Last time I blogged was February. Shocking. It was so grey. I was so low in spirits. Terrifying thoughts of how short a time I have left. The bleak prospect of watching someone I loved slipping inexorably down. Inevitably following him into the abyss. It seemed unkind to desert him for more than a few minutes to pursue my personal needs or even to think about painting.
But that was then. Miraculously things have improved. The dreadful Covid isolation has eased. We have had a visit from his daughters from Australia. Their long-distance support turned briefly into two weeks of a physical presence with such love, kindness, practicality giving me sheer relief and delegation of my erstwhile total responsibility. With their encouragement I am achieving a slight shift in my attitude to our situation. Gradually enabling me to come to terms with putting things into compartments and switching off one stream of thought at a time. So I’m now beginning to see that I really can devote energy and attention to art again.
This is the start of the proposed new work.
Interestingly, though not seeking to further my art practise, it seems to have taken on a life of it’s own. Things have a way of happening under their own volition when you stop trying. An invitation to stage a solo exhibition in a beautiful venue simply popped up. It was a dream opportunity. The Gallery owner hung the work, organised the Private View and invigilated the whole show. Then the crowning glory was selling my largest painting for £1000.
Next came another exhibition shared with Amy Drayson at Carousel Gallery in Framlingham. This proved less of a financial success but was enjoyable nevertheless. Amy and I are now preparing for an exhibition at Woodbridge and are optimistic that this might be better.
I feel energised to produce more work and have started a new series using oil paint instead of acrylic. Somehow I have lurched from the depths of despair into a more positive frame of mind. I’m currently firming up ideas to revisit previous themes after scanning through sketchbooks. Until now I’ve danced around too many topics and genres. It’s time to concentrate and dig deeper. In my next blog more details of the progression will emerge.
