What do these shapes mean

This week saw a return to business as usual after the delightful visit from my neice. I returned to my studio routine and my job. 

I did still manage a bit of fun last weekend. I enjoyed a coffee meet up and some hyper local charity shopping with a pal last Saturday and then on Sunday another pal and I went to see the Phoebe Anna Traquair Murals. We also popped into a few other fringe art offerings, a lovely cafe, and a graveyard - so that's a great time in my book! I have seen the murals several times now but it was a treat to take our time and to really look at them. 

I painted a small painting (above). It is odd but has something I like about it. It doesn't exactly sit in the small series I have been working on but that's okay. 

I also finished a book I picked up in our local charity bookshop while browsing last week. I really enjoyed Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. I see it has been made into a film. I watched the trailer after I finished the book and I am glad I read the book first. I will definitely read more of Ishiguro's work. I am unsure how I missed him all these years - after all he wrote The Remains of the Day. Klara and the Sun is beautiful, moving, and very timely. 

Things cross your path when they are meant to I guess. 

That's all I have for you just now as I have a busy day ahead tomorrow. 

I hope you are well, happy, and inspired wherever you are. And if not, tomorrow is another day. Keep fighting! 

Paying the light bill for your soul

Flock expansion

Hello Dear Readers, 

When I left you last Friday, I needed to go see a man about some chickens, and that is what I did. I went back to Cyan Clayworks where I picked up my new yellow birds and purchased a beautiful ramen bowl for a friend's birthday. It's a joy to support our local and independent artists and makers. It's always a win in my book.

paintings, brushes, and books 

On Sunday, my pal Julia Laing came over on a super dreich day and helped me move some things. She gets the friendship of the year award. And speaking of Julia, I also purchased some of her new work this week as well.

Check out Julia's latest offerings on her site. Colour is a powerful medicine and Julia brings the colour! I chose "citrus sprinkles" from her new statement brooch collection. Pictured below. There are currently just 5 left...

Get one for yourself 

Julia and I are meeting up tomorrow for the Leith Creative Trail and so I can collect my new brooch! I am also looking forward to seeing what local beauties we will discover as we wander about.

In other news this week - I worked and I charity shopped, therefore I am...(you will notice what is missing again, making my own A R T but don't worry - I am thinking about it in big ways).

Speaking of charity shopping, look at this treasure! I almost passed it by, but I am so glad I didn't, it's my new power ring. It's massive - it's vintage, I love it! 

chonky bling

However, I bought nothing today, except a necessary local bus ticket. I am a frugal person by necessity and design. I will also spend money on things I believe in. I believe in artists and makers. I believe in local businesses. I sure hope you do too. Money exchanged fairly and in alignment with my values gives me a good honest feeling. 

I can be an overthinker and worrier, and I have to research everything. I also deal with decision fatigue, but I have noticed that this rarely happens when it comes to art or second hand goods.

So this is my spiel this week. If you are able to at all (and I know it is hard out there - believe me I know) to carve out a budget for handmade/local/secondhand goods, please do try. It's like paying the light bill for your soul. And the artists/locals/charities can keep working for good and bringing more light.

I will leave you on that bright note and this reminder to take care, keep fighting, and keep lighting the way. I am thankful for you. 

Collection and colour: "Teddy" Sculpture by Christine Pike

And if you are still here and feel like dancing... I am still listening to this on repeat. 

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.

Two red lines = rest

latest canvas panel/ working snapshot

Good morning dear readers, 

The sun is rising, I am on my second cup of chai, and I am sitting in my favourite chair by the window. It is September and chai seems more appropriate than matcha. I am ill so it also seems more cosy. I tested positive for Covid yesterday. This will be the second time I have had it. 

Not to alarm, but if you and your pals have sore throats and "colds" just now, you might want to test as to avoid giving covid to someone. If you are in Scotland and happen to have any old government tests around they still seem to work. Mine lit up in seconds yesterday after testing negative on Monday when my throat first started hurting.

Also if you are ill, please stay home if you can or perhaps wear a mask when you are going to the shops or are riding the bus. It's just a nice thing to do. Being ill sucks - whether it truly is a cold or covid. Many of us haven't had a vaccine in ages these days and are more vulnerable. Okay, that's my spiel.

I am listening to this. A bit different from my usual vibes I know - but I do believe in the healing power of music. You might enjoy it if you are looking for some grounding, relaxing nature based music. 

Until I started feeling unwell on Monday afternoon, I had a nice time since last Friday's Studio Blog. On Friday, I met my pal Philip and did a bit of charity shopping and found some bargains (always a thrill). We also went to lunch at a vegan place I had been wanting to try. If you are local to Leith/Edinburgh, Faceplant on Duke Street is 100% vegan and a really cute spot. The food was great too! 

Later that afternoon, I  had a lovely art and life chat over video with my friend and fellow artist, Adelaide Shalhope. A great start to the weekend.

On Saturday, I worked in my garden weeding and tidying and learned how to make a new creamy iced fruit tea recipe. I also managed some batch cooking (so glad I had healthy food all prepared in the freezer as it has come in so handy this week). I went down a few wonderful musical rabbit holes and discovered some new songs and sounds. That is always a good thing. A lovely Saturday.

On Sunday, I went to the local car boot sale with Philip and found a couple of small treasures. On Sunday evening, as scheduled, I had the weekly art chat with my mom and rectified two canvases I had been working on the week prior. You can see one of them above. 

On Monday morning, I attended a webinar by Global Trade Department - "Q&A session with Royal Mail: Shipping to the US with Royal Mail and Parcelforce post 29th August." I attended the previous webinar as well, and the situation sounded pretty dire, but now things seem perhaps a bit more manageable. I know that these tariffs are very concerning and impact many UK small businesses and artists. You can find  the latest Q&A webinar here. Things are constantly changing so this is a helpful resource to know in order to stay up to date as things develop.

After the webinar, I met my friend and fellow artist Julia Laing in the city centre for a wander and a blether. We went for a tea and then walked towards Dundas street not thinking that most of the galleries would be closed (we did look in gallery windows - and Julia got to hear my rant about frames being akin to painting jail). We enjoyed a couple of antique shops, a pop up gallery, and then found our way to another coffee shop, where I noticed my throat starting to feel irritated and then we parted ways. I tested negative when I got home and put myself to bed thinking I had the beginnings of a cold. 

Tuesday I rested (and had wild dreams), Wednesday and Thursday I worked from home as usual until I tested positive and here we are. I am now coughing quite a bit as I type. I will most likely be returning to my bed again soon. I hope to be able to do my Sunday art session with my mom. 

And that was a week in this artist's life. One day soon, I might tell you about what is inspiring me, and some of the bigger ideas I have about the future of my art, but currently this reportage style suits me and gets the job done. 

Be well and rest. Thank you for stopping by and for supporting my work - especially my wee kofi crew: Tamsin, Jennifer, Annie, and Jennifer - you are such stars and I am so thankful. 

Until next week, keep fighting. 

Working and worrying

Works in progress from last Sunday's Session with Mom

Hello, Dear Readers,

How are you doing? I’m really glad it’s Friday—the weight of the world is wearing me out. My eyes are desperate to close for the day.

Here's the week in review. I attended the Scottish Artists Union's AGM last Saturday. I gave a wee 10 minute report on the happenings of the Rep Team. Afterwards, I met up with a pal for some matcha and charity shopping in Leith.

Sunday was art day with my mom (see above—laying the foundations for two new paintings). My mother and I have been talking and working on art for eight Sundays now. It’s been a good routine for both of us. I aim to complete at least one of those pieces this Sunday.

I watched the documentary, "Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk" on Sunday morning as well. It was inspiring. 

On Monday, I ventured into the hot wilderness of the city centre and felt "all lost in the supermarket" and tearful as I wandered through the mêlée. When I got home, I saw there was a warning of an active shooter at the University of Arkansas back in my hometown. This was very alarming. Thankfully, everyone was okay in the end, as it turned out to be a cruel and terrorising hoax. However, later in the week, there was another shooting, this time in Minneapolis. I can’t stand America’s relationship with guns.

On Tuesday, I participated in four video events—a training, two online workshops, and a meeting with a friend. On Wednesday and Thursday, I had work, and on Thursday night, I attended another workshop. And here we are. Today, I met a pal for some more charity shopping and a tasty vegan lunch. Afterwards, I had an art chat with a friend.

It was a busy week of working and worrying. But there was also a lot of learning, expanding, and feeling excited about possibilities.

I was strangely tempted to rescue a TV/VCR combo from the street but decided against it. And this is where I leave you.

the revolution will not be televised