Let's go!

"Fear is the cheapest room in the house, I'd like to see you living in better conditions." - Hafiz

One day in early November, I was walking through my flat and the solution came to me suddenly. "I know how it all fits - I know how to make this work!" And with that a plan was finally put into motion, not a thought rolling around in my head endlessly, not a problem or a burden but a hopeful and actionable step. 

I gave my notice at Studio G23 at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall at the start of December. After eleven years it was time to move my studio. 

And so I did. I moved by multiple awkward bus trips and several taxis and somehow bit by bit in between work and other engagements, the move was handled. I am very grateful to my pal Julia for helping me on multiple occasions. Her kind partner Robb helped with the last two loads by car. I can't thank them enough. 

I am also thankful to my close friends who unknowingly kept me accountable by reading my updates as I navigated the process. 

Of course, I also had to patch holes, paint, and clean up the old studio. And even though I haven't recorded a Tuesday Studio Video Visit in ages, I recorded a sign off before I turned off the lights and said my last goodbye to my old studio. 

Memories and ghosts 

Studio G23: December 2014 - December 2025

Once at the new space, I had to set it all up again and reconfigure things. I am not going to lie it was a hell of a lot of work - but also very exciting. All my paintings and materials are back together in one place! I can now work in a light filled space with instant access. A missing piece has been returned and just in time for Christmas and New Year - the ultimate gift to myself. Let me introduce you to my new studio! Join me in my excitement as I begin this new chapter.

space to dream and work

everything in its right place

I still have some fine tuning to do on the new space, furniture to add or take away, and works on paper to organise better, but I am very excited to move forward and return to my work in this space in the new year. I think there will be a bit of a reintroduction of myself and my work, updates to make to my website, and hopefully better ways for us to connect online and in person over my work!

I am thankful to everyone who has made this possible: friends, family, co-workers, my awesome landlady, and my generous ko-fi supporters (Jennifer, Tamsin, Jennifer, and Annie) and of course, my long term patrons. I am also thankful to myself for never giving up and for my resolute dedication to art. It's ridiculously hard to be an artist in a society that doesn't always value or understand what we're on the planet to do, particularly in a culture that often exploits creativity yet still demands gratitude.

I will never forget those who have supported and recognised my work over the years and have made this path just a little bit easier. Thank you. 

Until next week (or year) keep fighting. We need you and the gifts you bring. 
Here's a song for you. 
__________________

PS. I know that I usually write the year end review post on the last Friday of December, but I am leading with the new studio because I'd rather look forward or be in the now (and next week - I will see what the fuss was about in 2025). Looks like we are already shaking things up! Happy New Year when the time comes - and thanks for your support.

A meditative pause

Glitter disco monarch of the glen with added buddha

How in the world is it already Friday again? Sorry, these types of pronouncements are about as dull as talking about the weather.

I have been awake for ages in the dark so I figured I might as well type a few words. I am still not ready to share what I have been up to on the art front. Maybe I will feel inclined to share this on boxing day (which will be the next time I write here). 

I also can't believe that we are less than a week away from Christmas. I put out a few decorations but nothing major - I've been too preoccupied with my job and my behind the scenes art vibes. Let's just say I have been working hard. Thankfully, I have had some welcomed help from my pal Julia (it's not a blog if my talented friend isn't in the mix these days).

 

all that glitters

At this point in my life, Christmas serves as a meditative pause. I am looking forward to time off work, time to reflect, to watch films, eat good food, catch up with some friends and go for walks. Time to settle into some new patterns and create future pathways. Ooh, and time for genealogy too! Now, I'm excited!

Whatever you get up to during the festive season, I hope you have moments of peace and security. It's been one hell of a year for a lot of us, so take it easy and don't forget to honour your needs (this is a reminder to myself). And remember too, it's almost Solstice - the light will be making its slow return back to us!

Wishing you a joyous season. Thank you for sharing some of your precious time with me. We need you and the gifts you bring. Keep fighting and shining.

Linen blazers and vague blogging

Cloudbusting 

Dear Readers, 

I have been plagued by a series of migraines brought on by storm Bram that passed through earlier this week. I am a human pressure gauge. 

But before the storms, I went back out on the Leith Creative Trail last Saturday. I enjoyed visiting the Portland Street Pottery (where I purchased two wee mugs). I also visited Coburg House Open Studios. I really enjoyed the conversations I had with the fine artists and makers I spoke with there. It was another stellar day, highlighting the creative community of Leith. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, I was busy doing mysterious art related things before the storm derailed me. 

Pretty in Linen

My week then went something like this: migraine, work, migraine, work, migraine and this is how you find me. I have been taking it easy today. Listening to music, watching comforting shows, and being silly on the internet. I lamented earlier to some of my facebook pals that none of the boys I knew in school wore linen blazers (like they did in the film Pretty in Pink) cut to an image of Andrew McCarthy and James Spader that may "live rent free" in your head if you are of a certain age and most likely from the USA. However, those 80s films did seem to have pretty universal appeal. I have gone ahead and inserted the imagery above in case you don't know who or what I am talking about. I also mentioned the fact that if Die Hard is considered a Christmas film then so is Less than Zero... (don't watch it though).

The news has really been getting me down, so I thought some ridiculousness and frivolity seemed in order. You know, back to the good old days when we just took photos of our food, humble bragged, and vague booked. 

New wee cup from Portland Street Pottery

So, that's where we are (enjoy the photos). I am listening to Nils Frahm's Talisman for extra gravitas as I write to you about nothing much at all.

I'm meeting my pal Julia on Sunday and she's going to help me with "some more mysterious art related things" and then I will have more art news to share soon. I'm vague blogging. 

In other news this week, thanks to the SAU Learning Programme, I learned all about the new Making Tax Digital scheme for sole traders. The online course was presented by writer Heather Parry (Illustrated freelancer's guide). It was a helpful and engaging presentation on what could have been a very dull and somewhat scary subject. I feel a lot more equipped to deal with it when the time comes.

Free educational courses like these are just another great reason to be part of a union. If you are thinking about ways to engage with your union, the learning programme seems like a good way to test the waters, get to know some familiar faces, and learn a thing or two. This is how I initially got involved with the SAU. So if you are wondering how to get involved, sign up for a free course in the new year! And if you aren't yet a member of your union, consider joining. 

I came across this old union cartoon on the internet this week. It was created by politician and cartoonist John Miller Baer and appeared in the December 1953 edition of a labor trade publication The Signalman’s Journal. I will leave you with this bit of seasonal union cheer. 

union cartoon ©1953 by John Miller Baer

Until next week, take care out there, stay warm, and keep fighting.

Leith must be the place

From the window of Custom House Leith

Hello Dear Readers, 

I hope December finds you well and cosy. This post practically wrote itself last Saturday. When I left you last week, I mentioned I was going to meet Julia to explore the Leith Creative Trail and that is what we did. 

Julia and I met in front of the Leith Library at 11am and we wandered the streets all day in search of everything the artists and makers of Leith had on offer. It was a full day of adventure, beauty, and community. Leith is definitely the place. 

We visited the following fantastic Leith venues:

Art Glass Studio 34 / SilverHub Studios / Mote 102 / Ground Floor EHFM / Coburg House / Cyan Clayworks / Custom House / Brown’s of Leith / Away Industries / Populus Cafe / Bethany Shop / Leith Makers Open Studios & MULCH:Collective Exhibition / Sebs Urban Jungle Winter Makers Market The excitement continues this weekend so do check the trail guide for all the details.

Happiness is a blue wall

While we were out walking the Creative Trail, Julia spied this blue wall and thought it would make an ideal backdrop. I was proudly wearing my new brooch designed by Julia and happy to pose for a few photographs.

I am lucky to have a friend that I feel so comfortable around and who has a great sense of colour. I really don't like having my picture taken so it says a lot about the photographer when I look this relaxed. Her brooch made me feel like a million bucks. I do hope you will check them out. As I have said many times, colour is medicine and good friends are the best. Find your new brooch and view Julia's art here: https://julialaingstudio.com

I need to get ready to meet a pal for a Friday morning walk. There are other things going on behind the scenes of course, but more on that later. 

Wherever you are, don't let the bastards get you down. Keep fighting and shining. 
We need you and the gifts you bring. X.