this is how it feels...

I'm almost embarrassed to admit the levels of excitement I'm experiencing. I've just received a copy of my calendar book for 2011. Seeing my work in print seems like yet another journey to fantasy land. With no small amount of work contributed by my husband, Kim (all of it, really... well... at least I chose the images), we have put together a handy 7 inch square Calendar Book with 1 page per month - each accompanied by photographs of my artwork (photos also taken by that wonderful photographer, Kim Ayres - nothing like a bit of nepotism). You can preview the calendar book by clicking on the widget below. And if you click on the small square with the arrows in it on the bottom right corner, you even get a full screen view. If you are interested in buying one (or many) of these ideal seasonal gifts, then click on this link: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1730219

I have a newsletter which goes out monthly - or at least that is the intention - and for each one I usually put a video together connected with that month's theme. This month's is about the new studio and as it ties in with  my last blog post ( Making a Studio ), I thought I'd post it here too.

For me, the words "artist's studio", are filled with all the glamour and romance which I wouldn't readily attach to myself. And yet, in this space I seem to be inhabiting a fairytale existence which embraces me every time I cross over the threshold. I do not want this fantasy to dissipate, so I take time to absorb the magic and allow myself to feel like the kind of artist who would naturally reside here. As well as all the creative accoutrements you would expect to find in such a place, there are several other necessary additions which I find facilitate the artistic muse: Radio- always tuned for BBC Radio 4 CD player- assorted music:  Opera for drama and tears                                            Folk for the soul and for sighs   ...