Art, Culture, and Community

dark foundations

 

Good morning, foot soldiers of culture,

It is just after seven in the morning as I take a deep breath and sit down to write. The light is warm as the yellow window shade moves back and forth in the breeze. Nils Frahm's song, Talisman will be the soundtrack for my post today - over and over again, feeling new each time, like a warm dark wave. 

As I mentioned last week, the Spanish band, Los Retumbes were in Edinburgh on tour. I went to see them again on Saturday at Elvis Shakespeare. These shows are Leith's version of a Tiny Desk Concert, held in a combined book and record shop. I was really glad I got to see them again in my community. 

When I am enjoying live music, my mind often puts together a whole new story while the bands are playing. A narrative that includes how beautiful the community of like minded souls are as they watch the band and how lucky I am to be part of it. Everything feels more connected and special, like a dream come true. I am exactly where I am meant to be in that moment.

Los Retumbes at Elvis Shakespeare on Leith Walk

After the musical excitement, it was a mellow weekend of chores, and the sixth week of art chat with my mother (you can see my progress above). I will try to finish those canvases off this Sunday. 

I watched the ITV interview with Nicola Sturgeon on Monday and plan to start listening to her memoir this weekend. I am glad I got to experience her tenure as First Minister of Scotland. I took comfort that a woman just under two years older than me, from a working class background was in charge. 

a photo I took of Nicola Sturgeon in 2019

In other news, besides work, I took a few walks, took some photos, saw a gorgeous moon, and attended three webinars on a variety of educational and training topics, along with two other video events. 

It felt like a busy and well rounded week. All the while the bigger art concepts are rolling around in my head. I still need to process those and bring them to the light of day. All in good time. 

I am about to meet a pal for a morning walk and will meet another friend on Sunday for some more culture - just another week in this artist's life. 

Until next week, please take care and keep fighting. 

The special sale continues

Sleep Laughing
Part of my special sale

It's grey and damp as we approach the end of October. The trees are golden with many leaves on the ground with the wind. I am trying to get this written before the weekly studio meeting. I missed the last two.

My special autumn sale continues. I have added 12 new pieces to the sale since last week. I added more of my small original mounted works on paper at the more affordable price of £40. £16 from each of those sales goes to bikes for refugees.

I have also added more of my framed original works as well at £195, £250, and £295. These works can be purchased on a 3-month instalment plan and that is clearly marked on the sale site. So if you looked at my sale last week, please look again. 

40% of all sales will be donated to Bikes for Refugees. 

I recorded a Tuesday Studio Video Visit this week as well. I have missed recording our visits - I hope you enjoy it. I talk a bit about the sale and the important work that Bicycles for Refugees does. 

What a dance it was
Part of my special sale

That's all I have for you this week. I need to head out the door soon. I hope you are well, happy and inspired wherever you are, and if you are not - tomorrow is a new day. I know it's hard out there. Let's start small with ourselves, then our communities, and then may it expand outward to all beings. Keep fighting. I am thankful for you. 

Until next week, take care. 

You can’t be what you can’t see

“I agree with activist Marian Wright Edelman, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ so it’s extremely important for women to be seen being artists as well as supporting each other in the process.” Here I am in the studio today, with a new shipment of canvases. 

Be seen being an artist.

Be seen working. 

Be seen taking up space. 

Be seen in your power. 

Be seen being brave. 

Be seen being assertive. 

Be seen making a mess of things. 

Be seen making something beautiful, wretched, or scary. 

Be seen contradicting yourself. 

Be seen screaming. 

Be seen trying something new and failing. 

Be seen crying and vulnerable. 

Be seen being ugly. 

Be seen being your most beautiful human self. 

Be seen loving the planet. 

Be seen loving strangers. 
Be seen loving animals.

Be seen meditating. 

Be seen doing yoga. 

Be seen dancing wildly.

Be seen getting it wrong.

Be seen getting it right.

Be seen caring about yourself. 

Be seen loving all those who come into contact with you. 

Be seen cheering someone on. 

Be seen making a difference. 

Be seen laughing like mad. 

Be seen making your own personal history. 

Be seen on the edge of your comfort zone. 

Be seen being strong. 

Be seen being weak. 

Be seen making a mistake. 
Be seen trying again.
Be seen changing your mind.
Be seen reclaiming your time. 

Be seen reclaiming your space.

Be seen asking for what you want. 

Be seen asking for what you need. 

Be seen being sure of your opinions. 

Be seen embracing all your quirks. 

Be seen with your brushes, canvases, and paint splattered shoes. 

Be seen with your tools of the trade whatever they may be.
Be seen with your economy of line and your wild intuition. 

Do not get small, do not fade away, do not give up... we need you here. In you, I see myself and together we are stronger. 

Thank you. 

Back from the brink

detail. work in progress. 

Deconstructivism. That is my word of the day.

I am back in my studio working on the same paintings that I started a month or so ago. It's only since last week's experiment that I have decided I really like it when the canvas bits aren't so uniform and perfectly glued down. At first, I was trying to cover up the old maps adhered to the panel with bits of raw canvas and begin anew but now I really like the maps peeking out. This morning when I got to the studio, I started painting the previously coffee stained canvas bits white. I then spontaneously pulled one of the glued pieces of canvas off to see what it revealed and then I fell in love with what I saw and I remembered things.

I kept pulling bits off, saving the pieces and then later reconstructing the deconstruction. I just wanted to enjoy the textures, the energy, the colors from underneath and I didn't really care if it looked damaged. I love things that look damaged just like I love it when the greenery overtakes forgotten buildings. This is happening in these works, rebuilding, decay and then tearing it down and putting it back up but with the decay rearranged. These works are not smooth and will not be glossy afterwards. These works are dirty and wrecked but in this wreckage you find beauty. You find little gems and it feels honest. The whole time I was thinking, make the work you want to make. Make the work you want to see. This is my revolution. Tear it apart. It felt wonderful. I don't know when I last felt this, I just can't even remember.

And time did that thing! I put on an album and walked away and suddenly fifteen long songs had played and I couldn't believe it, it was as if I just put the record on. That rarely ever happens anymore. Today it happened. No wonder artists get so depressed, to feel this and then to have it go away! It's like being a magician and someone takes your magic away for a long time and locks it in a box and hides it right under your nose with the key around your neck but you still can't find it. It is horrible.

So what changed? Well, today I saw my future and I hadn't even dared to dream of one in such a long time. I completed a three week meditation course yesterday meaning that today I could either stop or find another. I found another one based on imagining our desires and manifesting those feelings into life. After the meditation I wrote exactly what I envisioned and what it felt like. I hadn't dared to think that way in ages. I had to unlock that box. I had to dare to dream, dare to want, dare to try. 

I hope I get to stay here for a while but I will take what I can get. I was just beginning to wonder why I was doing so much yoga, meditation and self care and I was feeling like I wanted to quit and then today happened. That is why we must never give up. We are setting the stage for today.

Make the work you want to make. Make the work you want to see. This is my revolution. Tear it apart.