Comments flowing!!!

Hello - from a weary performer!!  Just a little too long for me (2hours).  Still, I can`t say I didnt enjoy it, because it gave me so much insight into the way Religion and it`s appendices are viewed -or not - nowadays. The 2 hrs went so quickly - we had many viewers, and it was very exciting for us all.  There is a rota this week so all the artists wont be in together now until we have to dismantle on Friday p.m.  If you can my friends - do come and see the work, and grab a cuppa and cake.  The venue is a wonderful old victorian property in immaculate condition:  15 Dudley Street, Grimsby.

The pic on the left includes an illuminated sculpture by Barrie Hughes, from his current work, and also depicts part of my performance work.

POIGNANT or what?








The picture below is my paying homage to the `door` with a symbolic gesture.  Also showing some art-work in the background by Monica Leeman.

On the way home from the very exciting opening night we called at Louth to see the huge crochetdermy Lions in the square, suitably installed in glass containers, by Shauna Richardson.   It is difficult to describe the size of these lions - awesome!

I am so glad I got to see them - caught a small glance of her work in Berlin  - The golden Teddy.  This will probably be a travelling display - take a look at her web page to check.

That is about all the news for now  - ciao e` questo clima estivo - non badarla!

`Invisible killer`

Hello -I know it sounds (why sounds)  dramatic, and you may think I`m slightly mad but I maintain this disability is `killing`.  Okay!  Just imagine you walk into a room full of `friends, relatives, acquaintances, colleagues etc, and on a good day it is okay - in fact you can probably get the gist of ongoing events that have been discussed by clarifying with a Buddie later on, and that means making sure you have got all the info correct!  You gather in small groups perhaps and begin to converse - good if you can see the lips.  Over the years I have gradually, subconsciously picked up the ability to `read` lips.  Straight on helps (sideways a little more difficult, depending on the level of hearing at that moment.  Large rooms - difficult, conversations from a distance - difficult, conversations turned away - difficult.   I don`t mean to make anyone feel that I`m asking for guilty apologies -  NO NO NO - its just that this week has been particularly awful.  The last month it has been approaching slowly - then Wham - full-blown distortion of life!  I hope it will be fixed on the 18th June, what I will do if it isn`t, madness springs to mind.   I have joked in the past that sometimes it is useful to turn off my aid when noise crescendos and bounces - can I now say to the Gods of fate -  I didn't mean it.
Briefly, my ear (only one good one ) is blocked, not by neglect, but by a prescription medication prescribed on the 7th which meant I could not have my re-test obviously, but was sent to have my ear flushed by the syringing method - result: bruised ear.  Nursing it now to hopefully try again on Monday!!! I wonder - are there any advances in this field? We can get solvents for all sorts of things can we not?

I leave that epiphyanistic dialogue now to normal things!

I have retrieved my work from college - now it is dispersed between home and Dudley Street.  My door and my feet - sculpted by hand in clay but not fired - are ready for display in the groups exhibition, commencing on the 25th June until 29th June. we open on the Monday evening with refreshments etc.

This a detail shot of another piece that will hopefully find a place there.  It relates to the `Tree of Life`.  I have re-worked it slightly from the original. 


Some other things completed - to start the ball rolling with our `Degree show Fund` are the ear-rings. So far I have made twenty five pairs. Fiddley job though.  There will have to be a consensus on the selling charge with my colleagues.

I have tried to make these as diverse as possible - in fact no two pairs are the same!



Other activities from a personal view point is limited, but I intend to get going with something practical soon - just wish I could get rid of this HISSING noise, which has intensified with the loss of hearing.

I bought a lovely Sketch-book from in house (college shop) - it has a snake skin design, and anyone that knows me well knows how much I admire the design and texture of natural animal skin.   I have been reading lots and lots - mostly to do with memories and its different types, interspersed with re-reading on favourite artists. 

The `tops` bag for Paul is gradually getting some depth to it - I hope he`s not expecting too much.

Hope to see everyone at our exhibition - IF - thats IF - I`m feeling better There may be a performance in the offing.

Ciao!

The `Waiting` Weather or not?

Salve mi Amici,  What a difference the sun can make to the day. We do need the rain of course, so I`m trying not to complain.  Still wet days are baking days - chocolate of course.

I have been slightly hampered with aches and pains this week so have not been very active in the garden, however I made some impression and did plant up some ` pretties`in hope.  As far as art is concerned, it is difficult to stop - the mind is a wayward component - I love it!

We went to catch up with number one son yesterday and also to fit in a couple of galleries - in Manchester.
The `Cornerhouse` an exhibition of short films, european I think - interesting nevertheless.  Then Manchester Gallery, Mosley Street, two exhibs going on there atm, one was an African display and that was incredible, plus very diverse in content.  Photography, film, sculpture and installation work, some with recycled materials.  Also particularly interesting for me, an interactive piece before entry.  Paul King was in mind when I saw the first huge piece - about 25 feet long and nearly as deep - made from re-cycled bottle tops. I wonder what he will do with the tops he receives from his savers of tops?   The taking of photos was prohibited so can`t show you what I`m talking about - but to say I could have walked round again and again and will probably go again since its on until September must give you some idea of the impact it had on me.

The Photography exhibition was beautiful also - it included a Sara Lucas and a Cornelia Parker!

Some try-out sculpture last week was quite successful, for me and I must admit it is infectious plus I think it is possible to do loads of work with it - what do you think????

This was my first try and so a bit crude.  This is only amusement really, still good though.

Also, can I share my pleasure of getting in  touch with my cousin Jean, and her family. She has retired quite near to us - York.  The following picture is of my Paternal Grandfather - I have never seen this before, why I cannot say, but isn`t he handsome, a great photo`.  Imagine please - getting to the age of 64 and then to see a picture of a worthy relative (of which I had no idea existed) - long story - AMAZING HIGH.

Finally, I would like to thank my son and his partner for a great gallery trawl, after a scrumptious lunch at Jamie Olivers, and shopping for nibbles at Carluccio`s. Really Special treat.  Came home late listening to Diane `somethingorother` on the radio and singing along to sixties music - Great day altold, and not much traffic to boot. 

CIAO!