I know where I have been

It was a good week. On Tuesday I spent 9 hours in my studio, moving, cleaning, and touching everything - making space. As I handled my materials and put my like objects with like objects, I remembered a little more about what I have dedicated my life to and what I value. I enjoyed my time in the studio - it felt good with new energy and purpose.

Box cutters, scissors, glue, twine, pastels, charcoal, brush after brush, paint, papers and canvas, work in progress, and finished works were all there on hold, patiently waiting for my return.

They issued statements, dedications, lamentations, and more importantly declarations.

I make things and experiences. I elicit feelings. I love it when you feel. Better you than me. Just kidding, feelings drip off me like honey. I have feelings to spare, have a spoonful. 

I posted a Tuesday Studio Video Visit after my marathon clean, if you haven't seen it yet, here it is again.

In other news, I also made time to pop by a friend's exhibition this week. Esther Donaldson was showing her brilliant portraits as part of a 3 woman show called, “Untraced Stories” at Dundas Street Gallery. I’m lucky I caught it just before it closed.

Find and follow these talented artists on Instagram and beyond.

@estherdonaldsonart / Esther Donaldson

@justinemarymiller / Justine Miller

@rosybpainter / Rosy Barnes

I was too busy chatting with the artists and enjoying the exhibition to take photos, but here’s a photo of my newest acquisition - this wonderful portrait by Esther Donaldson. I have wanted one of her fabulous portraits for a while now, so I’m delighted!

Portrait by Esther Donaldson

Detail by Esther Donaldson

Besides all of this, there has been meditation, yoga, exercise, walks, other bits and pieces of work and all the self-care you can shake a stick at. I love the spring - the flowers, the fresh green, and the new beginnings.

This morning, I listened to this old song and danced.

Try it and then continue to fight the power. Joy is necessary!

Thank you for your support.

Final Weekend: Advancing the Abstract

This is the final weekend to view 'Advancing the Abstract' in Gallery 2 on the third floor of Edinburgh Palette

Open from 12-5pm this Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy this video visit and come see us!

Featuring work by:

Esther Donaldson

Megan Chapman

Judith Shaylor

Susan Elizabeth Wilson

Don’t miss it!

#Artunlocks #abstractionistas #Edinburgh #Scotland

Advancing the Abstract continues...

'Advancing the Abstract' in Gallery 2 on the third floor of Edinburgh Palette

Open from 12-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy this video visit and come see us!

Featuring work by:

Esther Donaldson

Megan Chapman

Judith Shaylor

Susan Elizabeth Wilson

Don’t miss it!

#Artunlocks #abstractionistas #Edinburgh #Scotland

'Advancing the Abstract' opens today!

The Abstractionistas exhibition, 'Advancing the Abstract' is on today from 12-5pm at the Edinburgh Palette in Gallery 2 on the third floor. Buzz reception at the London Road entrance or enter through the car park. The opening reception is tomorrow from 2-6pm. We would love to see you there! Tickets: https://bit.ly/exhibitiontickets I may update this post later with more photos! Please do come along if you are near Edinburgh and are able. Thank you for your support.

We are the Abstractionistas!

Esther Donaldson
estherdonaldson.com

Megan Chapman
meganchapman.com

Judith Shaylor
judithshaylor.com

Susan Wilson
susanelizabethwilson.com

Join us next week at our inaugural exhibition, Advancing The Abstract in Gallery 2 at the Edinburgh Palette, St. Margaret's House, Edinburgh. Reserve your free tickets now. The exhibition is from July 9-25. Gallery hours 12-5 daily. Reception July 10 from 2-6pm. Click for tickets. We'd love to see you there. 

Two exhibitions! Make plans to attend!

Hello Dear Studio Blog Readers, 

I am happy to share again that I have work coming up in two exhibitions in July. It's time to get serious about the promotion of both of them. So here goes with thanks to both press releases. If you are local to Edinburgh or plan to visit, I hope you can catch one if not both of these exhibitions. 

Artwork by Abigail Osborne ‘a lot of people want you to throw this away' (2020)

granton:hub is pleased to announce that our community is now included in the 'Coastal Knowledge’ project funded by the RSE Young Academy Scotland and led by Dr Niki Vermeulen (University of Edinburgh) celebrating Scotland’s (prolonged) year of coast and waters.

As a coastal community, Granton plays a part in developing diverse forms of knowledge about the coast and experiences that people have living and working on the coast.

The Recycl-Age Art exhibition was selected as part of this Coastal Knowledge project and is included in the 2021 Edinburgh Science festival, offering artists a unique opportunity to showcase their work. Recycl-Age Art 2021 includes painters, printmakers, collage artists, ceramicists, illustrators, photographers, textile artists, jewellers, composers, poets and makers. Many artworks incorporate recycled elements, indeed several are made of 100% recycled and repurposed materials. Some artists reflect on what recycling means to them, figuratively or conceptually

With contributions from: Marta Adamowicz –  Elise Ashby – Anna Baran – Emily Brooks Millar – Sandra Brown – Megan Chapman – Erin Colquhoun – Michael Dawson – Gina Fierlafijn Reddie – Penny Forbes – Komachi Goto – David Gray – Lorna Johnson – Jessica Kirkpatrick – Victor Nobis – Valerie O’Regan – Abigail Osborne – Ludovica Perosin – Ian Reddie – Judith Shaylor – Jacqueline Thow – Mark Urban – Rosemary Walker – Bev Wright

Here is the preview video:

I am delighted to participate in this exciting exhibition. As you may recall I was very inspired by the granton hub when I showed there in the past and wrote a blog about the experience. You can read that post again here. That positive experience encouraged me to apply to become a volunteer at the hub. I have been enjoying helping behind the scenes in preparation for the Recyl-Age exhibition.

On to the next big show... 

A really exciting moment is approaching for the Abstractionistas, the new abstract collective of which I am a proud member. I really hope to see you at this exhibition.

Advancing the Abstract’ debut exhibition by Abstractionistas collective

Friday 9 July 2021 - Sunday 25 July 2021

Reception: Saturday 10 July 2021, 2-6 pm

Open daily from 12-5 pm

Gallery Two, Edinburgh Palette, St. Margaret’s House

151 London Road

Edinburgh

EH7 6AE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abstractionistas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abstractionistas

Book your Free Exhibition Tickets: https://bit.ly/exhibitiontickets

‘Advancing the Abstract’ is the debut exhibition from a new collective of abstract painters based in Scotland. The collective, aptly named, The Abstractionistas, is currently made up of four artists - Esther Donaldson, Megan Chapman, Judith Shaylor and Susan Wilson. These women bring a depth of experience in the arts and a firm dedication to abstract expression, each one striking a different chord with their use of colour, line, space, and drama.

The goal of the collective is to create more opportunities to share the enduring importance, power and pull of abstraction with viewers across Scotland. Please join us for this exciting inaugural exhibition.

The exhibition will be open to the public, subject to current government guidelines. Masks are required except for those who are exempt, social distancing will be in place, and hand sanitiser will be available.

Please book your free tickets on Eventbrite so that we can provide you with a safer and more enjoyable exhibition experience. There are 10 tickets available for each 30-minute time slot to allow for physical distancing.

To attend the opening reception please select ticket times between 2-6 pm on Saturday 10 July. All the artists will be available at this time and would love to see you there!

Exhibition update: Advancing the Abstract

Advancing the Abstract

Friday 9 July 2021 - Sunday 25 July 2021

Reception: Saturday 10 July 2021, 2-6 pm

Open daily from 12-5 pm

Gallery Two, Edinburgh Palette, St. Margaret’s House

151 London Road

Edinburgh

EH7 6AE

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abstractionistas/

Follow our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abstractionistas

Get your free Tickets: https://bit.ly/exhibitiontickets

‘Advancing the Abstract’ is the debut exhibition from a new collective of abstract painters based in Scotland. The collective, aptly named, The Abstractionistas, is currently made up of four artists - Esther Donaldson, Megan Chapman, Judith Shaylor and Susan Wilson. These women bring a depth of experience in the arts and a firm dedication to abstract expression, each one striking a different chord with their use of colour, line, space, and drama.

The goal of the collective is to create more opportunities to share the enduring importance, power and pull of abstraction with viewers across Scotland. Please join us for this exciting inaugural exhibition.

The exhibition will be open to the public, subject to current government guidelines. Masks are required except for those who are exempt, social distancing will be in place, and hand sanitiser will be available.

Please book your free tickets on Eventbrite so that we can provide you with a safer and more enjoyable exhibition experience. There are 10 tickets available for each 30-minute time slot to allow for physical distancing.

To attend the opening reception please select ticket times between 2-6 pm on Saturday 10 July. All the artists will be available at this time and would love to see you there!