2023 Orkney to NSW and back.........................
Time goes quickly at a slow pace here in Orkney. October already!
My exhibition is on at the Badly Drawn Cat Gallery.
A lot has happened this year so far, a Gesso workshop in February at Badly Drawn Cat Gallery, A Gesso Workshop at Mackintosh at the Willow in Glasgow in May, producing artworks which sell at the gallery and helping out in their Vegan Cafe on busy days. I love my Orkney life.
Then a couple of months in Australia. My dad sadly passed away at the beginning of July and a long overdue visit to my Son, Daughter-in-law and three grandchildren became real. I had to leave David and Star at home, thank goodness for Whatsapp!
We are in a beautiful spot, Coalpoint on Lake Macquarie, NSW. I have been doodling and updating a painting I did for them back in 2013. Also gathering bark to dry out and try and use as a painting surface. Lots of insiriation here!
Autumn, Winter & Woosh to the end of the year!
It’s always a time of reflection at this time of year and it really has been an amazing journey. Literally, spiritually and artistically. I started the year with Covid which went into a fibro flare up, not the best start so a change had to be made. We came to Orkney, a brave 'Hail Mary' decision for both David and I but it has been so worth it. 
Star
Our Border Collie born 11/8/22, We went to collect her from Scrabster on 7/11/22. She was as good as gold on the ferry back to Stromness and has made us smile every day since! She has developed wonky ears which are adorable and the tongue out pose is my favourite!
I spent October getting ready for my Exhibition at Badly Drawn Cat Gallery, Kirkwall which launched on the 17th November which was just 3 days after we welcomed our 3rd grandchild into the world in Australia. Jamie, a wee brother for Cameron and Alexandra. Hopefully we’ll get to see them soon.
My Exhibition ‘From the Glasgow Style to the Orkney Isle’ at Badly Drawn Cat Gallery. Launched with a talk on the 17th November and a ‘Demo Day’ on the 22nd December.
I was really happy with the turnout for my talk and had lovely chats with the everyone there. The exhibition has been a great success with lots of interest in Gesso and my process. It was lovely to meet the people who bought ‘Layers of Orkney’ and a special experience and adventure to deliver ‘Serene Screen/Midnight Swallow to a delightful artistic couple in Sanday who bought it. It means so much to know that this piece is going to be appreciated and to get to see what exquisite company it is going to be in. Thank you Tim and Howard.
Some exciting events to come next year, 2023 but for now HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Summer, Skara Brae, Studio & Sea Swimming
I started working as a Steward 2 days a week at Skara Brae in mid June. Working between the Admissions desk, the Shop and the Site. It was a fabulous summer job giving me lots of inspiration for new artworks whilst learning more about Neolithic Orkney.
However towards the end of Summer the weather turned and not all days were sunny blue skies!
Meanwhile while I was not working or sorting out the garden or having to rest because of migraine or fibro, I was working in the studio.....
These works are on sale at Badly Drawn Cat Gallery, Kirkwall
‘Saoirse The Mermaid Bowl’
I had been working on this air dried clay bowl for some weeks. I wanted to capture the beautiful aqua colours of the sea here in Orkney. Happily I have been in the sea at least once a week during this summer and even got pretty close to a seal on one visit. Everything I had been told about open water swimming is true, it is so invigorating and I get pain relief whilst in the water - bonus! However, the final touches to the bowl included and unexpected twist. Filming of the book 'The Outrun' is took place in Orkney and the house next door to us was being used in the film. So we had a film crew, equipment etc. around for a few days and on the day I was in the studio finishing the bowl, the 'hero character' (as she was called in our info letter) turned up to film, it was Saoirse Ronan! Oh to be so close to the presence of greatness (I saw the back of her head and heard her speak) I therefore could have no other name for this piece of work
Inganess beach, The Juanita, swimming with friends (I’m in the middle)
We (David labouring!) also did lots of work in the garden which was just a joy
I dabbled in stone painting and put them on our wall for a giveaway, they went pretty fast!
With the change of seasons and Autumn arriving we are about to experience a change in our lives with the arrival of a PUPPY! Perfect timing (well planned) as I will have 'training time' in between getting ready for my Exhibition in November at the Gallery as well as Workshops in November and December - more details to follow................Holidays and Histories
May brought the month of my birthday and our long-awaited Greek holiday. Kos had been booked for over 18 months on a hope and a prayer that the Covid monster wouldn’t cancel it. We were lucky on that count and on the cancelled flights which were happening all around us. Our flights were booked from Glasgow as we were living in Helensburgh at that time but starting our journey from Orkney needed a bit more planning. As it turned out we found it a really relaxing way to start our holiday. An overnight ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen with a cabin, a train from Aberdeen to Glasgow, a lovely lunch for my birthday and an overnight at Glasgow Airport before setting off really mirrored the slower pace of ‘island life’. 
Then home to see the garden had bloomed in our two weeks away.........
A couple of days rest then it was my induction day at Skara Brae starting my part-time summer job as a Steward with Historic Environmental Scotland. I will be working 2 days a week with the chance to fill in more shifts as we go. My 30minute journey to work takes me past The Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, it makes me smile every time 😊
Spring is here!
We’ve had some lovely sunny days which means figuring out what to do about the garden. With not having lived with a garden for about 8 years we have no equipment, so that was the first hurdle. The old lawnmower in the garage didn’t work, so another trip to the dump was needed. I bought some hand tools and gloves and after thinking about a lawnmower and doing some research we’ve decided to think outside the box and encourage a ‘Wild Meadow Garden’ for the bees and pollinators - dandelions are our friends!
Bee Meadow
I’ve also been working in my studio…………………………
Studio April 2022
Getting Settled In
We checked out of the Stromness Hotel and finally moved every last piece of our 'stuff' into the cottage. Boxes everywhere for a few days..................
Soon had the books (most important!) organised and looking more like ‘home’.
Then all the necessary boring bits like registering with a Doctor (who is lovely and a wild swimmer!), getting the Sky TV set up and finding out when the bin days are. Also found out that Tesco/Lidl/Co-op are a 4 minute drive from the house as is David’s work and the Doctor Surgery is 2 minutes down the hill based in the Balfour Hospital. Talking of hills, we woke up to snow today! :-)
Scribbling, dabbing, rolling and chatting…………….
Adventures in Art
I took part in a Mixed Media workshop at No.25 in Kirwall
Standing Stone
Tree Texture
Barbara Hepworth at The Pier Arts Centre, Stromness
Edmund de Waal - also author of The Hare with the Amber Eyes
Our new HOME!
We signed the lease today and cannot wait to move in!
Our new HOME
The ‘Before’ of the STUDIO/WORKSHOP
Inside
Somewhere to have our firepit - at last!
Small but ideal!
The Journey Begins
‘driving through the dawn was magical’