It's not all Art, Art, Art! Or is it?

 I'm an artist and my days, weeks and months are filled predominantly with art. One third of the time I'm making, one third I'm promoting and one third I'm selling. But that doesn't mean I can't have fun along the way. I try to coordinate my deliveries with meeting up with friends for a walk or lunch or a visit to a museum or, yes you've guessed it, an art gallery or exhibition.

So pleased I got to see the iconic tree at Sycamore Gap before it was savagely cut down this month. Above is my representation created some years ago with graphic pens from Derwent. 

I managed to get to see the Libby Edmondson exhibition at Rheged this month. I was in there over an hour. I was aware of her work particularly the very vibrant Lake District landscapes. But to see all examples of her work there together in that exhibition space was inspiring especially the large canvases, very impressive.

 I'm a joiner so I am a member of a number of art groups. So vital when most of the making part of the job is an isolated affair. Planning projects and exhibitions together and supporting each other's practise is both rewarding and fun. There are disappointments and triumphs involved in the vulnerable arena of art.

I've just finished exhibiting in the EVAN open studio event with Nanette Madan and Rachel Metcalfe. It was a pleasure to show with these two talented artists and we had lots of laughs whilst we were waiting for people to visit our exhibition space at Florence Arts Centre. We each ran two workshops and we are all up for repeating the event next year.

The Factory team are already planning the next event at The Old Cumberland Pencil Factory in style at Aspava. 

Lots going on next month. I'm showing in the Coming Home Exhibition at Florence Arts. I have the feature wall in Lowes Court Gallery in Egremont and I have an Exhibition in Kirkcudbright 1st to 18th November in the Tolbooth. 

I've school and college friends to connect with online. We all have busy lives, but when we do meet up those times are precious. The recent trip to North Yorkshire with my college friends took us to Staithes and I've been working from the photos I took to create a Staithes Collection. 

 Grown up children have their own busy working and social lives but family meals and games nights when we are all together are special.

Creativity, Connection, Curiosity, Communication and Collaboration, a curriculum for life.