May is here and other rumours . . . .

    Yes, I know, this blog post is well overdue. Nothing new there, you say! Don't tell me, you haven't realised yet, that I'm secretly training you into my ways of random bursts of information, at unexpected moments . . . . . . . . . . 

​Here in Scotland, we've already seen the snow drops in the woodland, the daffodils have been rejoicing the end to winter in the garden. Now it's the first day of May, the swallows are back from their winter holidays and the bluebells are carpeting the woodland here, a reminder that Summer days are coming soon!

It's been an eventful few months on many levels. On the artwork front, I'm thrilled to have been selected again, for the Spring Fling Open studios event, 25th - 27th May 2019. Back in March, The Artists and Makers Gallery in the Mill on the Fleet, at Gatehouse of Fleet invited me to join them, displaying my work at this popular visitor attraction. Plus, a selection of my artwork makes a return to Glentrool Arts and Crafts Gallery, between March and October. My work continues to be available at the Artists and Makers shop in Castle Douglas, all year round.

New abstract artwork this Spring has been inspired by many themes, from the incredible, unbelievable, often hilarious, village gossip, (the rumour machine), through Germination, to a winter trip to Argyll!

At home, the disruptive chaos of new insulation and renovation work to the upstairs progresses slowly, but surely. The sound of hammering is thudding upstairs as I write.

A long standing health issue became much more troublesome from Summer last year. After investigations and a series of unsuccessful treatments, it was decided that surgery was the best option for an improvement to my long term health. That was done 2 weeks ago and recovery is now going to plan. I did have concerns that I may come home looking like I'd done a sparring session with Mike Tyson! Apart from a temporary lump on the side of my nose, due to the dissolvable packing and dark rings under my eyes from lack of sleep, the surgery left no visible signs it had taken place. So grateful we have our National Health Service, where would we be without it? I'm really hoping my energy levels are soon restored, ready for the 3 days of the Spring Fling open studios event.

In March I ran a full day workshop, 'Meaningful Mark-making', here in my home/studio. I wanted to introduce people to being 'creative', to be expressive and to learn by exploring ideas/techniques without any pressure to complete a finished piece of work. We began with creative mark-making at random and with intent, using many different tools and objects, using black ink. After morning coffee there was a short guided meditation to aid focus and creative thought, before an introduction to composition and basic colour theory. This was then applied to the black and white work done earlier. After a light lunch we moved on to beginning an abstract acrylic work, on board, to be taken home at the end of the day. The day flew by and the ladies on the course really threw themselves into the expressive mark-making during the morning. Later they created some thoughtful artwork, an expression of their own individual styles. I received some great feedback and hope to repeat the workshop during the Summer/Autumn. If you go over to my Facebook page, you can take a look at the working 'in the zone' video clips taken during the workshop sessions. It was really inspiring as they explored the mark-making possibilities and I watched their confidence grow throughout the day. If you would be interested in this workshop, just get in touch for more information.

As I was not to do anything 'strenuous' these past 2 weeks, I've been exploring ideas for printmaking, planning for Spring Fling, knitting a fabulous, colourful hoodie jacket for my Grandson and quietly healing from my surgery. There is the usual, ever growing, 'to do' list and the weeds in the garden just keep getting taller, but hopefully, all will be ready for Spring Fling later this month! 24 DAYS TO GO!

Returning from last year, will be the popular- 'name the artwork' draw during Spring Fling weekend. It's free to enter, visitors just give the work a title. If your entry is drawn out on Monday 27th at 5.30pm, the artwork is yours. There were wonderful titles suggested last year, can't wait to see what ideas visitors have this year. I met such a friendly, creative bunch of visitors last year and I'm really looking forward to welcoming visitors again this year.
See you soon!
Liz


Cherish your journey