So here we go again, I haven’t blogged for 2 years!!!! Crazy! I’ve just left my old studio in Arena, Liverpool (so sad) and moved to a new much bigger space in Birkenhead on the Wirral. I’m Wirral based so the move was a no brainer, saving on diesel, tunnel fees and parking. Huge savings for a self employed artist.
The studio is about 3 times as large as my old one but there are only 4 of us there as opposed to the 26 Arena artist.
Timewise, we never seem to be in the studio at the same times either so it might be a bit lonely. However determined to immerse myself in my work soon so maybe I won’t notice as much.
I’ve had a bad couple of years really. Medically and mentally, I’m not going into details, you won’t read on if I do but needless to say it’s been tough. I’m recovering, I’m well.
Robin Williams, amazing comedian and actor died last night, apparent suicide. I’m so saddened for him and hius family, such a loss. He’d suffered depression for years. It’s a horrible illness, been there done that. Never felt suicidal though thankfully. I know how hard it is and can’t imagine what he must have been going through to feel that bad he ended his own life. It’s made me realise I don’t have to keep quiet about it, there is nothing to be ashamed of, so many people think there is a stigma to being depressed or think you need to just ‘get over it’. It’s not that easy but reaching out and speaking out helps a lot.
I decided to throw caution to the wind and restart my blog today as I make a new start with my art.
I have been making a living ‘crafting’ with my new small business for a few months, it’s kept me ticking over but it’s not what I’m passionate about. I’d rather be self employed doing crafts and art of any kind than be emplyed in an ooffice job at the mo. It’s going ok and I will continue to do it but this next year will be about applying for more commissions or residencies, actually getting myself out there again, wherever there may be.
Residencies are tough as I have a family and my youngest lad is still only 9, too young to leave yet. But we’ll see what comes along.
Anyway, in the meantime I’ve exhibited at Liverpool Central Library as part of the Liverpool Book Art exhibition and I’ve exhibited with Scibase in Jamestown, New York and at Arena Liverpool so have not been sitting idle.
My new studio is just a starting point for bigger things, once I’ve sorted out shelving and actually unpacked properly I can get down to some work. I have lots of ideas brewing but my brother and his family have been over from Australia so the ideas where put on hold while I spend quality time with them all.
Taking August to sort, tidy, reorganise my life then come September I have no excuses, it’s all about the art.
:D
