Page 280 – a-n The Artists Information Company

OAK GALL INK I made my first ink today. It works but it is pale. Maybe I should have left the crushed and boiled galls for longer. I will soak them for a day or two and try again. Exciting […]

In this time of crisis, when normal life has been so uprooted, it’s important to be able to adapt to the changing situation. The same is true for us artists as anyone. For example, when the Williamson Art Gallery’s Open […]

Here in the UK, we are enduring the second week of self-isolation (aka lockdown). I struggle with anxiety and depression even in normal life and this pandemic has just made it so much worse. I really miss my freedom of […]

In this time of the coronavirus crisis, we’re being asked to regularly wash our hands to curb infection. If people are anything like me, this will increase our water usage just when we’re meant to be preserving it to save […]

It is entirely impossible for me to ignore the coronavirus crisis this week… As I type, I’m self-isolating, as advised by the UK government, due to having flu symptoms. I don’t know what it was but it passed on Sunday […]

Last week I began to follow the eco trail of my Winsor & Newton watercolours. As I don’t wish to single Winsor & Newton out, this week I’ve decided to follow the eco trail of my Royal & Langnickel brushes […]

Following on from last week, when I started to follow the eco trail of my art materials, this week I’m going to talk about the packaging they arrive in… Recently, I bought a half pan of Winsor & Newton watercolour […]

In last week’s blog, I wrote about becoming more atune to the ecology I’m part of. This inspired me to look closer at the eco trail of my art supplies. My watercolour paints are supplied my Winsor & Newton. Their […]

As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m collecting rainwater in a bucket to use for my painting and, to stop the wind blowing the bucket away, I’ve placed a brick in it. Well, this weekend, I was surprised to find a snail […]

Talking about walking last week reminded me that being environmentally friendly often saves me money. So why pay for a bus ticket when I can walk? Or pay for tap water when I can collect rainwater? Or buy paint when […]

Last week, I came to the conclusion that no matter what I do, I’ll end up hurting someone. This left me feeling stuck; I felt I had to do something but I also felt I could do nothing that helped. […]

It struck me last week that, whatever way I look at it, I will derive pleasure from hurting others. On the one hand, as I have already acknowledged, my art practice – which I rely on for good mental health […]

Following on from last week when I was beginning to appreciate how precious rainwater is, it dawned on me that all my materials are precious – I can’t just carry on consuming as though it has no consequences. Creating art […]

As someone who struggles with anxiety, and the mood dips that go with, the climate crisis affects my mental health – and, therefore, my wellbeing – greatly. I have some really dark thoughts that leave me feeling powerless. However, in […]

finally i get time to sit and reflect on the residency so far.  i say finally – there’s quite a vibe around the building, those here can be quite fiery so the days pass with their own uniqueness. as well […]

so here we all are in april 2020 – global pandemic with national lockdown… there’s no easy way to begin this post than to get it right out there – my thoughts are with all those who are affected adversely […]

I find I am revisiting the drawings, writing and words spoken in the making of Cause and Effect last year, and finding them prophetic here and there. Can hindsight be prophetic? I can tangle myself in words if I’m not […]

Yesterday I picked some elegant yellow tulips from the plot, at home I put them in a green vase. Today they are open showing their faces, so different. Wide and expansive, black centres pointing like small explosions. Yellow seems a […]