Well, That Was a Busy Few Weeks...

I seem to have blinked and suddenly we are halfway through September!!

The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, with exhibitions, teaching, Open Studios, film, painting and all the usual bits and pieces that seem to find their way into an artist's life. And just when I thought I knew what September was going to look like, life had a couple of other ideas.

At the end of July, I was delighted to be part of The People's Gallery at Rosehill Theatre, which continues until 25th September. I'm showing A Lot of Potential, and I always enjoy seeing work out of the studio, and in a completely different space. Paintings seem to take on a life of their own once hung on real walls outside of the studio. 

There was also Whitehaven Weekender at the end of August where I spent two days creating a large interactive community artwork. We invited people to get involved and make their own mark and it was great watching the bigger picture evolve as more and more people made their contributions.

Then it was off to Dedham Hall in Suffolk for another 3 day residential painting course. I was covering for my friend Soraya again, and had a lovely group of thirteen artists to keep me on my toes.

We began by talking about what we thought were the elements of a good painting. From there and without getting too technical, we explored composition, tonal values, simplifying shapes, colour and contrast, working in acrylics, and eventually mixed media. By the final day we were breaking a few rules, which is always one of my favourite things to encourage!

I barely had time to unpack before Eden Valley Open Studios began. I spent several days at the studio, met some lovely visitors and even waved goodbye to one of my little plein air sketches of Dodd Wood. There is something particularly satisfying about selling one of those small paintings made outside, probably while battling wond, insects, and rapidly changing Cumbrian weather.

Meanwhile my film Fragments Of Belonging has found another home! The film is showing at The Rum Story in Whitehaven as part of their reimagined exhibition. This feel particularly special. Fragments of Belonfing grew from questions around identity, migration, memory, and belonging and having it shown in a place whose history is so intertwined with movement, trade, colonialism, and the connection between West Africa, the Caribbean, and Whitehaven feels very appropriate. 

And then there was another lovely bit of news for Fragments of Belonging. My short poetry film, The Ones Who Still Ask received it's first festival laurel. It's always slightly strange sending work out into the world and then getting on with everything else while you wait to see what happens to it. So seeing that laurel sitting alongside the film felt rather special. A small thing perhaps, but definitely one of those moments worth stopping to enjoy.

And then there was the knee...

After months of waiting, my knee replacement was finally booked for 11th September. I organised everything around it, finished teaching, planned Open Studios around it, prepared myself mentally and practically and then two days before the operation... it was cancelled!

Oh well... I have a new date for 2nd October so we shall try that again!

I've save the best for last!! September had something rather special up it's sleeve. On 11 September, while I was not having my knee replaced, my first grandchild Harlow arrived!! So I have become a grandmother! I've already made the trip down to Wellingborough to meet him and needless to say - he is absolutely gorgeous!

So yes it has been a busy few weeks!

Now I'm back in the studio, looking at the paintings, the unfinished work, and all the ideas waiting for me. I've got a couple of weeks before the new knee date, and I'm hoping that somewhere amongst the admin, applications and everything else, I might actually manage to do the thing all of this revolves around... PAINT!!

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