The true liminal space and the comfort of art

I left my flat in Scotland at 3 am on Tuesday morning for a 6 am flight to Amsterdam, onward to Minneapolis, and then finally to Arkansas. I was due to arrive in Arkansas at 4:25 on Tuesday afternoon. KLM/Delta was in charge of the flying. All I had to do was eat super tasty vegan food, listen to music, and watch a documentary on Rita Moreno. My other task was to glide through the airports - the true liminal space. 

Once I arrived at Schiphol, I knew I wanted to find the Rijks museum in the airport and so I did. A wee calm oasis awaited me. No more racing people, no loud calls from the speakers above, no hustle and bustle, just art in a dark space. A pause for beauty - inspiring and restorative. A quick breakfast salad and then on to my gate bound for Minneapolis. The flight was delayed by well over an hour and I knew that it would make my last connection close to impossible but I wasn't worried. 

I sat next to a lovely couple from Minnesota on the long flight, we made conversation and took cat naps as we flew like birds. I got a message from the airline app in the middle of the flight to say that they were sorry for the delay and I would be put on a new flight the following morning.

I decided I would be spending the night in the airport and I was okay with it. However, once I landed on the ground and made it through customs and immigration, there seemed like a chance I could make the final connection. I rechecked my luggage and ran through the entire airport. It was 30 degrees warmer in Minnesota that what I am used to and even though the air conditioning was in full effect, the passive solar heat from the huge windows was roasting me as I ran in an attempt to hold the plane. I almost made it but they had stopped boarding and shut the door. I slid down a wall to catch my breath and to rest while. I would be on that next flight tomorrow morning just as the app predicted. 

I spent from 2:30 that afternoon until 8:30 the next morning getting to know the MSP airport. Some chats with friends and family followed and an overpriced dinner was purchased. A couple of 20 minute massages from the robot chairs soothed the spasm in my trap caused by running with my heavy bags.

I found my accommodation for the night within a public art space video installation. This made me laugh as well as feel safe and completely in my element.

Art saves. I trust art, we are friends.

I would "sleep" to the repeating video compilation of artists talking about their varied practices. This was perfect. I had a spot off the main concourse with plug points to charge everything, free WiFi, and even a vending machine with cacao nib vegan chia pudding, that was cold and delightful at 2 in the morning. As the artists repeatedly talked to me about their passions, I would sleep for 2 hours at a time. I meditated and did yoga when sleep eluded me. I washed my hair in the bathroom sink and refreshed myself for the morning flight ahead. I sort of love being put in these types of situations. I am a worrier and over-thinker, but when things go awry, I can get pretty clear about what I need and how to make the best of it. So that's what I did. It's good to be reminded of this trait. 

I arrived at my gate at 5 am for a departing flight at 8:55 am. I greeted the woman who had turned me away from the gate the day before. A cheerful good morning was shared and I told her I was going to be on that plane. We shared a laugh and she said "Yes, you are, and I am moving you up to comfort plus - you will be on that plane." All was well. I chatted with a stranger about the upcoming election and then it was time to fly. 

A quick hop later and I was on the ground in Arkansas. A dear friend picked me up from the ever expanding XNA regional airport. My bag had arrived the night before on the plane (that I really could have been on) but I was just glad it was all there. Hot dry air hit me as I rolled my suitcase to her car. I am back in Arkansas - for the first time since my last visit had me flying out in January 2018.

We arrived at her house, which is the same house I left back in 2014 to move to Scotland. I hugged "my friend tree" (that's it's proper name) and said hello to my beloved cats Rufus and Evie's graves. I am home - it all still exists. 

Jet lagged but content, I listen to the bugs in the trees at night, look to the sky, amazed by the stars, and the sweet freight train calls out in the night. 

 I am home. I am home. I am home...

I dedicate this post to my community, my friends, my co-workers at the Scottish Artists Union, and everyone who has had a kind and supportive word. I wasn't travelling alone, you were all there with me. Thank you. 

We sail today

Paul Banks of Interpol 

Hello Dear Readers!!

I got myself into the studio Monday from 10-2:30, Tuesday from 9-11, and again on Friday from 11:30-2:30. I recorded another Tuesday Studio Video Visit from my studio, organised most of my favourite materials, received my new drawing board, organised a survey for the Drill Hall resident artists, attended a meeting with a few artists, and started and finished a painting!

And I saw Interpol on Wednesday Night! Interpol = finished painting. It's a fact. It was my first completed abstract painting since last autumn. I am finding my way. 

It was my 7th time seeing Interpol and maybe the best gig yet! Certainly, the shortest distance I have ever travelled. Amazing. I was high as a kite the next day. Invigorated.

May 31, 2007
Interpol /
Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, Texas, United States

Aug 01, 2007
Interpol / Calla
The Pageant St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Sep 27, 2007
Interpol / Atmosphere / Liars
Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, Texas, United States

Oct 10, 2007
Interpol / Liars
Uptown Theater Kansas City, Missouri, United States

April 20, 2011
Interpol / The School of Seven Bells
Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

February 14, 2015
Interpol /
Barrowlands, Glasgow, Scotland

May 31, 2023
Interpol / Water From Your Eyes

O2 Academy, Edinburgh, Scotland

If you want to read about the relationship between me, Interpol, and art then just type "Interpol" in the search bar of this blog in the top left. This is a band that I have painted countless paintings to with their songs on repeat, over and over again. They sort of resuscitated me when I thought I was getting old back in 2007 (lolz - I was only 35) and at 51 they still do the trick. 

Go see live music. Go see your favourite band over and over again. Have a healthy obsession. I am so grateful that I have been seeing live music since I was 13.

Right, so my art. 

The Tuesday Studio Video Visit:  Abundance in the studio. 

I love my tools - these are my friends.

After I filmed the video I couldn't help but start a painting. I needed to make some marks on that wall so it didn't stay too pristine for too long. And the finished result is below. It's all the rage back home... 

I listened to one song on repeat (of course). 

That's this week's studio blog. Thanks for your encouragement, support, and for being along for the ride. Take care until next week.

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After the way

On an 8-mile local walk this week

There was the blog that I wanted to post today and the blog you are getting. 

I started the first option yesterday, writing about the 10 days on the John Muir Way with my niece Elena, but found it quite overwhelming as I just couldn't focus in the way I wanted. But I have started and will finish it eventually. I decided to just post something for this week and take some of the self-imposed pressure off. I can't believe it has already been a whole week since we got off The Way and took a train back to Edinburgh from Dunbar. 

This week was a return to some sort of normalcy. I hadn't been on a holiday in so long that I forgot about the odd phase right after. So, I tidied up the house, unpacked, did laundry, and watered the plants. I checked in with friends and some family. I caught up on some sleep (I didn't sleep that great while on The Way) and took a few naps. I returned to some work and mentored an artist and took care of business emails, I recorded my Tuesday Studio Video Visit and attended scheduled appointments. I applied for and received my Scot Rail "Club 50" Smart Rail Card (for reduced-priced train travel). I visited a few friends, took myself out for a chai latte, and I made sure to walk daily, anywhere from 2 to 10 miles. I threw in a couple of sessions of aerobics and some yoga for good measure. I realised that it is these more or less daily exercise habits that enabled me to "just go" on the 135-mile (official) John Muir Way (it was 170 miles in total with extraneous walking) over 10 days, spontaneously without too much issue or injury. 

I must admit that right now everything seems a bit dull. I miss my effervescent niece and I miss the task of simply putting one foot in front of the other with a pack on your back and winding up in a farmer's field, a scenic glen, or in a grove of trees by the sea and sleeping somewhere new as you go. The nomadic life (of sorts) appeals to me. Constantly moving forward, exploring, with only a few responsibilities, and all under your own steam seems like a good way to spend time on the planet at least periodically. There are so many lessons and learnings on the way.

Getting out on a few longer walks this week (I even stepped out on a bit of the local John Muir Way again) seemed like a good way to transition and to remember how much local beauty there is that I get to explore each day. I feel very fortunate.

I know this is an art blog - but I also know that walking factors into my art. It certainly factors into my enjoyment of life and allows me the space to listen to my head and heart and to get clear about things. 

I think that is all I have for you this week, a return to normalcy - a simple post about a simple joy. 

Until next week, take good care.

The risk that brought me here

Pettiwick Bay, St. Abbs.

Adventures are good for the soul. For the past two weeks, our friend James has taken us in his car (we don't have one and I haven't gotten my UK license yet) to places I have never seen. Last week we went to the lovely village of Culross in Fife. This week, we walked high on cliffs above the North Sea at St. Abbs. 

I sat above the sea on the mossy ground and breathed in the air and listened to the wavelets on the shore below. I imagined all the people before me who had seen the view and all the people who would see it in the future. This place isn't going anywhere, but I am just passing through. I thought about the power of the land to soothe, inspire and intrigue.

After our Scottish seaside adventure, we crossed the border to England and wandered the town of Berwick upon Tweed. We walked around looking at their ramparts, bridges, and buildings. And then just like that (thanks to James' driving), we were home for dinner. 

I never thought I would see any of this. I certainly never thought I would live here and be able to walk these cliffs or get to know this land. It's a risk that brought me here and risks can feel scary and unsure. Just like making art. 

This week I have been working on a possible commission and I am a little out of my comfort zone but at the same time excited and challenged. Here's my Tuesday Studio Visit Video with more on that. 

I don't have any photos of the possible commission that I can share, as it is a possible gift. That is if I can materialize it to my satistfaction. It's all good and secretive on my end and may not even happen, but it's giving me plenty to think about and work on, and that is a gift to me. 

It's the first of September, there is rain on the cobbles and a coolness to the air. I think I am going to grab another cup of tea and head to the studio for another adventure in risk. 

Take care out there. Until next week, keep fighting.