Holiday in Edinburgh: Fringe Edition!

It feels like a long time has passed since I posted last week. Since then, I had a wee staycation in the city. I never take holidays, so when my youngest niece said she was popping over for the Fringe I decided to make the most of it too.

I don't think I had been to anything relating to the Fringe since 2019 (otherwise known as the before times). My niece picked several shows and I joined her for three on Monday and then I chose a show for Tuesday and she joined me. My niece went on to see many other shows as well and got a good survey of the Fringe offerings and venues.

I wanted to make note of the Fringe shows I attended this week. You can click on the links below to read about them - all are good and worthy of your money and support.

1. QFWFQ - Gregory Nussen 
Summerhall (Former Gents Locker Room)
2. Tether by Wonder Fools 
Summerhall (Main Hall)
3. Jess Fuchs - Feral 
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two)
4. The Tao of Lloyd - Dennis Trainer Jr.
Assembly Rooms (Drawing Room)

I would highly recommend Tether - I shed a few tears, the venue was great - the music incredible and it was a moving cross cultural story and experience. A stunning minimalist production. 

I would also highly recommend The Tao of Lloyd. It was a tour de force of Gen X memory and reverie against a backdrop of taoist concepts and thoughtful and even somewhat risky political angst. Out of the four shows we attended together this was the only one that wasn't sold out and I feel it deserved to be. If you are left of the dial (musically and politically) then get a ticket and go support this show. Actor Dennis Trainer Jr. fully embodies the role. The show will leave you thinking about it days later. 

We also saw a bit of art, sampled some cafes and restaurants, the crowded Royal Mile and Grassmarket and the various festival courtyards for the vibes and a spot of people watching. We enjoyed wandering New Town and Stockbridge too. Edinburgh was hot, sunny, otherworldly, and a bit of a blur (and I live here - so that's saying something). 

We even made a day trip to enjoy Dunbar and to retrace our final steps overlooking the sea along the John Muir Way (which we completed together 4 years ago now). It was great to put our feet in the water this time around. While there we also enjoyed the lovely Found Gallery. It is a friendly space filled with beautiful and accessible work. It was especially great to see artist Dan Murray's paintings and prints there. 

We also explored the slightly calmer wilds of my neighbourhood in Leith enjoying the local cafes and wee shops. We also popped in to see my good pals at Cyan Clayworks for their brilliant Fringe offerings.

While we were there, they recommended that we dash across the street to take in Worship: a solo exhibition by Surface Ritual at Customs House Gallery. The exhibition focuses on faith and culture through the gaze of the Ghanaian Diaspora and continues through the 16th of August. While there, I bought a zine of vegan Ghanaian recipes and have been assured I now have the best recipe for Jollof Rice. I am looking forward to making it. Go check out the exhibition this weekend.

I had a great visit with my niece and it really made me appreciate living in such a beautiful, walkable, buzzing city of culture. We can never take it for granted. We must keep supporting the artists and the locals that make it what it is.

And to all the artists and arts workers taking creative risks and sharing your gifts, thank you.

Keep fighting!

Gold is the colour of now

And that's all I have to say about that. 

X

The universe sings

New work, 30x30cm, 2026

Spread thin like water, stretched and open - elemental. 

Colours dance and move back and forth

It can be that simple. 

_______________________________

In other news, Leith is the best. 

Whether it's having chai and a long blether with a friend in a local cafe on Leith Walk, going to see the opening of a brilliant group exhibition at MOTE 102, or walking down the road to Coburg House to visit all the lovely artists in their studios, Leith is the place to be. 

I thank my lucky stars for the community I live in. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such passionate, talented, kind, and solid people. Thank you for sharing your gifts. 

Go support these hard-working artists and inspiring venues.

Until next week, the project continues. 

Keep fighting.

Nestled within

detail

I have just returned from another brilliant visit to Cyan Clayworks in the heart of Leith. Fiona and Chris have both been busy developing new bodies of work in preparation for their Edinburgh Fringe exhibition. It was a delight to see some of their new work, fresh from the kiln. 

As I have probably said before, I love having Cyan Clayworks in my neighbourhood. Fiona and Chris have created such a warm and welcoming space. It is a place where we usually talk about everything and nothing while sharing the wide variety of weirdness between us. 

Often, other artists drop by as well, adding to the atmosphere of camaraderie and connection. Today, artist Emma Sutherland popped by to say hello and to bring some promo materials for her upcoming group exhibition. "I have been here before" which will be held at MOTE 102, and opens Friday 31 July from 6-8pm and then continues on from 1-9 August, and is open from 11am - 5pm. It was good to be reintroduced to Emma who I met years ago. I am looking forward to the exhibition. MOTE 102 is a great space that shows exciting and versatile work and is another gem in the neighbourhood. So if you are in Leith/Edinburgh or coming through town put both these shows on your calendar. 

I always feel uplifted and more connected to the bigger picture after a visit with Chris and Fiona in their beautiful space. They are genuine connectors - a vital part to any art space, scene, or movement. Thank you both for all you share and everything that you bring to the community. You make it look easy, but I know it is hard work. 

Tomorrow, I have plans to meet my good friend and fellow artist, Julia, for a wander around the city and we will see where we end up. There is usually art and tea involved. I am looking forward to it. I enjoy our art rambles tremendously. 

In other news, my project continues, I have just completed day 42. I am starting to overthink it, and I feel like bowing out at times, but the information gleaned from my time on "the project" can't be understated. It's powerful and leading me somewhere so I will continue to do it whether I am in the flow or not.

This week was also full of nostalgia. I am noticing time in a very concrete way that has stopped me in my tracks more than a few times. I think the project and all that goes with it has primed the pump for this sort of reckoning.

Slow, fast, slow, fast, gone. I think I am in the early days of the second fast.

I am learning a lot, remaining open, and staying curious which may help slow it down a bit or perhaps it just makes me more acutely aware of the fast, and how fleeting everything is. 

Time continues to fold in on itself and I am nestled within.
You are there too. 

X.

detail

Anchor to my days

Book two

I have now been engaged in my personal project in my studio daily for the last 5 weeks. As previously mentioned, this entails a string of rituals stacked on top of each other and practised each morning starting around 6am. This usually lasts several hours, and before anything else happens in my day. Everything in its right place - a certain order - a priority. This time is fused together by movement, music, writing and painting, study and meditation. Born from necessity, the essentials revisited. It is a meaningful anchor to my days and I will continue like this until it inevitably runs its course.

And she was

I had a lovely week 

I saw so many beautiful things 

I enjoyed good and cool people 

I learned new ways 

I made art 

I wrote 

I sang 

I danced 

I walked 

I cooked 

I practiced 

I read 

I laughed 

I studied 

I was in awe 

I was moved 

I was sad 

I was anxious 

I worked 

I trusted 

I was disappointed 

I was angry 

I accepted help 

I helped others 

I was vulnerable 

I was ridiculous 

I made people laugh 

I was perfectly imperfect 

I was alive 

Built on a foundation of ok

X

She can see it returning

Currently I get up at 6 am, put a few things order, and then get to work in my studio. I have been working religiously on a personal project for the past 3 weeks. Combining writing, drawing, painting, and collage as well as eastern philosphy and tarot. Brian Eno provides the soundtrack. It's a complete ritual and I am leaning into with everything I've got. 

This type of working is more inline with how I worked in the early 2000s before I had studios outside of my home and I am loving it. 

Things are starting to shift. 

This time in my studio feels a bit like the Tao. I don't want to write or speak too much about it, because words fall short and aren't it. But I see it. I feel it - I even dream it.

This is how it works. 

Hello beautiful green life. 

Hello joyful glowing heart.