Algorithms be damned

dark interiors

Dear Readers,

It's another cold but bright start to the day. The coffee is hot, and the fake fire hums. This past week was fairly quiet, but the theme of connection buzzed throughout.

After I posted my blog last Friday, I walked over to see my talented pals Fiona Thompson and Chris Donnelly of Cyan Clayworks. Their studio is warm, bright, and inviting - just like them. Their pal, Craig Peebles, was also visiting. Craig is the founder of Welby & Wright, an encaustic tile maker, master tiler, and artist. It was lovely to be welcomed into the fold with mince pies, tea, laughs, and art chat on a Friday afternoon. I even left with a flock of Chris' wee chickens and plan to go back later today for one or two more in yellow!

If you are local to Leith/Edinburgh or passing through, make plans to visit Fiona and Chris, as well as the many other talented artists and creative businesses taking part in the upcoming Leith Creative Trail.

After chatting with all of them, I stopped by Malt & Hops (est. 1747) to enjoy their coal fire and have a non-alcoholic beer. I've always loved this pub; the warm, dark interior feels like an embrace.

The weekend consisted of a bit of charity shopping, painting, and reconnecting with my fellow artists and patrons online. I managed to share two posts on Instagram and Facebook; somehow, I hadn’t posted to my Instagram grid since 23 June.

In case you missed it, here's what I wrote and posted.

Photo from a dear patron showing one of my paintings in their home in Holland.

"Hello, my dear and wild friends - I hope this finds you. I’ve been thinking about this space and how I use it. I miss how we used to connect, but I also loathe the platform - and the algorithm can fuck off. I haven’t been making “content” lately, and I’m trying to find a way back to you, grounded in our shared care. Maybe this is a start: if you see this, could you drop a comment or an emoji? Thank you for your years of support for my painting." 

It was wonderful to hear from so many folks - with a total of 153 emojis and approximately 67 comments between the platforms. I really needed that sense of connection to remind me of the importance of community building in my art practice.

I posted this as a follow-up. 

Photo from a lovely patron showing one of my paintings in their home in England

"Thank you for your kind, encouraging comments on my recent post. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many of you, from early supporters to more recent friends. It truly means the world. Your support keeps me painting through storms and opportunities alike.

These days, I'm taking a slower, more intentional approach - algorithms be damned. I'm still here, making work in fits and starts, and I can't wait to share it with you."

And again, I was met with a sense of community. 89 emojis and 7 comments across the two platforms. If you commented or reacted to the posts this week, thanks again. It's not about numbers; it's about connection, and it gave me a needed boost and a reminder to reach out.

Due to my postings, I was also contacted by and learned about a new community arts space in Glasgow called MOMO. According to the organiser, they are a small space in an area of Glasgow not normally associated with art, and they are attempting to find a community of folks who not only love art but also want to participate. I can appreciate that ethos and understand that it can be more difficult to start something like this off the beaten path. So if this sounds up your street, give MOMO a follow on social media, and if you are in Glasgow, pop by for a coffee and some art to support their mission.

Also, thanks to my post, I had a lovely Zoom catch-up with my friend and fellow artist Muriel Prince. Muriel lives and works in the Scottish Borders. It was great to talk "artist to artist" about life, work, and cats. Muriel's "draw walk" technique is fascinating, and her works are richly layered with meaning and feeling. It was great to reconnect.

Otherwise, it was a normal week: working, watching films and shows, keeping in touch with loved ones, and watching more Stewart Copeland interviews.

As I mentioned above, I painted, but I wasn't thrilled with the results. Dark and brooding - but not fully realised, so I won't share it just yet. Painting something is better than painting nothing, and reconnecting with my fellow artists, patrons, and the wider community is an important step in the right direction.

I am not sure what this weekend holds. I will probably attempt another social media post. There will be a painting session on Sunday, and big thoughts and ideas rattling around my brain. Some will be actualised, and most won't, and that is all just part of the process.

I will wrap up warm in my new charity shop jumper, get outside and see what the big city has to offer and go get my chickens!

Thanks for being part of my community. We really are in this together. I hope you have a warm and relaxed weekend. Keep fighting.

Tend to the small fires

Awake in the dark, the screen illuminates my fingers as a cup of coffee balances on the arm of the sofa. Flames of dancing light from my electric fire pretend to lap the air. Kodomotachi by Susumu Yokota plays on my big headphones.

It's Friday morning; the work week is behind me once again. This is a strange way for me to think about time. When one is self-employed (as I have been for much of my life), the work week is never behind you. Time has been bending in on itself, forward and then back. I am somewhere in between - my dreams vivid, the subconscious hard at work.

I didn't "make art" this past Sunday but I reflected on it and discussed these thoughts with my mother. We felt that this counted as a "sunday session." I hope to return to making art this weekend.

Last Sunday, I attended a cultural event, which is perhaps even better than making art, due to the energy exchange that comes from being around like-minded people with a singular focus. 

I was fortunate to see Stewart Copeland (the brilliant drummer of The Police and a gifted composer) speak about his life and work at The Queen's Hall. He was always my favourite member of the band. I still vividly recall the pride I felt as I wore my new Ghost in the Machine Tour t-shirt (a gift from my brothers who had actually seen the tour) to elementary school when I was barely ten. Years later, I wore that same shirt to a Black Flag show in 1986; at fourteen, though, I remember feeling pretty square in it. Needless to say, I left that gig wearing a different band's name. 

Anyway, I loved The Police, and Stewart Copeland was the best, so seeing him tell his stories about it all was a delight. Beyond his obvious talents, he is funny, irreverent, whip smart, and is an expert storyteller. Laughing at his antics as part of an audience of his admirers felt good and warm. 

On Monday, I met up with my good pal, Ever Dundas for a return visit to the secret garden in the city centre. With our hot chocolates, we enjoyed talking about all things music while sitting in the garden on a bench in the sun. It was a lovely outing. Music and friends make the world go round. 

Before I met up with Ever, I popped into Edinburgh Central Library to visit the Art & Design Library housed upstairs. I was short on time, but it was good to peruse a few art books and to just see what they had on offer.

Tuesday was a grey day of rain and remembrance, tears, and smiles.

Wednesday and Thursday were filled with work and meetings, and now here we are.
I am not sure what this weekend and week ahead holds. 

I'll leave you with my cheeky visage just to show off my latest charity shop acquisition (the necklace) because I love it and finding such treasures brings me joy. And we can all use a bit more of that.

Thank you for spending some of your precious time with me. Until next week, keep fighting for good, take care, and stay warm.

Messages on the wind

to the weir

Dear Reader,

I hope you are okay. Before I sat down to write to you, I opened the window to let in the crisp morning air and I said good morning to the moon.

Earlier this week, I walked by the water of Leith on slick yellow leaves, mud, and cobbles, and found myself at the foot of my favourite tree, seeking refuge. I breathed in the damp earth and sent messages on the wind.

process

Last weekend, I managed to paint, but I couldn't focus. I washed my brushes, looked at my previous work, and pushed some paint around. It's all part of the process and practice. I am reminded of this repeatedly.

On a rare Wednesday off work, I met my friend Julia for a day of art in the city. We saw the following exhibitions: * = personal highlights

RSA Academicians Gallery: Toby Paterson RSA

Scottish Gallery: *Modern Masters XIX, *Rachel Larkins - Raising Ghosts, Lachlan Goudie - From the Forest to the Forge

Open Eye Gallery: Adrian Wiszniewski RSA, Jonathan Gibbs, Alex Malcolmson and select artists from the gallery (*David Schofield RGI)

Graystone Gallery: Boundless Motion: Land & Form - Astrid Leeson & Sophia Pauley and select artists from the gallery

Rachel Larkins' jewellery exhibition at the Scottish Gallery was magical and enchanting, with plenty of favourite pieces. The Modern Masters XIX exhibition has some wonderful Joan Eardley pieces among other standouts.

At the Open Eye Gallery, David Schofield's piece, This Mortal City, appeared illuminated from within and was captivating with its dreamlike narrative.

down stockbridge way

Thursday was mostly a blur, but that brings us to today's exhibition, or rather, experience.

Leith School of Art: *Jessica Wolfson - Rain, I don't mind

On my way home this afternoon, I popped into Leith School of Art. And by popped in, I mean I interrupted a group of women chatting in front of the school, and asked if I could go inside to see the exhibition advertised on the fence. They buzzed me in and then left me to it.

Once I entered the space, the familiar art school smell overwhelmed me in the best way. The natural light, white walls, and spareness of it all felt like home. I continued through the space following Wolfson's paintings through an entryway to the school's small library as the exhibition continued. I turned to look at the wall of art books and felt a catch in my throat as a beautiful stained glass window caught my eye. I took a postcard with course offerings and then let myself out. I waved my thanks to the group as I made my way off the small campus.

Back on the road, my soul absolutely ached - it had recognised itself within those walls. The old Norwegian Seaman's church turned art school was calling after me, "come back... you've lost your way - please, come back..."

As tears welled up in my eyes, I heard the old building loud and clear.
____________________

Until next week, keep listening.

With love and gratitude.

X.

Strangers tell me things

Sunday works in progress: a different ground

 On the way to carboot sale

Brutal Monday evening 

On Friday Leith provides

Anarchy in the everyday

Hello Dear Readers,

With one song on repeat I settle in to write to you. It was also one hell of a week and I am glad it is over. It's Halloween. Tomorrow is November. How is that even possible? Are you sensing a theme? I feel like each week, I write: things are hard, time is moving fast, what the hell... here's some art, here's some photos - cheery bye.

I write a lot in other places, I talk a lot in other places too, and now I am tired and worn out. I feel like The Giving Tree.

But back to the song, the bass vibrates in my ears in a way that I can see it - I shake my head back and forth to the beat. This song has that wonderful industrial metal scraping clang that my brain loves. The bass and guitars are perfection. I don't think there is much better than listening to a song on really good headphones. This one is ticking all the boxes tonight - it is reviving my tired heart.

However, I still can't focus enough right now to talk about art in any meaningful or moving way. Perhaps if I had written this in the morning I could have, but I needed to go out and meet a pal. I sat with the locals on the community benches at the foot of the walk and I purposely breathed in their smoke. I comforted them as they shared their fresh grief with me and was hugged by a stranger.

I love community spaces and I love talking to people. I love making people laugh and I love laughing. I love hearing music from pub speakers and I love knowing that cosy places for folks to meet still exist.

Just another beautiful day in Leith, just another day in my life.

Until next week, try to talk to someone you don't know and try not to worry so much.
We need you and the gifts you bring. Keep fighting.

Conversations and quandaries

Broughton St Mary’s church turret in autumn

Hello Dear Reader, 

Here we are again, another Friday. I hope you are okay. I am not great but at least I am not ill and I haven't had any migraines lately so that is a positive. This week was frustrating and difficult for a multitude of reasons. Even with the beauty of autumn as a backdrop - I am weary. Are we all weary now? Is this just how it is going to be? I sure hope not. 

So let's focus on the beauty and the good parts, that seems to be all I know how to do. I can be struggling and still recognise the wonders of life. 

I went for a walk with my friend Jen on Saturday and introduced her to my favourite local tree. I had been hesitant to go by and visit my scottish friend tree as I was worried it might not be there due to some recent council heavy pruning. Jen kindly accompanied me as I faced that concern and we were both delighted to see its far reaching majesty, albeit very lopsided.  

On Sunday, I met my friend Julia, for a ramble through the city centre and down into Stockbridge. We enjoyed warm drinks and chips while sitting in the window of a crowded cafe. Afterwards we went to a charity shop where I scored a wonderful scarf. We then continued down the road to see the current exhibition, Beneath the Veil at The House of Smalls. This is only the second exhibition I have seen at The House of Smalls and I have been equally impressed and deeply moved each time. If you are in Edinburgh or passing through, I would highly recommend putting this gallery on your list to visit. Amy is a friendly and helpful gallerist and has created a space with an important and commendable ethos.

chai latte with Julia before the exhibition

After meeting up with Julia, there was of course my Sunday session of painting and talking about art with my mom. I worked on the two canvases below. Just adding different washes of paint. Roughing in and wiping away the colours in layers while listening to Brian Eno and drinking tea. Not a bad way to spend some time. I like them pretty well as they are, but may continue to work on them this week. 

work in progress

work in progress

On Monday, the haar rolled in, and it seemed like the perfect time to take a walk and make some photos. I feel fortunate to have this wilderness so close. I know these trees and this patch of land so well and in return I feel known by them. I find so much support and solace in these nearby woods and the paths by the water of Leith. 

As usual, there was work and all the other bits and pieces that make a life - exercise, meditation, meals, conversations and quandaries. I am now sitting on the sofa, listening to one song on repeat and feeling grateful to have shared this Friday ritual once more with you.

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness. 

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering. 

May all beings rejoice in the wellbeing of others. 

May all beings live in peace, free from greed and hatred. 

Thank you for being here. Until next week, take care. 

Know your rights

tis the season for tarot

good matcha with friends

painting on a Sunday

and for making a statement

Hello Dear Readers, 

As the captions state, tis the season for tarot, good matcha with friends, painting on a Sunday, and for making a statement. Add in a bit of work, genealogy, a planned walk with a pal tomorrow and a planned meet up with another pal on Sunday and that is where you find me this week. I am a bit tired, careworn, and restless.

Thanks to all you culture warriors for being here and for continuing to fight for goodness and beauty. You rule. 

I will be with the folks back home in spirit tomorrow. Know your rights. 

Return to that important ritual

It's starting to look a lot like autumn

Hello Dear Readers.

The magic google switch must have been toggled off on my blog the last few weeks as my numbers have plummeted and from such great heights. Oh well, I never quite believed them anyway. If you missed last week's post, I shared a fair amount of art - you can see it here. 

The viruses have finally left me and I managed to get out for a few daily walks this past week after not being able to, due to injury and illness. Now the migraines have decided it is their time to shine, so for the past two days I have been dealing with crazy auras, pain, light sensitivity, and muscle spasms. My sleep has been pretty horrible too. I am fed up and feel like crying more often than I'd like. 

My blog has turned into that call you have with your ageing relatives or friends and all they do is tell you about their aches, pains, and various ailments. Tis the season. 

yellow leaves on cobbles

It can't be all bad and it really isn't. The walks in the yellow leaves were enjoyable, and it felt good to return to that important ritual. Two of my other routines that I enjoy that didn't happen for the past two weeks, returned this week - so that was good too. 

I managed to work on two more canvases during the regular "Sunday Sessions" that my mom and I continue to share. I lay the ground work so that they can be finished off this week perhaps. The series continues to build and I am glad of that. 

New work in progress

I also attended an online talk and I returned to an online group that I missed last week as well. And I tried something new that I enjoyed. All of those activities were supportive and helpful. So if it hadn't been for the migraines, this would have been a pretty good "rebuilding" sort of week. 

I watched a great documentary, a show I enjoy, and started rereading one of my favourite series of books as a comfort - all while working, connecting with friends and family and doing all the other tedious things that adults must do. I will consider this week a success, even with the dumb migraines. 

Edinburgh Central Library Board Room Window

Yesterday, I met up with most of the SAU staff team along with our new president, Tamara Rogovic for an in person meeting at the Edinburgh Central Library. I feel very fortunate to work with the fine folks at the union - we are a small and hard working team. It was a productive meeting and so good to spend time with each other again - as it is such a rarity since we all work remotely. 

Are you a member of the Scottish Artists Union? Membership has numerous benefits and it's the members that make the union what it is and what it can be! Join us!

Jenni's October 2025 design on the wall behind the envelope containing the 2026 edition! 

To round out the week, when I got home from the meeting, there was sunshine in an envelope waiting for me! The 2026 Jenni Douglas Calendar has arrived! I am not a fan of the years zipping by, but if they have to - I am going to mark it with Jenni's gorgeous and colourful designs. This year she has two calendar designs to choose from - Scots Creatures or Art. You can get one for yourself here.

That's all I have for you this week. I hope you are doing okay. Thanks for being here. When I sat down to write this, I wasn't feeling too great in my body, mind, or spirit. However, writing this has given me some much needed clarity. There was a lot of good this week, even with the pain and frustration.

Ever onward with grace, acceptance, plenty of rest, and deep breaths. 

Please keep fighting - we need you, and we need each other. You are part of the good.