Thursday 25 September 2008

The end of a era.

















That's it, empty, all gone, what now?
Will it reopen we don't know, mean while my sculptures and some paintings are in storage in Alford. As for the rest they're in the spare bed room waiting to be logged and photographed, then put up on a website.
It was quite sad saying good bye to the other artists in the studios, we said we keep in touch, but shall we who knows. Most have got new spaces else where, I am waiting to see what comes up. The council seems to be saying we should be back in in 18 months, whether we do is another matter.
For my self now I'm out it would make sense to try and find some where nearer home, because of my health challenges.
More stuff has gone missing since my last visit to the studio. A inside job is looking favorite at the moment for the latest things. I have only lost a gallon of PVA glue and a canvas stretcher this time, but other artists have lost stuff as well. A artist put a chair in the passage to take to his car went back in his room for a couple of minuets and his chair had disappeared.
One artist was filling a van with what ever she could, stuff that other artist had to get back off her. This leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, I thought every one in there could be trusted.
At the moment I feel a little lost, the studio was where I was just an artist. It was where I could immerse my self in my art, and leave any worries or duties behind. But as funny as it my seem I think something good will come out of it.
So here's to the future and what ever it brings

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Feeling sad























Sleeper iv 2004 fabric and resin.
The 9ft sculpture that had to go in the skip



I'm feeling sad.
I am or should I say, Andy and my brother-in-law John are emptying my studio tomorrow. I will have to be ruthless with some of my stuff. Stuff I don't need but have become apart of me, and my studio. Silly things like a part of a ex sculpture that was exhibited for the Vagina Monologues a few years ago. Two armatures for life size sculptures I was working on, and very sadly a nine foot, very dominant, figurative sculpture, too big to take away and store. Two large solid wood work tables, my easy chair and cupboards. Oh so sad. I will get over it but I,m not looking forward to going tomorrow, it will be so very hard. It was my space, where my creativity flowed and was apart of who I am.

Monday 15 September 2008

Viv's got a distinction


















Viv our eldest daughter has got a distinction for her Masters in Science, her love for lichen and all things fungi has paid off. What's fantastic is, that she did it in a year while suffering from migraines and she had a small stroke!
She applied for a job in the research of lichens in the environment, last week, right down her street or wood or hill top.
Yaaaaaa, she got it and starts in December, at the Botanics in Edinbough.

Thursday 11 September 2008

Dressed and ready


















A bad photograph of a detail of painting I've been working on today (4ft x 1ft) 30cm x 122cm)oil on board


Last night Andy was running through a presentation he was giving today at a well being day, for Life Coaches. He is the creator of a coaching module/program (I'm not sure of the correct terminology for it) designed for professional coaches, called WISER. He has coached me with this tool some time ago (over a year may be two) the session we had was very powerful and gave me strength to create through the challengers I have with health and self belief.
So I'm dresses and ready to paint. I have the paints out, I've got my painting clothes on, and now, I'm too tired! So I'm off to bed and see what a couple of hours sleep will do.
Can't sleep images of what I'm putting down on board are keeping me awake. I tried to meditate to take my mind off it and get to sleep, but no chance. So up I get and start finishing a painting that I started last year before I had a relapse.
God it feels good to get the burning desire to paint and get the images out of your head into reality. I might need to do some tweaking here and there, but I'm quite happy to say it's the first painting I done since last year.
When I finished I thought my head may explode, the pain from concentration was immense. I needed to put cold compresses on my head and neck and lie down. But this is the price I have to pay to create then so bee it. I can't not paint when the images are so strong. It's like ignoring a friend in need or unable to kiss the one you love.
It has to be done I'm unable to turn my back on it, I have tried in the past but that's not who I am.

Monday 1 September 2008

Wedding Anniversary

34 years, we been married 34 years yesterday, I can't believe it! Time seems to have gone so quickly, having said that our wedding day does seem thirty four years ago though. I can hardly remember much of the day it's self. I can remember it raining all morning drying up just in time. Plus Andy's family all been in the pub when I arrived at the church, I had to go around the block three times before one of our friends got them into the church. We went on honeymoon that evening only to find when we were getting ready for bed one of my relations had taken out my hair brush and some how took Andy's comb. Not a big deal you may think, the only thing was our hair was very long and mine had been pin up and covered in hair spray. We were unable to buy a brush and comb until the following Wednesday, it was hell. One thing I do know is that I would marry him allover again.