step to finding it.....

Weston Arts Festival

2009-09-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

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Last weekend was the beginning of the Weston-super-Mare Arts Festival 2009. I was (kind of) involved up at The Quarry as there was an open day with Open Studios and a sculpture trail, but to be honest, it was such a nice day that I spent most of it outside in the sunshine! But I did take Ruby on her first sculpture trail. (although I CAN'T WAIT to take her to see the sculptures at Broomhill)

There are lots of exciting things happening in my hometown art wise over the duration of the festival. On my birthday, I went to meet Camilla at The Mythical Beast Sweet Shoppe. It was lovely to meet her, and, as she wrote on her blog, I too hope we can meet in the not too distant future to drink tea and talk all things art related!

I also met a lovely fellow artist called Becky. Becky runs a little boutique shop in Weston called Frou Frou where another little slice of arts week was taking place. I loved what was happening here. Sometimes, exhibitions in places which are not exhibition spaces can feel a little.....well, wrong. Pieces can feel jarring and look a little out of place. But this place was entirely different. The pieces were meant to be an integral part of the shop so the lines between shop and art were blurry, and it worked really well. And I loved chatting to Becky. She is also an artist and mum, so she knows where I am coming from in terms of still needing to create despite having the pressures of a new little person in my world, and on how it has focused me and frustrated me in equal measure! And I feel more than a little inspired but everything I have seen so far.

I have a little idea brewing....... I never took fine art at University, as I always had a sense that I would not be good enough, or clever enough, or cool enough! Now, I have a small fire inside my belly. I would really like to go to Weston College and study the Applied Art degree that both Becky and Camilla studied. Talking to Becky, it sounds exactly what I need to really focus my art practice, and the thought of immersing myself in an environment where I can totally focus on my art and the artwork of others is deliciously appealing. I worry that I am being selfish even considering it, as it would require lots of sacrifice on both my and Dave's part. I'm not sure I can afford it, I'm not sure I could justify quitting work in order to do it, or to keep on working and have to put Ruby in nursery for 4 days a week to do it. Basically, it is a bit of a logistical nightmare!

But I can't get the thought out of my mind.....

September...

2009-09-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

...is officially my favourite month of the year. Not only is it my birthday month, but it seems that September is usually better weather than the entire summer here put together.

Its wonderful when the skies look like this....

But the leaves look like this.

I have little energy right now, and have been feeling a bit poorly recently. However, I have also been on quite a few creative wanderings recently and met some interesting new people, so have much to write about. September also seems to herald new beginnings for me as the season changes, strangely much more so than the new year. My head is full of creative thoughts and plans, which is much better than it being full of the pain of a rather nasty ear infection.....

Here is to new artist friends, blue skies, the beginnings of Autumn and (soon) healthy ears!!

My favourite shops are sweet shops...

2009-09-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

And on my birthday I'm going to one....

The Mythical Beast Sweet Shoppe is a collaberative exhibition of 20 artists exhibiting work on the theme of mythical beasts. Its being housed in a curious little building overlooking Birnbeck Pier that I have always wondered about but never visited, a ten minute walk from where I live. Its next to Prince Consort Gardens, a lovely little park that I often end up at in order to see the sea, wonderful sunsets and to plot creative endeavours and generally feel inspired. There will be 40 different types of sweets on sale during the exhibition.

I am VERY excited! And hopefully I will get to meet Camilla...

Keeping it separate

2009-09-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

In light of my word of the year being "Karen", I have created a new blog.

This whole "bring up baby" lark can be all consuming, and I have felt the desire to document it, think about it, write for therapeutic purposes and talk about my experiences, but it didn't feel right for these musings to end up on this blog. This blog is about all things creative in my world, and I kinda want it to stay that way.

So if you are at all interested, you can see my new blog here.

www.meanderingsmusingsandmotherhood.blogspot.com

You don't HAVE to read it, but give it a try? I hope you won't find it dull! Of course, if babies aren't your bag, then just stay here and normal creative service will be resumed.

Don't say I'm pushing you into anything.....

Betinna Schroeder

2009-08-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Bettina Schroeder

Speaking of working more in textiles.....

I came across this artist while wandering around Totnes when i was there in February, and I completely fell in love with her work. I meant to blog about it, but totally forgot.

I love the way her work is packed with meaning and is extremely thought provoking, and I love love LOVE her use of materials. It is giving me a hankering for getting out my liquid latex again.....

Weston-super-Mare Arts Festival

2009-08-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about this years Arts Festival. Firstly, there is a big festival taking place in the Old Town Quarry where I have my studio, with lots of things going on including live painting, open studios and a sculpture exhibition. I am planning on spending as much of the day there as I can, whilst hoping that people don't assume that me breastfeeding Ruby is public is some sort of strange performance art as they wander round the open studios!!

Also, Camilla whose blog I follow is organising three different events throughout the town which I am going to try and get to. There is the other Art in the Quarry event which I hope to get to, where local artists and performers have been asked to create site specific work, an exhibition at Frou Frou of contemporary embroidery and plasterwork, and The Mythical Beast Sweet shoppe, which is open on weekends during the Arts Festival, and is only round the corner from where I live!

I am hoping for good weather so I can get out and about to as many events as possible, and induldge Ruby and (more importantly) myself in some interesting art from local talent. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the embroidery work, I've been looking at some of the exhibits as shown on Camilla's blog. Some of the work is edgy, humorous and RIGHT up my alley, particularly work by this lady I am DEFINATELY a fan!

I am hoping for lots of inspiration. I love to work in mixed media when I paint, and am thinking about how to use textiles, embroidery and texture more in my work, but I am scared at starting as I am lacking in technical skill. hopefully i will be inspired to just start anyway!

My Creative Manifesto

2009-08-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

With less time on my hands to be creative lately, I decided to focus my mind and come up with some thoughts on how to nurture and encourage my creativity.

And thus was born...... MY CREATIVE MANIFESTO!

I endeavour to.....

1. Stop living my life remotely through Facebook.

2. Set up a "creativity corner" in a quiet area of my flat. Make it entirely MY space. Equip it with inspiring books, postcards, trinkets, pens, journals sketchpads and chocolate. Make time to use this space daily once ruby has gone to bed, even if that is only to sit in it and breathe deeply for a few moments!

3. Have a pad in my creativity corner entirely for the purposes of doodling.

4. Plan my next solo exhibition, even if the reality of it is quite far off!

5. Get up to my studio once a week with Ruby in the sling.

6. Write more letters to friends.

7. Research exhibitions and gigs that are happening locally, and plan to get to some. daydream about the ones I can't get to.

8. Be entirely in the moment with Ruby when I am on my own with her. Be entirely in MY moment when I am alone with MYSELF

9. Make links with local artists.

Belly Casting

2009-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

It seems like an eternity ago now, but I forgot to blog about this when I did it.

Heres my belly cast from the end of my pregnancy.

I have some vague ideas of an art piece around this. A couple of years ago I did a scultural piece for the Open Exhibition with Studio Upstairs which was around body image and the media's skewed perception of what is and isn't beautiful or acceptable.

My thoughts are not clear, but I think I want to revisit these ideas, incorporating something to do with my pregnant form. I have never been so comfortable with my body as I was when I was pregnant, and I want to work with ideas around this.

Its always interesting when my work takes me in different directions other than painting. My ideas for my next solo exhibition feel a bit like this. I want to do something that is less about canvasses with the appeal for people to buy, and perhaps more about the content of the exhibition. Exhibiting for exhibitings sake, rather than to try and sell. I am much braver now around this and willing to take more risks with what I show. However, I think this next exhibition may take place in Bristol rather than Weston. Much as I like to shake people up, I'm not sure Weston is quite ready for some of my ideas!! I mean, if people can be freaked out or made indignant by some of my paintings (which are, in my opinion, mostly just colourful abstract imagary!) then heaven knows what they would make of some of my more "out there" ideas!

AH! So many ideas, so little time!

6 weeks and reality is returning

2009-08-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

So, Ruby is 6 weeks old as of Wednesday this week. Its been a whirlwind of wonderfulness, chaos, adjustment, joy, deliciousness, tears, terror and laughter!

I feel like I am beginning to raise myself back up into the world, blinking in the sunlight, and still feeling a bit dazed and confused. Nothing could have prepared me for this whole experience. Its been crazy-fantastic, full of hard work, worry and unsolicited advice!

I feel like I am in quite a creative mood at the moment, although obviously my time for this is severely limited. I have managed to make it up to my studio to paint 3 times so far, which doesn't sound much, but is a triumph as far as I am concerned! Its interesting to see what having a baby with me has done to my creative practice. An interesting development has come out of having to put Ruby first.... usually I find it hard to stop when I am painting, and I might ruin a canvas by not stopping at the point where the painting was interesting. Now, Ruby forces me to stop at random moments when I have to turn away from the work and turn my attention to feeding her or walking with her to soothe her. And the other day, I was sat down feeding her after stopping mid flow, and I had 20 minutes to just stop and look at my work. I had no choice. And it was GOOD, as I actually put away a painting that I may have ruined by over working.

I have a definate sense of not taking anything for granted anymore, be that my time at the studio, my relationship my husband and my relationships with friends. Things seem much more valuable and feel much more special.

It is a rich and creative period, if very tiring. I have a real sense in my studio of needing to clear out the old and make way for the new.

Its a new beginning in so many senses of the word.

Brand new

2009-07-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

RUBY

My greatest creative endeavour yet!

Today

2009-06-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

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!

Karen is....

2009-06-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

Waiting.

Cooking.

Reading.

Painting.

Thinking.

Snoozing.

Nesting.

READY...

Studio in crisis

2009-06-13T05:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

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!

Post North Somerset Arts Week musings

2009-05-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

I was involved in North Somerset Arts Week up at the Quarry, with open studios and an exhibition, and although it all ended over a week ago, its only now that I have felt the energy to blog about it.

It really drained me

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it too, its good to have people coming in and seeing the work, and this does bring with it a new kind of energy, but I was up there most days and just found it really tiring. Exhibiting, selling and going public with my work is probably the thing I struggle with the most about being a painter. And also, there is something really disconcerting about the fact that putting your stuff on a wall gives people free reign to say WHATEVER they wish. Again, I had lots of positive comments about my work and these were great to hear, but there were a few negatives in there too, and one or two people (you know who you are Vera!!) who gave it to me with both barrels!! I always find this a struggle. I know not everyone will like what I do, and it would be very strange and disagreeable if they did, but if I saw something I don't like when viewing art and the artist was stood right by it, I would never DREAM of being nasty to them about it! When I put my work on a wall, I'm putting up a big piece of myself, so when people dismiss it in such vocal terms, they are (unbeknown to them) directly dismissing ME. However, every time I exhibit, it gets easier I suppose, easier to feed off the positive comments, and easier to put two fingers up to the critics!

Musings on Identity

2009-05-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning thinking about the subject of identity, and my thoughts have stayed with this for most of the day, so I felt compelled to blog about it!

There are many thoughts connected with my sense of identity at the moment during this transitional period I am in. At the moment, I am neither a viewed as mother, or someone who no longer has children, and it is a bit of a strange no mans land to be in. I don't feel I yet have much in common with those with children and feel the urge to shy away from conversations around babies, yet I miss some of my friends who don't have babies and who already seem to view me as different from them and seperate. It feels a little lonely. And a big issue for me around this is my identity as an artist. I have had so many people tell me that when my baby is born, there is no way I will spend any time up at my studio. If I try and argue my corner with these people, they give me these patronising smiles that imply I am extremely naive and perhaps a little stupid. They OBVIOUSLY know better than me and scoff at my lack of knowledge!! But I AM planning on being at my studio…… I suppose I feel a little insulted when people state with such confidence in themselves that I won’t paint. My art is not a “nice little hobby” it’s an intrinsic part of who I am. Even when I am not actively working, my inner painter is always active, thinking, planning and being inspired. I can’t switch this off, and I feel that the people who are so negative have never felt this compulsion. It comes from the same place I guess as those who say “ooo, painting, that must be nice and relaxing.” You know what? Sometimes it is the biggest struggle of my life to keep painting, sometimes I get stuck, frustrated, angry and feel like I never want to paint again. Sometimes I feel blissful while painting, or in touch with deeper parts of myself that are hard to put into words, or shy, or energetic or a whole host of other things. But relaxing?? No. Never that!

Sometimes I question whether my attitude is selfish by having such a strong need to paint, and viewing it as just as important as taking care of my baby when he or she is here. My inner artist kind of rebels at being a mother, and wants to keep the two identities separate, probably out of fear of being forgotten, lost or diminished. But I know that inevitably these two identities will have to co-exist, and I don’t know at the moment if there will be a clash that pulls me in different directions, or will whether they will merge and compliment each either to enrich my art making in new ways.

Through talking to and reading about other artist mothers, I feel somewhat reassured. On talking about my fears with another painter up at the studio, she reassured me that “the art will call you back”. I am also influenced by Keri Smith, who wrote about her experiences on her blog of how your creativity is impacted by having a child. She speaks honestly about the difficulties (and despite what that doubters think, I KNOW things like lack of sleep and having a child with me will, at times, severly limit what I can do!!) but also the bonuses to ones creativity and inspiration, and she says that she

“believes one of the best gifts I can give to (her baby) is to allow my own creativity to flourish. Not necessarily in the all encompassing way that it did before. Now I have to shrink things down a bit to fit it into the time I have. But it is still a huge part of me and I am excited to share it more with him as he grows…… For me it came down to a question. Not "Will I have a child and still be able to create?", but instead, "Can I live with not having had that experience in my life?" and for me the answer was "no".

So after all my thinking today, I feel galvanised. I know it won’t be easy, but I am prepared to fight for my identity as an artist. I won’t be giving it up, how could I? It would be like giving up breathing, I cannot survive without it!! After all, in reference to my word of the year, my creativity is probably the biggest part of what makes me KAREN.

Long Time No Post....

2009-04-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

Its been ages since I last posted, hasn't it?

My world is a very busy one at the moment, and I suppose much of my energy has been turned inwards and on the very wriggly little life that is growing in me! But there is stuff going on..... I will do seperate posts for some of the current bigger things that are going on, but here is just a snapshot of things from my world that are NOT baby related...

HOLIDAY

We went away for our little jaunt to The Music Room down near South Hams for our wedding anniversary. It was a truely inspiring space, where lots of creative thoughts florished! During the week, we both got VERY sick for a couple of days, which sounds like it should have spoilt the week, but actually didn't at all. OK, so having a winter vomiting bug wasn't great , but what it did force me to do was to slow down almost to a complete halt and really rest, and I was reminded of how this is such a rarity in everyday life. It gave me so much clear thinking time.

I also spent lots of time unhurridly pampering myself in the bathroom... you know, lotions, potions, scrubs and lovely smells! It felt so good to shamelessly devote all that time to myself, not for vanities sake, but just to feel good. More of this sort of thing needs to occur in my everyday life, not just when on holiday. And it is no excuse to say I have no time..... this was another pretty media free week, certainly with no internet, and it occurred to me just how much of my time is taken up with mindless internet use when I could be doing other things. I guess that also explains my lack of posting here, as since my holiday I have spent much less time on the net, and not missed it much either!

MAKING A DEN

I used to love making dens when I was a child.... and it occured to me one night that there was no need for me not to make one just because I am a "grown up". So I made one.... filled it with delicious snacks, inspiring books, my Ipod, some paintings to look at, fairy lights and my journal. It was the best night in I have had in AGES!

BEES IN MY CAR

I haven't seen any bees in ages.... I heard there was a world wide honey shortage a while ago due to lack of bees. And then one day, driving along, I realised one was buzzing away in the back trying to get out. I parked up to let it out, opened my boot, and two more flew out. How odd. What were 3 bees doing in my car??

I will stop going off on tangents now and bring this post to a close. But I am back, and will post more soon about what else is happening in my world...

And it keeps on snowing...

2009-02-06T07:41:00.001-08:00

These pictures were taken today up at the Quarry where I have my studio..... it looked beautiful. Its just a shame that the actual reality of snow round here is that it quickly goes slushy and brown and walking in it makes me feel like i am going to fall over any minute!!

I wanted to paint up at the studio as I have a couple of paintings on the go that I really am into, but it was just WAY too cold. Think I'm going to spend the night tucked up in the flat. I'm feeling creative though, so think I am going to move away from the computer for now and think about how I can fulfil my desire for creating.....

A hot bubble bath is my first point of call!

Snowy day

2009-02-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

It sends Britain a bit bonkers when we have extreme weather condidtions, but I had to love todays snow. It NEVER snows where I live usually...... but today was
beautiful!

Back from the wilderness....

2009-02-03T13:28:00.001-08:00

My media fast is over and I am back in the world of the internet!

I will own up straigh away and say that my week wasn't completely media free. I ended up watching tele round at a friends house, but this was OK, as there was also plenty of conversation! I also had to jump on the net a few times as i had a work related mini-disaster (I lost the work camera cable!)and had to order something to replace it, so this required some internet time. Th last thing was that I ended up looking at Facebook for about 2 minutes, but I WAS looking at pics of my friends new born baby, so again, I give myself that one!

All in all, I managed it! It was a pretty busy week work wise for various reasons, so this proved a distraction. One thing I did find was that I find it incredibly difficult to just do nothing. For the first couple of evenings I felt quite restless, and needed to fill my evening, even if that was with creative stuff! So I learnt that i need to make more of an effort to rest and reflect. I did feel the pull to put the tele on a few times, as I guess I associate this with relaxation and (ironically) switching off.

The positive things that came out of the week were that we cooked more, we talked more, and we had a weekend of relaxing and doing things, rather than just wasting the time. We even managed to sit down and make a real plan that will help our finances. Some big decisions were made, yet the solution seemed so obvious. All we needed was some space to come up with it, and when time is being filled by media distraction, maybe the time is just not there. Its amazing what a bit of thinking time can do and the clarity it can bring!

I don't think I could ever totally cut media from my life, but I certainly plan to do this more often. After the week I felt lighter, clearer, inspired and motivated!

here's to the next "unplugged" time, its so important. I feel reconnected a bit mpre with the big wide world around me.

As Jack Bauer would say..... I'm going dark

2009-01-25T13:35:00.000-08:00

Right.

About to switch the computer off.

And not come back to it for a whole week. (apart from the one necessary EBay exploration!) Or the television for that matter....

Wish me luck, and see you on the other side, hopefully with lots of nice photos of all the creative things I have done in the week!

Studio Upstairs review...

2009-01-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

...took place this Thursday.
I really loved it! It was amazing to see so much of my work on the wall all in one place, its not often that I get to examine everything (well, a large chunk of stuff anyways!) and see all the links, occasional differences, themes and the way it all slots together. It was quite a process sorting out what was going up and what didn't make it, and I needed help with this to make sure I didn't just put in polished, finished pieces but included some less finished and often, more interesting ones. At first, when I was putting the work up with the help of the other volunteer, we were being really particualr about placement of work..... after three hours of this, we soon got to the stage of just slapping things up where there was space!! And then I had to speak about my work. I felt surprisingly relaxed about this, not nervous at all really, which I think is testament to the supportiveness of the studio environment as much as anything else. I was worried nobody would engage with me or ask questions, but they did. Other peoples responses, reactions and questions at times made me view my work in a different light, and it was great to talk about it and feel really proud of what I do. I managed to speak for nearly an hour and a half with all the audience participaton that came my way, which really surprised me!

It was a great experience, and a fitting way to round off my time at the Studio.

One more week to go......

>

look what happens when you make a little bit of time.....

2009-01-20T15:15:00.001-08:00

I have never made of of these before!

2009-01-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

Making time

2009-01-20T14:15:00.001-08:00

I often feel that I wish I had more time for things I enjoy, and not just work, chores etc. It feels like I never have enough time. However, when I really examine what I do with my spare time, a great deal of it is wasted. I have a bit of an internet addiction, but its never for anything exciting. I work mainly all day on a computer, then I get home and often spend half the evening on the internet, looking at Facebook, ebay and a chat forum I am part of. Its such a waste of time and I end up feeling guilty, but it has become an addiction, it is an easy way to fill up my hours and fill up my brain. But it is like fast food..... easy, instantly gratifying, but ultimately bad for you and fills you with bad stuff.

So, I am going to tackle this head on and do something I have been meaning to do for a while...... I am going to have a media fast.

THE RULES

For one week, starting from Monday 26th January....

1. I will not use the internet or the computer AT ALL when I return from work. (necessity means I HAVE to use a computer at work, but this period of my day does not count, only my spare time.)
2. I will not watch television of any kind, including DVD's.
3. I will make sure my mobile phone is on silent in the evening, and I will check it only once. (this will not prove hard, I am not really a mobile phone kind of girl, and I tend to do this anyway)
4. I will not read any magazines or newspapers.
5. I will visit the library at least once.
6. Books are allowed
7. Music is allowed
8. Talking on the telephone (not mobile though!) is allowed, as long as I am calling up old friends for a chat.

There will be one small concession to this which I will own up to, I will be checking my eBay account on Tuesday as I have a load of sales coming to an end! I did consider not starting the media fast until the week after because of this, but I feel if I don't do it while I am thinking about it, I will lose momentum again. (and it will be a nice surprise to see how much things sell for, rather than my usual thing of checking it half a dozen times every day!)

I am hoping to do this more often, maybe having one week a month with no media, or one night a week. We will see how it goes. I am already thinking about what I am going to do, and I am going to start with doing some of the creativity exercises from this book by Keri Smith. I love this book and always read it when I feel the need to be inspried. It has loads of creative exercises which I would love to do but then tell myself I have no time for. So next week, I will be making time.

Randomly, I also like the idea of setting up our small tent in the lounge and camping out in it one evening.

Wish me luck with all of this! Even more randomly, I am off to make an origami crane before I go to bed. Always wanted to learn how to do this, but never found the time.......

End of an era

2009-01-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

My thoughts at the moment are mainly focused on my last few weeks at Studio Upstairs, an artists community for people with mental health difficulties. I have been a volunteer artist at the studio now since October 2005, but my time there is coming to an end. I decided a while back that it was time to move on from the studio in order to devote more time and attention to my own studio at The Quarry. When people leave, they often have a review of their work up in order to see the development and focus on how the art has moved and changed during their time at the studio. So that it what I am preparing for, as my review is this Thursday! I am amazed at the sheer volume of work I have amassed, and my biggest headache is going to be how to condense it to give a good representation of my work. The space I have to hang in is pretty big, but then, so is a lot of my work! Its been interesting and surprisingly emotional getting out all of my old stuff.... there was so much I had forgotten about. I am feeling daunted, nervous, but also incredibly excited. I am planning on taking lots of photos of the review, so they will of course be up here soon!

I feel sad, as the studio has been a massive part of my life for so long and it will be a wrench to leave. I have met so many amazing, funny, interesting, courageous and inspiring people. My stereotypes of mental health have been challenged and broken down, and I am leaving behind lots of friends..... but I feel privileged to have been part of it, and its time for the future, and to focus on all the changes ahead in my year. Exciting times!!

No time like the present

2009-01-11T14:12:00.001-08:00

I went up to my Weston studio tonight to drop some stuff up there, and ended up painting for over an hour as well! I have a few old canvasses that i don't really like, so I decided to splatt paint all over them, obliterating the old images and coming up with new. And guess what? On one of them, I used some oil paint!

I had some really cheap stuff, so i didn't mind using lots, and I just applied it thikcly with a pallette knife. I can describe it like learning a new language. I know what the words are, but I am still learning, so the grammar is still difficult and I don't quite know what I am doing....I'm a long way off being fluent! But I liked the textures that were created, and I have started....

On oil paint and facing my fears....

2009-01-11T03:53:00.000-08:00

For a long time now, I have wanted to make the leap into using oil paints, but I have always found a reason not too, or have avoided the issue. I mainly work in acrylic, but I am not a 'techniquey' kind of girl. I am not a fine artist, I was never trained, so usually my way of working with a medium involves experimenting with it, rather than reading up on how to achieve effects. I also love experiementing with different ways of combining materials, such as painting acrylic over wet gloss paint of emulsion, combining the paint with textural elements such as material, wire, liquid latex..... hell, I have even been known to use washing up and bleach in a painting once, but I had had rather a lot of red wine at the time and was feeling more experiemental than normal! If truth be known, I know where I am with acrylic..... its safe, predictable and dependable. But sometimes, safe and predictable = boring.....

In all honesty, I find the thought of oils scary. Long drying times, having to use different thinning materials, not being able to mix them with water..... it feels very daunting. But whenever I see a painting in oil thatI like, I feel a real sense that I am missing out. The amazing textures that can be achieved and the vibrancy of the colours makes me feel so inspired. So I need to move out of my comfort zone. I need to start doing it. OK, so I will probably have to do something I hate and read up about some basic tips and techniques, but once I have a rough idea, my plan is to just go for it, and experiement in the way I normally do with paint. I'm scared, but I really need a change of direction!

My plan is for this all to begin in February. I'm leaving my volunteer artist role at Studio Upstairs at the end of the month, and don't feel I can focus on it until then. It will be a big wrench not being at the studio anymore as it has been a massive part of my life for over three years now, but the time has come to move on..... and the end of this period will hopefully mark the beginning of a new period of creativity. It's going to be hard, and my transition may be a painful one, but I am kind of excited too.

Bring on the turps and linseed oil!!

Gifts

2009-01-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

I had a friend round last night for a girlie night in, and quite unexpectedly she brought me gifts!! They were all pregnancy related, but for ME rather than the baby. Lots of things to help me chill and look after myself during the next 5 and a bit months. (Am I that far along already??)

It was a really thoughtful thing to do, and has refocused me on my goals to take better care of myself in the next year.

(However, frankly, the disposable underwear was not the most pleasant gift I have ever received!! A happy mix of practical yet deeply terrifying.......)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely New Year!

We spent it farm sitting at this beautiful spot near Perenporth in Cornwall with a couple of friends.....

It was quiet..... apart from this noisy pair!

Also, keeping us company were several of these....

A couple of these....

And a few of these!

It was a lovely, relaxed, quiet and chilled out start to the New Year, with good company and good food. A perfect start to what is going to be a much more introverted and "Karen" focused year!

Karen

2008-12-30T02:27:00.000-08:00

Karen Magazine

Karen Tribe in Burma/Thailand

The Karen Hill Tribes Trust

Hurricane Karen

Word for the year 2009

2008-12-29T16:14:00.000-08:00

I have been really struggling with choosing my word for 2009. I knew exactly what I wanted my word to represent, but was struggling to find a word that encompassed it all. I wanted a word that would encourage me to focus more on myself and what I want, and that would help me to rengage with my art and get me painting and creating again. I also want to focus on generally feeling healthy and promoting my wellbeing, both physically and emotionally. Its a lot to cover with one word!

Since I discovered I was pregnant, my world has shrunk a little. I have been feeling so sick that my days have been taken up with battling this and eating in order to stave off the nausea. I have also been quite involved in coming to terms with the changes that go along with imminent parenthood (GULP!) So there has been very little time to focus on me. I have also become aware of my desire to not completely lose my identity in becoming a mum. I don't want that to be the only thing that defines me, it is still important for me to be defined as an artist too, and to still fundamentally be ME, even though my priorities will clearly change.

Like I said, a lot to cover with one word!!

But the other night, a flash of inspiration came, and I thank Laura for it. I was telling her my problems with choosing the word and what I was thinking, and she said -

"Why don't you have 'Karen' as your word of the year?"

PERFECT!!! It covers everything! It basically reminds myself to spend lots of time focusing on, pampering, treating, nurturing, and generally looking after myself.

It may seem a bit comedic, perhaps a bit narcissistic, but it does fit, and is serious. And also is not just about me. There is no doubt my thoughts will often be focused on the new little person in my world, but if I remember my word, I am immediately reminded to focus on myself too. After all, how can I look after a new life if I have not properly looked after myself?

Film I HAVE to see in 2009

2008-12-22T15:24:00.000-08:00

Reflections on the change.

2008-12-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a great deal over the last few days what word I will pick as my word of the year for 2009. I'm not sure yet, but things are beginning to perculate in me. And speaking of things that are perculating in me, its time to make the announcement!

I think that provides some clues as to why my blogging has been somewhat sporadic of late!! My whole world has been filled with the thoughts, feelings, excitement, surrealness, terror and very real physical sensations (Morning sickness is such an understatement!!) that my creative side has gone rather AWOL. (welL, in the sense that I have not being doing much artwise, but I am definately creating in another sense!) I will post towards the year about how "change", my word of the year from 2008 has influenced me, but clearly, my current state of affairs is the most massive change that is possible!

So yes, i'm not sure of the 2009 word yet. But I know what I want for the next year. I want to re-engage with my creative process. I want to feel well and healthy. I want to do the best I can for this little person growing inside me, both while they are in and when they pop out!

So yes! there has been change in bucketloads......

its Christmas!

2008-12-11T07:36:00.001-08:00

Its been a funny few months,not much blogging has happened, but there has been a lot filling my little world. Stuff that is not yet ready for public consumption, but soon will be....

But Christmas is apon us....and I'm struggling to feel festive. We have both been hit really hard this week with the flu, so are hoping to be well enough to put a tree up this weekend and begin to get festive. But until then.....here is my little attempt to drag myself into Christmas 2008!

(P.S....just need to point out the fakeness of David's Tash!)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

How have I managed to miss the existence of this???

2008-11-30T13:37:00.001-08:00

http://www.thelloydgillgallery.com/index.html

Flikr fun from Laura's Blog

2008-11-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged for ages, but this got me inspired to... Thanks Laura

The rules:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into this mosaic maker.

The questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favourite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favourite colour?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favourite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favourite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

Post Paintworks musings

2008-11-02T14:21:00.001-08:00

Its over!!

It was a good day, there was a really positive vibe in the morning when all the other artists were bustling around and setting up. However, it was also LOTS of work, and I found it difficult spending all day manning the "stall". Its hard to know whether people want you to talk to them or leave them alone to look, and it was agony when someone was looking at a piece of work and deciding whether to buy it or not. I found it quite hard! But there were also lots of positive comments. I particularly enjoyed meeting some art students who were just starting out and who were keen to know how I create some of the effects and textures in my work. Chatting to them was fun, and made me feel fired up and excited. Its amazing to be told you have inspired someone!

All in all, a good day, but I'm glad I have no artistic commitments now for the forseeable future. I am already beginning to contemplate my next exhibition, but for now, it is such a relief to just be able to create what I want, and not have to worry about displaying or selling.

Just creating.....

Paintworks Autumn art market

2008-10-23T14:12:00.001-07:00

..... is almost upon me! wow! So much to do this weekend.....

Needing a break

2008-10-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been manic, what with Waz departing, the art market to prepare for, my bosses bombshell that she is leaving..... so much change, and not much of it the kind you can anticipate. We are both tired, and in real need of a holiday. Not sure when that will happen, as we have to get through a funeral first and the arrival back in the country of Dave's parents, so it may not happen this year. But as least we have something to look forward to......

We have booked a fantastic place down in South Hams in devon for our 4th Wedding anniversary in February. Here is the bumpf about it....

The property:
... a mile from Aveton Gifford, two very special places to stay within what was once a small family estate: an exceptionally well converted barn and a remarkable Grade II listed former music room. 300 yards down a tree-lined track off a lane, they flank a large pretty enclosed suntrap courtyard with fountain, flowers and flowering shrubs, shared with the friendly owners. Just outside the courtyard is a lawned walled garden (also enclosed) with camellias, fig and walnut trees, leading to another garden and 6 grassy acres with big trees to sit under. Spring water.

The Music Room is magnificent: detached, huge and incredibly romantic, once home to concerts and recitals, brilliantly converted. Three steps up to entrance into open-plan living/dining/kitchen with vaulted stucco ceiling, four massive arched windows with stained glass border running the length of the room (46' x 19') generating light and colour, polished wooden floor (rugs), large open fireplace, comfy sofa, home cinema, books, CD player, MP3/iPod; smart, discreet, fitted kitchen area (dishwasher, microwave); door to bathroom (suite with 5’ moulded bath plus bath-shower). The bedroom is the stage (up 3 steps), with 5' four-poster bed, all stunningly presented and lit.

And here are the pictures.....

I can't wait!

TAFKA "Waz"

2008-10-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite stories of Dave's grandad (Who i never called anything other than "waz")......

We were at a family meal. I hadn't been with Dave very long, so I was on best behaviour and a little nervous. Waz saw a friend, and proceeded to introduce him to everyone round the table. When it came to me, Waz paused. I wasn't sure how he was going to introduce me, but i certainly wasn't expecting this....

"And this is Karen, Dave's......hows yer father!" I mean, if there was any ambiguity, he could have just said friend!

He was also one of the only men on earth who could get away with calling me a "georgeous bit of fluff".

We will miss you Waz, you were a fine gentleman!

Observing the observation

2008-10-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

One of the most difficult things about hanging my work on the wall is being around people when they are looking it and commenting on what they see. Often I think that I will try and linger near people who are looking at the work so that I can eavesdrop on what they are saying in response to the piece of artwork, but I am never usually brave enough. Its great to hear positive comments, but the negatives can be really difficult to hear. OK, the more hangings and exhibitions I do the better I get at not taking negative criticism to heart, but sometimes i still am amazed at how cutting people can be. The work is public property as soon as it gets on a wall, and some people feel absolutely no need to censor their opinions!! This year with "99,000" I felt much braver at hearing peoples responses to it. The piece itself was quite playful and not at all personal unlike much of my work, so I was much less likely to be affected negatively. Some people did not get it and were looking for the deeper meaning, some people commented on the drawing itself and lots of people saw the humour in it, which was exactly the response I wanted.

But it is always interesting to see how people respond. Some people walked straight past it, others lingered infront of it for ages (perhaps looking for the hidden meaning whaich was not there!) others engaged in conversations with their companions about the work. Part of me would love to know what they were saying, the other half is not brave enough. Perhaps I will get more brave the more exhibitions I do. Perhaps not! But I KNOW I will always find it interesting to observe other people as they observe a little part of me I have placed on the wall.....

Post Exhibition Musings

2008-10-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Its been a long time since the exhibition, and I have been meaning to blog, but sometimes life gets in the way. I think I need to blog a bit more about what has been happening, but all I do know is that my thoughts are being brought back to "change" on a regular basis at the moment....

But on to the exhibition. It was a great show, and poignant as it will be the last one I will be taking part in as a studio volunteer. I spent pretty much the whole weekend just hanging out at the studio taking it in, drinking tea and eating cake, chatting and absorbing the exhibition. I think this years show was the best yet, and I look forward to seeing how artists at the studio grow and develop over the next few years. It has been the be st three years of my life at the studio, and I will miss it greatly.

The hanging

2008-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

Today I have been spending the day helping with the hanging of the Open Studio Exhibition.

The show looks AMAZING.

As ever, I am filled with pride to be part of such a fantastic place, but this years hanging was tinged with sadness due to it being my last ever before I leave. I think it is going to be an emotional weekend, and I can't WAIT to get photos up of it!

Reflecting on the change...

2008-09-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

The other day at the Bristol studio I was thinking about how things are changing for me. And then I was reminded that my word for this year is change. I suppose I haven't thought about the word too much, and I certainly haven't blogged much about it, but my sudden realisation was that it was perhaps a HIGHLY appropriate word to sum up what is happening for me, and what has been happpening for me this year.

In places, this year has been quite difficult. Nothing bad has happened, its just that our plans for a massive life changing event have gone off the boil somewhat. Our original plan at the beginning of the year was to sell up and move to New Zealand, with not much more of a plan that "see what life throws at us". So in earnest, we set about completely doing up the flat. This was quite a difficult process in so many ways. And then once it was done? Well, a housing market crash has ensured that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING has happened with the flat, and it looks pretty likely that nothing will! The year has been difficult in places, because we had such a clear plan, and then the fact that we couldn't follow through with it left me restless and felt difficult. Like we were standing on the spot. Add to that the biggest creative block I have EVER experienced, and its not been easy.

But now, I'm beginning to think things have worked out exactly as they should have. At times, I began to doubt our plans. I kind of felt like we were moving away to find a better life, but all the signs here were pointing at how good we have it. My studio space in Weston has taken off, I am much more involved in exhibiting, I am COMPLETELY over my creative block and have more ideas than ever, Dave working from home means we have a good work life balance, and my job is going really well too. The kind of job an artist needs to support them is one that does not demand too much, pays reasonably well and is not too consuming. And that is what i have, and my art fits round it well. Also, we have so many friends and family here. I kept asking myself what we were going away to gain, and I couldn't always answer.

But back to the Bristol Studio. I reached a decision which has been brewing for a while. I have decided to leave the studio. It will be a huge wrench, its been a massive part of my life for over three years, but it is time to move on. It feels right to dedicate more of my time to my exploration in my own studio at the Quarry. I have loved volunteering and the studio will always be part of me, but its time to focus my energies on myself.

So big change is happening, despite our original plan for big change not happening! I feel I am on the brink of a new creative era in lots of different ways. I guess I have gained lots of confidence from being part of Studio Upstairs, and now I feel ready to go it alone, confident in the knowledge I can do it.

There are other undercurrents of change that are perculating, it feels like a creative time in many ways, and my mind is turned towards the future.

I know the changes that are coming may be painful, potentially difficult and probably challenging, but the change feels important.

The worst thing I could ever feel creatively is stale.

CHANGE ensures things stay fresh!

And on that note, its quite a busy month for me!

2008-09-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend coming I am taking part in the Windmill Hill Arts Trail in a group exhibition with Studio Upstairs, and then the weekend after that is is the Studio Upstairs Open Exhibition weekend!

Its all go!!

New Work

2008-09-23T09:54:00.001-07:00

Not sure if this work will be going into the art market, its a little "out there" and maybe not too commercial! But I like them! They have come out of my experiments with collecting words and phrases from magazines and newspapers, and then creating paintings, collages and drawings based around them. There are two others, but I can't post photos of them yet as they have been submitted for the Windmill Hill Arts Trail.

They are a bit of a departure for me, a bit of a change..... and speaking of change , I think its time to reflect on my "word of the year"...

Paintworks Autumn Market

2008-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'm spending a lot of my creative time and energy on getting ready for the Paintworks Art Market. Today was mounting some prints of my paintings.

I'm excited! There is lots I need to do, but its coming together.....

Homemade

2008-09-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today I received my last birthday present from my husband. You know how sometimes men get it really wrong when buying presents? Dave has an uncanny knack of getting it really right.

He noticed I had commented on Facebook on a photo of a bag made by my American friend Laura, who I met many moons ago whilst being a summer camp counsellor in my year out from Uni. There then ensued a flurry of emails secretly back and forth between the two of them. She designed and made a bag especially for me, and I had no idea!! I absolutely ADORE it! The thing with my new bag is that it is not perfect, but the slight imperfections in the sewing just add to it in my opinion. It was made with love, there is not another one exactly like it in the world, and this makes it really, really special!

And it set me thinking about all things homemade. After checking Laura's stuff out on Etsy , I began to browse through lots of other things, like clothes, jewellery, art...... And it set me thinking about how I really would like to do more in terms of buying things from crafts people, things that are homemade, one offs, quirky, but most of all, NOT mass produced. There are lots of reasons this feels important, but a main one is my increasing dissatisfaction with the consumer culture we live in, where we are constantly being coerced into buying more and more and more stuff. I am aware I will always be affected by this mentality ( and I can't help but LOVE shopping for all things pretty!) but I am going to make a concious effort and decision to buy more things second hand or handmade. After all, I am an artist, so I should be doing whatever I can to support the cause of those who share my passion!

Oh! And did I mention The Murder Mystery?

2008-09-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

More Pictures from the ball

2008-09-15T09:41:00.000-07:00

Back to reality

2008-09-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Wow, I haven't done a post in AGES! How neglectful of me!

Well, I'm writing this the day after my 31st birthday. (Feels like yesterday I was writing that post for my 30th!) It was a great day, I went to a masked ball for the Weston Operatics Centenery celebrations last night. Always fab to put on a pretty dress, georgeous heels and then dance to live music while quffing vast quantities of free wine on ones birthday! I actually made the mask I am wearing, I don't think the pic here does it justice so will take some more photos of it, but I was really pleased with it and really enjoyed making it.

It was a cracking night!

As for the exhibition which the previous post mentioned? Well, I could say lots, but lets just say that I learnt A LOT. I believed before I did this that any chance of getting my paintings on a wall was a good opportunity. Now I have learnt that in future I need to be much more selective, and only take on exhibitions if they are going to be good for me. This one left me with a lot of pieces to pick up!

Its been a busy few weeks, and I have been taking a breather today before launching back into it all tomorrow. I don't know what the year ahead holds, but I know I need to focus it on creativity and studio time, which is going to mean less time spent on the internet I think. I have a few opportunites coming up, including the Paintworks Autumn Art Market, which I am really looking forward to, but will require lots of work over the coming month to prepare for it. So, my aim is to hit that full pelt, and then spend the rest of the year "chilling out" a bit in creative terms, reading, walking, only doing things that interest me, exploring and being experimental. And probably a bit hermit like, as the winter months draw in. I also now have my EBay shop thanks to my wonderful husband, who works as hard at my art career as he does at his own!

Its amazing how quickly the year has gone.

I don't know what next year holds, but I think I want to focus much more energy on exhibiting. It feels important. But, like I said, only on my terms this time, and definately not with strange, aggressive, drunken dada-ists!!

More than I bargained for.....

2008-08-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

I'm involved in an exhibition.

Its taking place this Sunday.

I'm feeling really anxious about it.

I kind of wish I had never got involved in the first place.

The words "flakey" and "space cadet" do not get get close to describing the guy organising it.

But it could be OK. I might sell something.

I need to put a positive head on.

After all, it has been a learning experience no matter what!

And what this whole thing has done is make me thirsty to exhibit again. I am finally out of my creative block. that was a scary time! I have ideas coming thick and fast. I am painting like a demon. I'm doing some work like I have never done before. It feels like I'm onto something! And I must post someof this new work soon, but for now, if you are reading this, wish me luck and good karma for Sunday, I think I will need it! Right, back to it.......

Day Trip take three

2008-08-11T13:08:00.001-07:00

Have never been to The Bristol Balloon Fiesta, so this year we went....

It was an amazing sight.....

Day Trip take two

2008-08-11T12:56:00.001-07:00

Inspired by Lauras recent visit, we went to Bristol Zoo for the day! I have sooooo many favourite photos from the day, so it was hard to select my favourites to post!

Day Trip take one

2008-08-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

...was to the Tutenkhamun exhibition at The O2 in London for Daves 30th, but I have no photos of that!

Growing...

2008-08-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

I looked at this again today in the studio, and had a realisation...

Aesthetically, it's finished. Conceptually, it is not!

I really like the look of it and think that if I work on it more it might not look as good. But if I leave it, then the concept of 99,000 is ruined. The image has won, rather than me emerging victorious.

Sigh! What to do?

Gone...

2008-07-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

What a sad day for my hometown today. Our pier, the main tourist attraction, burnt down to rubble. I could see the whole thing from my window, and it was completely surreal

So sad, and the town feels in mourning today...

Piano man

2008-07-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

My man is not a painter, but that does not mean he is not a creative soul! Not many people know this, but he is an excellent piano player. I love the fact that he plays nearly every day, so our flat is often filled with his music. But he doesn't play for the recognition or glory, so really, I am the only one priviledged to hear him play. I can often tell his mood depending on what he plays. I can totally tune in with him, as I think his piano playing must feel to him what it feels like for me when I am immersed in the process of painting. In terms of creativity, his playing makes me feel like we are kindred spirits. I don't think i could be with someone who was not really a creative soul, and I am lucky to have him!

The process of 99,000

2008-07-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

The other day at the studio, still in the midst of the scariest creative block I have ever experienced, I was scribbing on a page, trying to break my block. I found the phrase "the mental block" in a magazine, so, as it summed up what I was feeling when creating the piece, stuck it in the middle of the drawing. This began an idea..... What if I stuck a random word or phrase onto the paper first and used that as the inspiration for the work? This seemed interesting. So I merrily set about cutting out lots of words from magazines in order to start this off. And one thing I cut out jumped out at me, and the idea was immediate. 99,000. What if I tried to draw 99,000 circles onto the page?

I think I had no real idea what I was talking on. Now that I am involved in creating the work, the task seems immense! Why on earth did, say, the number 420 not jump out at me?! But the whole thing is amusing me and making me narked off in equal measure! Its all gone a bit conceptual. Its making me feel just a little bit crazy, and very autistic. In order to keep count, I am marking every 100 circles, so the back of the page is beginning to look like when somebody marks the days off when they are in prison or something...However, this counting thing is forcing me to draw in a very different way. I have to concentrate on that, so I'm more concerned with not losing count than with how the drawing looks. It feels quite medatitive, and I'm finding that all these ideas are flowing into my head as I'm doing it. I finally feel like my block is lessening, I've got ideas, I can envision a whole exhibition based around these ideas, I'm enjoying the humour and not taking my work so seriously. So despite feeling mad, being extremely obsessive compulsive and often feeling like my arm is going to drop of throughout, it feels good! Its a real battle of wills between me and the idea. Will I manage to make it to 99,000, or will it send me so insane that I totally lose it?!?

For now, its gone in as one of my submissions for this years Studio Upstairs open studios. It not finished, its only on 20,000. (Yes. I am aware I sad that I know the figure) But at the moment, it looks great, really colourful, and has been provoking lots of curiosity and conversation in the studio, so we will see if it gets selected. If not, then thats OK too. I know it will be displayed at some point, if its not selected it means that its not meant to be seen until it is finished. And as Dave pointed out the me, unlike 99% of my work, at least I will definately know when 99,000 is finished!!

99,000

2008-07-10T15:57:00.001-07:00

I am wondering if it was a wise move taking on the 99,000 drawing......

The process of letting go...

2008-07-07T14:01:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it is hard to let go of my paintings. Its a quandry really, because if I am to be a "success" as an artist, I need to be a lot more businesslike about selling and making money. It costs money to do what I do, and I need to make money in order to keep on buying materials so that I can make more, progress with my ideas, challenge myself and keep creating. Yet often the paintings are so hard to say goodbye to, as they can be really personal. Also, im not going to say a painting is finished until it is at a point where I am happy with it. If I am getting pissed off with it or feel it is not working, then more often than not I obliterate it with layers of paint, and keep on repeating this process until it is finished. This often means that I like the piece a lot (some obviously more than others!) or at the very least, I have a some sort of emotional attachment to it. There are some paintings that are mine and will never be for sale, but I have to be ruthless and only keep the ones which are special to me. I guess as much as I do my painting for my own satisfaction and self expression, part of being a painter is to display work and make it available for others. Plus, if I never got rid of work, I would soon run out of room in my flat!

This weekend, my uni housemates came to stay. (It was a fabulous weekend of red wine, silliness, belly dancing in the park, deep and meaningful conversation, wig wearing and laughter, but thats another story) As part of Charlies 30th birthday, I offered her a painting of her choice as a present. Some things I couldn't let be part of the selection, but I couldn't just let the choice be between paintings I valued least, so the risk was she would choose a painting that would be hard to part with. She made her shortlist, and one of them was one I love...... my gut feeling was that this would end up being "the one" and I was not wrong!

I'm thrilled that she picked one she really liked. Its flattering when someone loves something you do, and I knew this was how she felt about it. Its also nice to think of her seeing that painting everyday and being reminded of me. She and Hannah are great friends who I miss dearly, and in a way, this reminder will somehow keep the connection between us. But I can't help but grieve for it a little bit! Its not in my world any more.

And yes I KNOW its just a painting....... but it is also a little bit of me I sell or give away when a painting gets a new home. And that can bring up all sorts of expected and unexpected feelings!

This artist malarky sure is challenging!

The Delays

2008-06-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

My new favourite band......

I just LOVE what these boys do with paint!!

My goodness....

2008-06-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

i'm feeling creative at the moment! Recently someone invited me to tell them all about my art and my creative process.... it was hugely cathartic, and has made me desperate for my studio, yet unable to switch off my brain for all the thinking it made me do! Pretty curious about what is going to come out in the next few weeks!

Duke?

2008-06-16T14:33:00.001-07:00

http://www.kerouacsdog-magazine.co.uk/

Card making

2008-06-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

But not as we know it.......

A card created for a member of the studio who is leaving. She is a special person who has a big impact on me, so I put lots of things into the card, including effort! Its made on a background of watercolour paint, with silver wire, beads, basic gray paper, tissue paper and sculpture elements. I'm pleased with it!

New (ish) works

2008-06-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

I was going through my folder today to take photographs of some of my other work. I think perhaps I give too much credit to my work that is on canvas, and not enough to stuff that is less "finished" or that would need framing in order to hang. So here is a celebration and a sneak peek at some of the other stuff I have been up to recently...

I promise...

2008-06-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

OK..... so several bland, vain, shallow nobodies only in love with themselves, a blind transvestite, an albino black man, a token fat person and a girl who can do nothing but scream at everyone......

Im not going to say who I am talking about, but I SWEAR that I am not going to give them a moment of my time this summer.

ZIP

NADA

NOTHING.

I really do have better thingsa to do than sit and induldge their egos, so I promise I will not be watching!

Raining....

2008-05-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

Guess what? It was raining up at the studio today!! So I had another REALLY productive painting session!

RIP Beryl....

2008-05-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7424091.stm

"I feel much better when I'm painting. It isn't why I paint. I paint because I like doing it, but at the same time I wouldn't be worrying about anything else - only my painting." Beryl Cook

Beryl's fans have started to fight back against the art snobs who have given her work the cold shoulder.

In 2007 they launched a campaign against the Tate Modern in London for spending thousands of pounds on a can of conceptual human excrement, and not buying a single painting by Beryl Cook.

The artist reamined unconcerned, however: "I don't see the point actually," she said. "What would they do with one of mine I ask you. And anyway, how can I compete with tins of you know what! Unless I paint them!"

For Beryl, it was not the idea of seeing her paintings hanging at the major galleries which thrilled her - it was the enjoyment they bring to people.

"They actually do still cheer people up and I'm awfully pleased about that." (taken from the BBC Culture Show interview)

I found out today that Beryl Cook died..... so its not fashionable to like her, but I always have. She reminds me not to get pompous about painting and why I do it, despite us having wildly different styles.

I felt quite sad when I heard....

Yamash!

2008-05-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

Got back from Greece a couple of days ago...

It was such a good holiday! Lots of sun, swimming in the sea, relaxing, reading, cocktails and good food! And now I feel ready to come back to reality, as this holiday has made me feel rejuvinated.....

My new favourite thing.....

2008-05-24T04:31:00.000-07:00

Is being up at my art studio painting whilst the rain hammers down outside. The roof there has little corregated skylights, and the sound of the rain is amplified so it sounds much heavier than it probably is. But theres something about it, a bit like that feeling when it is raining heavilly outside and you are tucked up in bed! I loved it up there yesterday.....

Studio Upstairs.... Visual Arts gallery is LIVE!

2008-05-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

The Studio Upstairs gallery is now live!! And I'm on it!

Check it out by visiting the link in my favourites here on the blog

Camping musings

2008-05-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

Had such a good weekend. It didn't matter that the weather wasn't great, it was just good to get away and be reminded yet again of why I love camping so much. Its all about living in the moment and getting back in touch with what you want to be doing and what your body needs, rather than rushing from place to place and being too busy to stop and think. And bad weather can sometimes add to the expereince I think. There is nothing quite like being tucked up in a warm bed with the the noise of the rain falling inches from your head, but knowing that you are warm and dry and cosy..... sigh! I love camping! I love sitting round a stove, fire or BBQ with friends, just talking and laughing and drinking late into the night, no need for TV or computers to provide entertainment. I love waking up really early, having no idea what time it is, but just getting up because it is light and I have heard that there is a brew imminent! I love being scruffy and not showering and not caring what I look like. I ESPECIALLY love getting home and then having the longest bath in the world, and then stepping out and feeling cleaner than I have ever felt......

I learnt to properly knit this weekend, and I intend to keep going with it. Don't know if I am going to be any good, but i plan to persevere and find out.

Also, i had a moment which I want to hang on to. Its difficult to explain, but it involved a frantic search for chocolate, the Jurrassic Park theme and laughing so hard because of a funny (yet too hard to describe) moment which tied all five people together in mutual hysterics. I remember turning to Dave and telling him how I wanted to record this moment somehow (the Ipod was playing "My baby just cares for me" by Nina Simone) and think back on it if I was ever feeling down in order to remind me that life is actually OK. I'm rambling, and the only other people who may get what I am saying are the four others who were there, but I felt really alive in this moment, and had a feeling that life is just sweet!

So, thanks to Dave, Dave, Lor and Ant for making this a great weekend. May it be the first of many adventures this summer!

Guess what I got up to this weekend?

2008-05-05T10:05:00.001-07:00

This........

Led to this.......

Mind you, there was some of this involved......

OPAM

2008-04-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

I liked the post on Tara's website today. I won't go into too much detail, but she was talking about her idea of doing one project a month.

I like this idea.

I guess I put way too much pressure on myself in terms of trying to get things done. And then what I end up doing is barely keeping up with all the day to day stuff. The bigger projects seem to always get left, as I am left with no time. So I'm going to try and take this idea of OPAM - One Project a Month.

The first project for May? Getting rid off all that clutter finally, be it carboot, ebay, charity or recycling. Lets see how it goes......

Happy Friday!

2008-04-25T02:14:00.000-07:00

Visual Inspiration

2008-04-13T16:25:00.000-07:00