‘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.

My exhibition continues in the Rope Store at Quay Arts and today I witnessed a sudden influx of visitors, much to my delight. Firstly, youngsters with behavioural and medical problems were having a session with one of the gallery educators. They were then joined by a group of adults with learning difficulties who were guiding one another around the gallery. I looked on in wonder and await further feedback from those who were there. It would be gratifying to find that some profound learning was taking place for these most marginalised of groups. Bar the Private View, for which quite a lot of planning took place and was well attended, this has to be the next best thing – a public viewing en masse!

Yes, my exhibition at Quay Arts has finally come around, or at least from saturday when it officially opens. I have been installing the work this week, a culmination of several years activity in the studio. It is hugely gratifying to see paintings go up in the gallery space of the Rope Store. I was last there five whole years ago and it all seems like a long time in the making. A few brutal decisions had to be made in the selection of the work, although those decisions were largely governed by the space together with quite alot of forethought and preparation. I’m hoping for some positive feedback at the Drinks Reception next thursday. The dates are as follows:

Sat 24 April – Sat 5 June with Drinks Reception Thur 29 April 6-8pm

Highland fling

Any regular readers to my blog will get the gist of the places I regularly visit. From the Garlic Farm it is possible to follow alternative trails and the one I went on yesterday led me up to the Highland Cattle, seemingly contended to graze on some winter hay. I was taken with the regular blobs of wool on this scratching post. The feel of the wool was a reminder of the felting I did at the end of last year. Not being ideally suited to textiles I haven’t ventured any further in these pursuits but was quite happy to admire wool on barbed wire for its aesthetic quality!

Yesterday’s visit to Quarr Abbey was rewarded by a couple of prime photo opportunities. Firstly, there is the demonstrative and persistent cat which causes great concern as it follows visitors along the path. It turns out not to be missing (as indicated by helpful poster). The other great feature at the nearby cafe has to be the birdlife, including a limping Pheasant and the cheeky Robins coming as close as they dare. I was able to do a few quick sketches of the Robin and am very much centering on bird images at the moment back at the studio. It seems to be a time for consolidating on past work in the run-up to my exhibition at Quay Arts at the end of April.

I have to say that today did seem like the first day of Spring and beckoned me out to the wilds of the Medina Estuary for a spot of birdwatching. To my delight there were Brent Geese congregating at the water’s edge and although a regular feature over the winter, they looked most striking today. The highlight of the walk was a seemingly insignificant wading bird which I thought was a bit out of the ordinary and my instinct was telling me it might worth further enquiry. Fortunately, hubby was equipped with his camera and we managed to get a snap for verification. I’m awaiting expert opinion, but it looks to be a Marsh Sandpiper, which is a Eurasian migrant putting in an appearance about a month earlier than expected. I am in a state of anticipation as I await confirmation. The footpath was breached in several places and finding the path not always easy, as seen here in an attempt to get to the footbridge.

Art Book: Portraits of the mind

About this time last year I was producing ‘Artist’s books’ as one of my creative outlets and feature one here, continuing with the theme portraiture, both of myself and others. The image on the right is of me in the characteristic head gear. Again, it was a cold time of year and I was permanently attached to my hat or so it seemed! The middle image is of a client I was working with in the community. At that time I was also watching too much X-Factor and drew a spontaneous image of Cheryl Cole (see left hand edge). It’s a case of drawing on the many and varied influences that impinge on everyday life, which then find their way into my work – not rocket science, more like learning to drive a car. Confused? Feel free to leave a comment.