From one distraction to another...

Problem with having wide ranging interests is the potential for the Butterfly Effect. (One small innocuous line of print, or words from a song can set the tone for the rest of my day & usually have large, unimagined consequences. Most of which leads me away from sitting at my desk.)

This has me trying to pour 1000's of grains of knowledge in my head. Hence the distractions...

Here is a perfect example; after a tirade (this is not uncommon in my head) about sport vs art funding. I find myself questioning the drive that our society has for things only have value if they are of 'use'.
Art funding is a huge victim of this thinking, even art for the public spaces is woefully under funded or even supported in a non-fiscal sense. Councils & government get skittish incase they have to cough up time/cash/concern that the art might need cleaning (the graffiti artist's need add their own take) or that it might need justification, surely money is needed elsewhere e.g to line the pockets of 'VIP' Council chums.
Sadly, business funding public art seems to taint it...a cynicism of the British character. And of course, the coy, eyes staring at the floor, feet shuffling squeamishness we have about money...especially in relation to Art.

So all this leads me in a roundabout way to this fantastic podcast Philosophy Bites. The Anton De Botton episode is particularly interesting in relation to the above gibber. Not only is art hidebound and potentially damaged by restrictive thinking, but philosophy (of all things) is held in check, too.
Of course that could lead us on to censorship....but let's not...yet!

But whilst listening to the podcast, I have started a series of butterfly prints....umm must get a scanner!

My absence can be explained....

Edinburgh Festival is in full swing, which means I have been slack in blogging & art...still view it as inspiriation for my Edinburgh series that I'm planning.

Meme...

Found on numerous blogs, seemed interesting
1. My uncle once: recognised & named a flower
2. Never in my life: have I nor will I bungee jump
3. When I was five: I hid in the sweet peas
4. High school was: rarely attended
5. I will never forget: 1st trip to the V&A
6. Once I met: Michael Palin...he bumped into me in Covent Garden, very nice he was, too.
7. There’s this girl I know: who's one of the few I have as a friend.
8. Once, at a bar: I didn't drink...
9. By noon, I’m usually: happy or frustrated, commonly both.
10. Last night: I printed, played WOW & read the Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennet.
11. If only I had: An emerald
12. Next time I go to church: I will admire the glass & say hi to the ghosts.
13. What worries me most: mediocrity
14. When I turn my head left I see: unfinished crochet project & baby eating wool
15. When I turn my head right I see: Candles, books & chilli plant that needs watering
16. You know I’m lying when: I'm being understated
17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: nothing
18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: Iago:"How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft; And wit depends on dilatory time."
19. By this time next year: I will have been to Venice....hopefully!
20. A better name for me would be: Keyser Soze
21. I have a hard time understanding: Simplicity
22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: maybe work to my true potential
23. You know I like you if: I stay & give you art/books
24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: the award givers
25. Take my advice, never: go to a Scottish dentist
26. My ideal breakfast is: Coffee & croissants on balcony over looking cypress trees, flowers & the sea sparkling in the distance.
27. A song I love but do not have is: ...umm
28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: keep going
29. Why won’t people: take responsibility
30. If you spend a night at my house: you'll eat, drink & be merry & probably end up with a few books to read..
31. I’d stop my wedding for: a drink or any distraction
32. The world could do without: everything & nothing
33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: watch soap opera's
34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: Mum, P & A
35. Paper clips are more useful than: dirty nappies
36. If I do anything well it’s: make a mean Tom Collins
37. And by the way: I'm off for a shower....

Tables...

I am currently searching for a table, having moved into the house only a month ago I am still finding all the things I need. I want something fairly sturdy to bolt Inky onto and a table that doesn't mind being ink-ed & scattered with lino shavings and other debris.

I am using the kitchen table...which can make dinner interesting, yum lino pasta! I have the top hall set aside for a mini studio which has the sky light, that floods it with the softest sand stone hued light. I love the golden colours of Edinburgh, even the rainy days are tinged with sunshine. Or perhaps that's just because I'm feeling chipper at the moment!

I am sitting (or more correctly kneeling) at the computer, it is currently set up on our huge coffee table. So, yes, another table needed. Beside me is the most luscious bunch of flowers, picked from a friend's garden. The scents of old fashioned roses, lemon balm & honeysuckle are pervading the house. I feel there will be a print from this...

My mind is over flowing with ideas and I am itching to try so many styles and techniques, it's knowing where to start! I run the risk of becoming a swirling dervish.

Right with that...to work!

Experiments....

Here are some of the trial works that I have started with.

Welcome

This is a witter & a stutter about my life as an artist…amongst other things.

Primarily a painting type I have been away from it all for a few years: travel, child rearing and wifely duties have taken precedence. But I’m back!

I have just bought a relief printing press and the associated paraphernalia. I plan to make linocuts and run some kind of profitable business based on this.

This blog is the ups and downs of this craziness.