“Here Comes the Rain Again…”

I’m building an ark out of blankets and thread and old tequila bottles; the rain has flooded the road and the water in the taps looks like Taylor’s “Golden Best”. What happened to the “Barbecue Summer” we were meant to be getting?

I haven’t been writing much here lately, but I have been busy, still working on my cathartic pieces,in between some dress designs for New Leaf. I realize these little embroideries are probably meaningless to most people but I’m enjoying adding to them slowly…most recently some patches printed on sand-washed silk which feels lovely and printed really well through the inkjet.perhaps they are a bit too personal though and I would not be able to part with them if I needed to? Hmm, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

New Designers was last week and it was great to hear that Holly Flanagan,from CCAD,was picked for Texprint and her work featured in their photo shoot . I’m also glad that I picked out her work as being one of the best in the degree show, so maybe my sense of fashion and design isn’t as rubbish as I was beginning to think!

Yesterday, before the rain, I went to Helmsley Open Air Pool and swam up and down until I was worn out. watching the swallows swooping down to drink from the pool and just about managing to keep pace with a lady wearing big glasses and a huge, battered straw hat.Its lovely swimming on your back looking at the clouds and I kind of hoped it would pour down just to see what it felt like.

(Reading : “So Many Ways To Begin” Jon Mcgregor, “The Wind- Up Bird Chronicle” Haruki Murakami Listening to: “To Heaven By Water” on Radio 4, “Owner of a Lonely Heart” …still !, the rain)

Summer Games

It must be a sign! The rainbow yesterday landed exactly on the name of my house, now…, where’s that crock of gold?!

Yesterday was Osmotherley’s annual decent into madness, “Summer Games”. Starting as a fun day out for all the family, it soon degenerates via the yard of ale, crash the crocks and welly tossing;although this year the inter-pub tug of war was banned due to health and safety fears (hmmm, the yard of ale is “safe” then?!) Anyway, I’m feeling a little fragile today (no I didn’t do the yard!) but managing to do a bit more to these small pieces which I’m planning to frame as a series of about 6.

It was so encouraging to have my work admired by so many people last week and  I’m beginning to realize that the pieces that get the most comments are those that have got “feeling” behind them.Out of adversity and all that…my bears are part of an ongoing story, made out of love rather than the intention of making money, so ultimately more satisfying I think…

The exhibition in York turned out to be really useful, with quite a few invitations to run workshops and give talks.So, even though I’ve been feeling a bit sad and nostalgic about the excitement and promise of this time last year, I guess so long as you keep trying the handles, new doors will always open.

Now tonight I must have an early night with a lovely Lush”Karma” bath and a new book to start.

(Listening to: “Owner of a Lonely Heart” dance version. Reading: “Amsterdam” Ian McEwan. )

Lionheart

Its been a beautiful day here on Witchmountain, cloudless, shimmery blue and even the birds seem lazy. I’ve been sitting in the garden adding a bit more to this t-shirt I’m making for myself and also thinking about the new “Fall 09″ designs I need to get done by the beginning of August.I really need to get on top of this freelance work for New Leaf because although I’m selling the odd design it’s nowhere near enough to justify the time and effort and I just don’t seem to be able to get the hang of what I need to do to be commercial and mainstream…

Having said that I had some very good luck this week when I jokingly asked my boss if he’d like to see the framed work I had ( still in the boot of my car after York) and he ended up wanting 3 of the 4 I showed him. So, all being well, they will be hanging in one of the three bed and breakfast rooms and possibly featured on the Golden Lion’s website when it gets updated…

I find it very uncomfortable discussing prices when it comes to my work – always just amazed that someone likes it ! – but I forced myself to stick to the price I’d decided on when I got them framed. Putting a value on something handmade ,or a piece of artwork is very subjective and I definitely need to cultivate self confidence and the ability to ’sell myself”!

Anyway, its time to do something so goodbye for now.