Ends and new beginnings …
Away from blogland for a while. I return after a few weeks of ups and downs, celebrations and deliberations that have left me or not. Who am I to dare to suggest that life should return to normal or whatever normal is. So, after a little break from my full-time employment I have ‘enjoyed’ 5 days of facing the above mentioned phenomena; which has had mixed results.
One day I spent the day sightseeing in London and the evening at the Palladium with Grayson Perry. The next day I returned to London for the Small Publishers’ Fair at Conway Hall. Following that, I spent Saturday at a Private View of my joint art exhibition at a local art gallery. Then, Sunday morning I spent helping to set up another exhibition; my work and others in the corridors of a nearby hospital. Today, I am meeting a colleague at the University to talk through the ways I which I can begin using my press, although I have made some inroads, it is like going into the lion’s den so I need some tuition.
It has been a full and exciting time and underlines the previous time of difficulties and achievement and catapults me into an ocean of unknown … this image not perfect ; represents the flaws and difficulties of life and the jewels and shape of fulfillment and future …
Silent Sunday …
Silent Sunday …
Snapshot from the library …
A vision from the library … I have been working with our Wizard of Oz collection for a couple of years. It has been a background task in support of a cataloguer. It has been fun but not particularly interesting; but hope that now it is almost finished it will attract some attention. Most of the books reflected the cinematographic element of the work, however those like this one were a welcome distraction.
Sun on Monday …
Its Monday morning and there is a beautiful day ahead. Those who follow my blog and my reflections on the previous week, will be aware of my fluctuations between moods; from self-pitying junk to self-contractionary claptrap and back again. At work I have a ‘do I, don’t I retire?’ attitude to my paid employment, My art, its practice and resultant works go from love to hate, then there is the lack of hair ‘shall I, shan’t I bare all ?’ and then the cold wind makes the decision; hat! My mental state is by its nature is bipolar and while not connected directly to any of the above is managed better if my life is grounded. So, where am today? Yes , beautiful and the weekend was good. Having had a successful exhibition at the Rising Sun Art Centre where Book Face took part in the celebrations for Reading Year of Culture. With that and Reading in Reading, we had a two day show celebrating book arts, it is an annual event and over the last few years it as become a spectacular occasion with of course lots of works related to the production of books plus selected music and the reading of poetry. It was my intention to read a recent poem but ducked out and I do regret that a little. However, on a positive note, I showed a collection of art books created while in Brazil and since. I launched my book, The Teapot at sea and sold some copies and other related materials and even works ‘not for sale’. So very happy today, especially as during that time I collected my press, received a super imposing stone and the sun is shining …
I will expect a little of a slump from this place but will hit the floor running when I prepare for the next project.
Meanwhile I would like to thank those who supported me at the weekend and the all at the Rising Sun Arts Centre … where there is lovely hub of volunteers gunning for the likes of me getting a leg up in art world … when there is so much stacked against us, whether it is in our minds or simply under the restraints of austerity.
So happy Monday.
it will not be silent today …
I hope … yesterday was good … lots of visitors.
Thank you all for dropping by …
Today at the Rising Sun Arts Centre
Today I launch my book. I cannot remember when I began to ‘write’ it but it must have been over a year ago. Although, it was my intention to make several copies; I didn’t think it through very well and the finished result is not as I hoped.
However, as the ‘mistakes’ accumulated so I learned that future books would be created more thoughtfully.
So while this book was having to make do with alternative production, plans for my next work were being made.
On Sunday after long searching and then a thorough overhaul I take possession of a printing press. For a year I have been preparing to make booklets; having lessons, workshops and even attended writing classes.
Monday I begin life as a printer.
Meanwhile, this weekend at the Rising Sun Art Centre I have an exhibition of one off booklets I have made without the use of a press and launch my book; albeit 12 copies
Silent Sunday
Hello Saturday …
At St Bride’s Foundation on William Morris Paper
How was your week? Mine was mixed but generally good. The highlight was a day at the St Bride Foundation where I learned more about the Adana 8×5 and produced a piece of text. No more to be said really, just great to be one more step on my journey to be a printer … and have a little press at home!
My press and my last fount will with luck arrive this week, an imposing stone is coming next Monday and this week I will be thinking about inks and buying some.
Here is a poem printed at St Bride on William Morris paper … such a joy!
No eye brows!
Coming to terms with another bout of alopecia that is developing into alopecia universalis; I decided to take a few days off work. I have ‘suffered’ from alopecia all my life and and always recovered one way or another. The cause is not ever discovered and the betterness is usually welcomed but always tentative. I have never thought about the disorder as it seems to come and then go, to concern myself would make matters worse; I think. However, this time I find myself loosing all my hair, body hair is bearable, but being without eye lashes and brows for a mascara girl is horrible … So have been spending a few days giving up trying remember where my brows were and discarding the pencil!
Like I said I’ve been here before and regrowth may happen but a few days leave has given me some space to feel sorry for myself and do a bit of art.
I began doing these screen prints a week or two back and it was a bit of a failure. However I decided to carry on using the original paper and stencils but with a new frame and better squeegee. So the effect is random … but like my ugly child I can see her redeeming features.
The days have been well spent; I have one more to go and tomorrow I will visit St Bride’s Foundation and ‘they’ will I think care little about my no eyebrows
Coat Hanger Doll's House 