My favourite place

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

I went to my favourite place in Edinburgh, Warriston Cemetery. This was a monumental day (no pun intended). Something shifted this week. I sat on a bench and looked over the cemetery and felt joy. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, everything was fresh, verdant, and overgrown. Perfectly disheveled and comforting, the sun was glorious and I felt reborn. Suddenly, I had ideas, goals, dreams, and most importantly some structure and support. 

You can read next week's post here.

I work, I walk, I protest

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

This week I feel pretty disheartened by what is going on in the world. I work, I walk, I try to focus on the cherry blossoms.

I also protest.

I am not quite done with the foods that make me feel poorly, I eat my weight in hot crossed buns and a vegan chocolate bunny... soon, soon. I am feeling very overwhelmed by all the art that surrounds me and probably overwhelmed in general.

You can read next week's post here.

Groundwork

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

I enjoy the flowers and walking in Edinburgh in the springtime. I take photos of the shadows and light. At this point, the drawing stops. After Peikko's brilliant visit I realised something. I write my epiphany on a sticky note and post it where I can see it. 

What does this structure and support look like? I am not yet sure, but I start putting parts of it into place. 

I met up with my dear pal, Julia to return to the Fruitmarket for a second viewing. We sit and talk in front of the bold emotive paintings. She finds plenty within the paintings as well. 

Copyright Portia Zvavahera

Afterwards, we sit in a lovely cafe feeling like tourists. This may be my last grief eating cake session for a while... 

We enjoy the view and seem to lay groundwork for some changes. We enjoy a photography exhibition "After the end of History" British Working Class Photography 1989 – 2024 at Stills afterwards. Julia and I are good at rambling around town exploring and just talking it all out. Julia writes a blog as well and is a wonderful artist, draftsperson, and friend. Find her blog here.

You can read next week's post here.

The lightness

In case you missed it, you can read last week's post here.

The weather was beautiful even while the politics of the world are horrid and my personal grief remains, so I try to get out in it as much as possible. Spring in Edinburgh is spectacular and feels well deserved, the lightness makes everyone a bit more friendly. 

I continue to draw some, investing in new materials (thanks to a dear friend sending me a gift certificate for my birthday). I buy 5 erasers among a few other things and this makes me laugh. In April I began working more hours with the Scottish Artists Union.

My dear friend Peikko from Finland arrives midweek and spends a few nights with me. What a joy to have her near. We laugh as we talk about the dark stuff of life and we go see art and enjoy the gorgeous Edinburgh weather.

Peikko

We both enjoyed Portia Zvavahera's exhibition at Fruitmarket Gallery. I must say this is probably the best painting exhibition I have seen at Fruitmarket. We had plenty to discuss and resonate with while surrounded by the colourful and meaningful large scale works. I could feel each and every one of them. 

Copyright Portia Zvavahera

Friends really do make the world go around. Haste ye back, Peikko!

You can read next week's post here.