www.ardenthare.org.uk

I am now linked to an arts organisation which is appropriately named ‘Ardent Hare’. I hope I can rise to all the title implies in terms of ardour, determination and the essence of what the Hare embodies. To find out more check out www.ardenthare.org.uk/support/patrons. To become a supporter follow the link to my profile.

Having gone in search of Hares last weekend I was then inspired to rework an image which I hope may capture something of what the Hare means to me. I had a single sighting and in my open ended approach came up with this image. Hope the pink works for you!

So who’s my new friend. Let me introduce you to Sandy, the Jack Russell Terrier, our latest addition to the Wolton clan. As you can see we are at the Garlic Farm and befriending Clarissa the orphaned Highland Cattle calf. She was very interested in Sandy who we were keeping at a respectful distance.

I realise there has been a long silence on my blog and it’s not for lack of activity. Sandy has been very much a feature of the past 6 months since we adopted her from the RSPCA and there is much I have wanted to say and hope will say in future entries about her antics and general doggy pursuits.

Have finally broken the long silence on my blog on what has been an inspirational day of sunshine, sand and mud at Grange Chine on the island. Quite alot has happened over the intervening months, not least my decision to leave Goldsmiths! Far from straightforward and not an easy decision but gradually coming to terms with life back on the Isle of Wight and my new found freedom to branch out artistically. Today was a foray onto the beach where I had a maddening time attempting to create work from found objects and mud. I have to say it can all be quite unmanageable and chaotic but did enjoy the freedom and inspiration of the coast. Here are the results entitled ‘Raft’. This was my husband’s initiative as he had been down to the same beach a week ago when conditions were actually quite wild to make these so-called ‘mud paintings’. I nolonger have a studio which inevitably forces the work in a different direction. I’m still very much a painter working from home with works on paper for the moment.

I continue to grapple with the rigours of the course. My art practice continues to take shape in a new environment and the ways that I process the whole experience, both at home and away. There are developments and a venturing into new territory. I’ve decided that art therapy can only really be experienced and explanations are less than adequate because it is only where words run out that pictures begin.

I have to say that the time is fast approaching when I will be leaving the relative sanctuary of the island to head up to the ‘big smoke’ for part of each week.  My MA course at Goldsmiths College in Art Psychotherapy commences in a week’s time and I’m waving goodbye to the relative freedom as an artist of recent years but looking forward nonetheless to the rigours of university life. I will be continuing on with my art practice as part of the programme and it will be interesting to see which direction this takes – a new situation invariably throws up something new and often unexpected. I hope to continue my ramblings from a ‘shared house’ in South-East London (student quarters).

‘Mum’s Folly’ caught my eye on a trip to Seaview, near Ryde today. It gives a convenient run-in to some big changes that will be happening for me as from September. I’m going to be embarking on an MA in Art Psychotherapy at Goldsmiths College in London. This will qualify me to practice as an Art Therapist at the end of three years study. I shall be between two worlds in the sense of moving between the island and London each week. Mum’s Folly, namely myself may prove to be one of my reflections. There will be much to ponder as a lot of the course emphasis is on learning to be OK with yourself in the many challenging situations that may occur. The blog may take a more urban shift but for the moment I am still enjoying sea views!

Here I am, out and about during the Extreme 40s racing which finished yesterday. These mult-hulls have to be one of the highlights of Cowes Week and it is the anticipation and exicitement of the racing that is so difficult to capture. I’m not sure about being the next ‘Kurt Jackson’ who has taken to the water in Greenpeace boats to capture the action (also resident artist at Glastonbury!) It was great fun to share in the occassion of the awards ceremony complete with champagne shower. Olympic champion Shirley Robertson is seen here in the foreground smiling into the camera.