When I opened my Substack account, I hoped I would write regularly, even though I was pretty sure I wouldn’t, because I know me. I have discovered yet again that we cannot do all the things we want to do (but please scroll down for details of a writing workshop this week!)
I used to go out walking almost every day, but now I spend at least two afternoons a week at a local farm where I now have a studio space.* I miss my walks but I love spending time at the studio. I no longer have a ‘day job’ alongside the ‘stipend’ that renting my flat provides. I miss spending money, but I love spending time at the studio. I am tempted, always, to enrol in classes and courses in paint and print because I love to learn, but what I need to learn is to trust that I know enough to begin. So I drive the pretty way to the farm and spend up to two hours there about twice a week. It isn’t much time on the outside but like in time-travel, time passes differently there and I get more done than I ever would at home.
I have just had a quick look through the paintings I made last year and I am pleased to see that I have improved. My work is more confident and I have learned new ways and new processes. I now know that I need to make a sketch first to get hold of the shape I want to make (the shapes are usually from landscapes or trees or other objects), before I can try it out in paint (dry on wet) and then if I still like it, make a bigger painting.
This one is made using watercolour and water soluble pastel on paper. There aren’t any mountains in Milton Keynes, except those of aspiration, possibility, challenge and community. I started with a sketch of the Milton Keynes skyline from the top of a hill in our village. Then I made a negative space painting of part of the MK skyline (this is the top of the Xcape building. Colour and shape express what is unseen: energy, confidence, and narratives. I’m so enjoying playing with colour and shape. The paintings may not mean much to many, but they do to me. I am painting what I love, which is space, promise, interest, awe…
I hoped I would write more, but I haven’t. I’ve painted. It’s not that I haven’t got anything to say, either, *I have*! But perhaps more writing will come later. We cannot do all the things we want to do.
May you feel a smidge of awe this week.
Love Deb x
*I’ve been to the farm less recently and had to reschedule my workshop (below) because of a very uninteresting sinus infection. Ugh - bodies are great but also annoying.
Here is a list of things coming up:
This Week - Relaxed Writing workshop at The Hapori 21st March. Come along if you can!
My story A Fairytale Ending has been selected for MK Calling in the summer. Come and see it!
Quiet Garden Hour is developing - watch this space.
Here is a list of what I have been reading/listening to:
At home
The Ruso novels, Ruth Downie
Impossible Creatures, Katherine Rundell
Sacred Belonging, Kat Armas
Barchester Towers, Anthony Trollope (an old favourite).
The Bible Project podcast
In the studio
Awe, Dacher Keltner
The Creative Act, Rick Rubin
OnBeing, Krista Tippett
The Next Right Thing Podcast, Emily P Freeman
Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard
And here is a list of the things I would like to write more about but haven’t:
Applying for UK residencies
Dog walking - I have a new dog friend, Rufus.
Hosting (little P writing, reading, performing, leaving notes and gifts.)
Long tailed tits
Training at MK Gallery
Karaoke
Activism
I’m learning from my orchid, a mint cutting and a certain sweet smell by the school hedge