Work in progress

As a contemporary artist - with a strong, personal style, life can be difficult.  I do seem to have my own voice - which is an enormous blessing, but can be troublesome too.

It can be awkward finding one’s own place - if you know what I mean, and although I am fortunate enough to sell regularly, to be hanging in the same room as very traditional pieces can be a confronting and unsettling experience.  Especially when what is ‘art’ can be so subjective.

That’s why I LOVE the Canterbury Art show.  It is so heartwarming to walk into that exhibition and see such an array of beautifully executed works, bright colours, and active minds on display.  This year is my second at this show, and I fell even more in love with it.  It’s such an honour to hang there.

And I sold two big works, which is heartwarming in itself - and not for financial reasons…

You can’t make people buy art.  They don’t need it to survive, it is not a certain investment, and it is completely subjective, yet there is something wonderful that happens, when a collector sees a piece that sings to them, and they just want to take it home, and look at it, and let it speak and share its energy.  To know as an artist - that you have affected people in this way is the most marvellous confirmation, and a personal gift (even though one often doesn’t know where they end up) that grows and keeps one warm.

Yesterday I started a new painting, with the next show in mind.  Another bright whimsical piece of two kids playing house.  It was lovely to get my hands dirty and the first stages - where big sweeps of colour go down are always tremendous fun, and working big is the best thing ever.

And today I’m going to visit Sidney Nolan (my hero) here.

Loving it.