Thanks for checking out the Friday Studio Blog. I hope you are doing well. I am sitting out in the sun while I write this. Thanks again to everyone who came out to support the artists of the Out of the Blue Drill Hall last week for our exhibition, Outside + In. The show came down last Saturday at 5pm. It was good to spend so much time in the hall for that week - it was like pushing a pause button on my grief. Art has always protected me in that way.
This week I found myself plunged back into the trenches and didn't feel my best but I still managed to do a few art-related things. First, I did go to the studio on Tuesday and I decided to patch the holes and repaint my painting wall. I also looked at my paint supplies and just handled a few things in the space. I also managed to record my Tuesday Studio Video Visit! I haven't recorded one in a long time, so that was a relief to do and to do it from the studio.
Here it is if you missed it on social media.
I have to admit I didn't feel my best in the space at the time. That space sometimes feels like it is filled with the old ghosts of my hopes and dreams and a heavy dose of punishment. Sometimes it feels like I must go to that room to prove I am working. I must go to that room and prove I am busy and deserving of the space. I must go to that room to make myself scarce. I must go there to be contained. To be my wild self but enclosed in a windowless space where I won't bother anyone. I must go to that room to prove my dedication, worth, and my value. I must earn love and appreciation in that room.
Heavy wee room, eh? Aye. Fuck that noise.
So I have to exorcise it and that's what I just did. I just smudged it with the truth. Feelings come and go and feelings shared, lose their power. I am exorcising a lot. Some of you will be here for it and others might need to bail out. That's cool.
On that same Tuesday, I also saw a fleeting exhibition by another studio mate (Ian Gonczarow). I haven't yet met him but now I have seen his work in the hall and that is a good thing - hopefully, I will meet him soon. More community the better. More art in the building, the better too. I had a good chat with an art worker in the building and my studio mate and then went to hers for lunch and I enjoyed a sunny walk home.
Wednesday (4 weeks of missing Theo) was heavy and I did hard things. Thursday, I ran errands and rewarded myself for the hard things I accomplished and was gifted with a bit of anxiety for my efforts. Yoga and meditation were required as was a book in the sun that evening. Today in the sun as I write this, I love feeling warm, surrounded by flowers, and being outside and free. I love the transportive quality of the music I am listening to - it takes me everywhere.
In other news, I got another copy of The Artists Way and decided it was time to surrender to that process again. If you know, you know... I'm doing my morning pages and the artist's dates will follow. I got myself an A2 drawing board - it will be here soon.
"The position of the artist is humble. He (She) is essentially a channel." - Piet Mondrian
That's all I have for you this week on the Friday Studio Blog. If you missed a few posts, please go back and check them out. Thanks so much for your support!
An exhibition of artists and makers from the Out of the Blue Drill Hall community is on for two more days. If you are local to Edinburgh or are passing through, don't miss the exhibition on display from 10am-5pm. this Friday (19th) and Saturday (20th). 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG.
There are 16 artists currently participating in this group exhibition and there is a range of pieces available to purchase and enjoy, from drawings, riso prints, reproductions, abstract and realist paintings, collage, textiles, felted work, as well as mixed media paintings on slates, photography, and gorgeous jewellery. Truly something for everyone at a multitude of price points.
The exhibition reception on Wednesday was well attended and was busy from the moment the doors were open from 5:30 through to 7:30. It made our hearts sing to have the work in the space and appreciated by so many enthusiastic community members.
We hope that opportunities for the artists within the hall will become a more regular occurrence. If you feel the same way please let the management know. It boosts morale within the building and that spills out into the community at large. Creativity is contagious and community joy is strong medicine!
Please, if you are able, do make a plan to catch the exhibition before Saturday at 5pm.
Thanks to everyone who has come already to view the exhibition and who came out in support of the artists of the hall on Wednesday night. It was wonderful to see you.
Edinburgh City Councillor Susan Rae and I discussing my painting, "What it's Worth."
Follow these artists on Instagram if you don't already!
The exhibition will be held from the 15th-20th of May 2023 from 10am-5pm,
with a reception on Wednesday the 17th of May from 5:30 - 7:30pm. The Out
of the Blue Drill Hall is located at 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG. All are
welcome!
Here are just some of the participant's Instagram handles (check them
out, give them a follow, and come to the show and see the work in person
and meet the artists!). There is sure to be something for everyone and a
fun and easy-going scene. See you there!
As some of you may have noticed, I fell behind on my blog and I haven't been using social media that much with all that has been going on in my life. I have now caught up, so please go back and read the previous posts you may have missed. Thank you for your support and care and for those that have checked on me.
If you are local to Edinburgh, I will be sitting the above-mentioned Outside + In exhibition from 3-5pm on Monday and Wednesday and also attending the reception on Wednesday night from 5:30-7:30. It would be lovely to see you there.
I am still here, I didn't turn into dust. I am not sure how. I am walking for miles (my go-to coping strategy) talking, seeing friends, sleeping, resting, grieving, recovering, eating, crying, crying, crying. I talk to you as I look back into the empty rooms. I hope you will visit me in my dreams. I want you back. This is pretty fucking hard. Layers upon layers of grief. I can't move your things.
My friends have been amazing and the flowers are blooming and the trees are leafing out. I talk to the squirrels, pigeons, and birds. I suddenly have so many bird feeders. My wee animal friends help me - stray cats roam in the garden. They are not you, but I hope they bring messages from you. I am surrounded by beauty in sadness, I am surrounded by big hearts and am aware of all the bodhisattvas that walk in our midst. All the caregivers, healers, and helpers. I try to practice compassion, my mind throws me endless curveballs. I am feeling it all and walking through it. Again I say, this is pretty fucking hard. I miss you so much, Theo.
In other news, I learned of another loss. My friend, patron, supporter of the arts, punk rocker, photographer and all-around good guy, Peter Goodbody passed away at the end of March and with everything else going on I only just found out.
If you bought a print or t-shirt with one of my faces on it, Peter Goodbody is the reason why. He suggested that I make them and so I followed through. I will always be grateful for his patronage, friendship, and support. He was a brilliant supporter of musicians and artists across the board.
Peter interviewed me for his music and art website, P3DRO. I was honoured to be asked but even more thrilled with how brilliant the interview was - he asked great questions and I enjoyed being able to weave my love of music and art together. The interview felt like a special gift. I will always be thankful for Peter and all his help and support over the years. Rest in Power, my friend. You will be missed.
Here is the interview again for those who missed it the first time or who would like to read it again.
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