Edge of Autumn
Nothing specific happens but it suddenly doesn't feel like summer anymore; an awareness of the tiny changes in the smell of the air or the particular shades of green seems to awaken some ancient instinct to begin baking cakes with cinnamon, checking the store cupboards and worrying about logs (* I started writing this post about 2 weeks ago now so the logs have been delivered and stacked; one thing less to worry about). You imagine August to be all sunny corn fields, blue skies and ice creams on the beach but it seems more often to be jungly shades of Hookers Green as the shoulder high bracken completes its takeover of the fells and the trees balance darkly on the edge of Autumn. It feels like the moment when you just can't wait to get the decorations down and clear up after Christmas- anticipating the new season and the fresh inspiration it might bring. Now, a couple of weeks since I initially started this post, you can definitely see the first russet tones creeping over the green brackeny slopes ... like the roots starting to show through on dyed hair ( I pinched that line from Rupert who has been fretting about the weather after a summer spent getting wet and drying out soggy tents with bunches of NCS kids). The cusp of a changing season is such a special time and as I write I'm hoping for a bright crisp Autumn full of rich colour and clear skies, an excuse to bake comfort food and the smell of woodsmoke and fallen leaves.
I have no idea why it's taken me so long to complete this post; I can only put it down to a massive bout of inertia ( and some truly evil migraines) that arrived as soon as I got back from Skipton Art in the Pen... suddenly there was a gap in deadlines and I had a bit of a dip in confidence and motivation- despite both shows combined being a big success. I had some really interesting conversations with people visiting my pen, including several people who immediately "got" the references and shared the same passion for bears, and the stories associated with them, The Owl Service by Alan Garner and even one person who noted a Japanese influence (which I initially denied before remembering my obsession with Haruki Murakami novels). It was also really wonderful to spend time with other artists and makers, particularly Penny Hunt (whose beautiful Yorkshire Dales house I stayed at), Debbie Yare and Hester Cox - working in isolation, it is always such a relief to realise that we all share many of the same doubts, fears and joys that come with this job ( and life in general). I had a LOT of people asking me HOW I made my work (or explaining to each other without asking) and it's taken me these past few weeks to organise how I feel about that ... being naturally super friendly, approachable ( I hope you'll agree) and (a little too) open, it seemed rude not to share- and I did, in detail- but the more I was asked the more I wanted to say... but it's just a technique, don't you like what I did with it? Did you notice the drawing and careful composition? You wouldn't ask a painter how they made a painting or walk in to a cafe and ask for the recipe to their most popular dish without even ordering a coffee Sometimes I spent ages explaining after which the visitor declared they would order the chemicals online and try it themselves before walking off without even buying a card (of this more later). I LOVE sharing what I do, including how and why, but from now on I will be trying to be a little more businesslike and promoting workshops... if you want to learn about cyanotype, get in touch ( there will be cake).
I was really excited, on my return, to find an e-mail inviting me to be interviewed for the Just A Card blog. You might have noticed me going on about the campaign at various events, and on here, ever since I first heard about it, in 2014. It aims to raise awareness of the difference that we can all make by choosing to support independent shops, artists and makers by making even small purchases, such as greetings cards, which help keep people in business. Certainly most of my income over the weekend at Skipton was earned by selling cards...sometimes just one , but each one carefully chosen by the customer and each sale so very important to me. The combined card sales meant I could come home knowing I had made enough profit and would be able to continue doing what I love.
You can read my interview on the Just a Card blog on September 1st. Let me know what you think.
Hmmm, I'm sitting here trying to choose pictures to illustrate this post and getting cross because my silly iPhone photo-stream won't synch with my laptop. This means I can't share the picture of a fairytale swim I had this week. It also shows how annoying technology can be...except that I'm currently in love with my new Wacom pen and tablet which has reawakened my love of sketching and doodling and just playing with colours and lines and the stories in my head. As someone who loves simple, real things, bakes their own bread and likes to make jam, it feels a little wrong to be spending so much time with a "pretend" sketchbook when I could be using real paints and any of the gorgeous materials I have stockpiled since childhood. Is it cheating? Or is it playing and enjoying mark making ( which is the first thing they make you do at art school) ? Either way I'm having fun and it makes things much easier than my ham fisted drawing with a normal mouse or trackpad.
Now I'm being told my battery is low, it's 3 o'clock and I promised myself I'd walk down the lane to see if there were any blackberries. As usual I want to write more and I've left it too long between posts so I think I'm going to leave this one here and try to be more disciplined about writing in future. I need to tell you about that swim and the cold water hives episode and the absolute joy of it all.
If you subscribe to my website newsletter you will have got a message about this month's shop discount code and the fact that I'm donating a percentage of all web sales this month to Shelterbox who provide practical help in disaster zones and areas of conflict. Home and "shelter" are subjects close to my heart so please take a look at what they do.Until next time x
Reading : "The Remains of the Day" Kazuo Ishiguro Listening to: My treat this moth has been to subscribe to Audible so I'm currently 7 hours in to the 19 of Kafka on the Shore byHaruki Murakami.I listen to it in the bath while practicing my underwater swimming technique!