I have been sitting here thinking about how on earth to start my first blog in over seven months. Can I explain or put into words, the huge changes that have happened in my life since I last wrote? I can’t. Nothing I would say could do justice, or pay sufficient respect to all those people that kept me going. They were there in the hardest times and are still now encouraging and supporting me. I can’t thank them all enough, they had faith that I could carry on. Even when I thought I didn’t know how to.
Art has been the one thing that has at times taken me to a place of calm and security. I lose hours drawing and I become a happier person as a result. I may not have been writing much but drawing, painting and photography has been a daily routine. I joined Instagram last year and through that community, I made some really good friends, it’s is also amazing the things you learn just by looking at other peoples creativity. I have used it as a sounding board for my stuff too, getting far more positive feedback than I would have thought. Having over 700 regular followers of my work through Instagram, now gives me the objectivity to fill my galleries here with the most popular work. I tried to keep my opinion out of it, as I tend to be a little too critical maybe.
Over the last couple of weeks or so, this is what I have worked on, visually speaking. Moreover I hope you enjoy the art here. I promise to keep in touch for here on in, even if I just let the art tell a story of it’s own.
In the half light
From There to Here
April Moon
Kinetic Minds
Red Islands. With Gavin Brickwood, his photograph, my edit.
If I had my way, I would sit and draw, or go out and shoot photographs, in preference to housework any day. So you’ll find that I will go through stages of being a ‘Monica’ (house exceptionally clean) to wandering around with a ink pen in hand, ignoring the fact that I need to hoover. Or eat. Or do the laundry.
I have been blessed to have my very best friend in the world, over from Australia for the last 4 weeks. We have spent some lovely times together with her family, as well as quality time, just her and me. Now she is winging her way home, I’m feeling a bit bereft, but I am so inspired too. A million and one idea’s, are running over themselves in my head, so my pull towards art is stronger, more compelling than ever. You find that when you are in the company of someone who knows you so well (we have been friends since we were at school), that it restores a confidence and belief that propels you into action.
So, with this motivation its all systems go creatively. I hope you enjoy the posts to come, with art and photography, possibly some musings, ramblings or writing too. I am going to get all domestic goddess at some point soon, but at least for now, the mundane chores of life, are going to have to take a lower priority.
Brenda in Paris 1962. Taken from the family album. Originally snapped on a girls weekend away, when she was 22. This is my beautiful Mum.
So my friends. This post is dedicated her. She would probably be very embarrassed to know that I have posted a photo of her for the world to see. I would without doubt, get told off, even at my age. The truth is that without her I would not be doing this at all.
There are so many pearls of wisdom that she shared with us as a family. Like tea really can solve everything, along with as many swear words as is possible to string together, if it seems that everything is going wrong. I cannot remember a time when she wouldn’t have a creative project on the go, especially knitting. So I learnt early on that creativity was something worth nurturing. She would tell me to trust my gut instincts. To go with them, even if it seemed impossible odds are stacked up against me. Always to be true to yourself and how you feel. That dedication with a bit of patience gets great things accomplished. And life. Well it does, like a ball of wool, become unraveled sometimes through no fault of our own. It’s then, that’s it’s alright to start over again.
I grew up with her love of books, films and soul music, which is why this last photo in my blog today, has this title.
‘ A Rose is Still a Rose’ was a song sung by the legendary Aretha Franklin. Mum said it always reminded her of me. It’s lyrics today, still ring true.
She was the wisest, funniest, most independent woman. Who had ‘sod it days’ on a regular basis. We find ourselves using the words ‘doofer’, ‘whatsit’ or ‘dooberry’ when the correct words slip our minds, just like she used to. My daughters and I have our ‘sod it days’ in her honor. As we drink our way through too many cups of tea, putting the world to rights, we think of you with a smile. Brenda Stanley.
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