24 Comments

How I recognise those "shoulds"! It sounds as though it is really helping and that exciting times lie ahead. I am really pleased for you. I loved Kathleen Jamie and have just bought "Cairn", her latest one, having loved the others.

Expand full comment

Am so hoping for those exciting times ! And ‘Cairns’ is on my shopping list !!

Expand full comment

Transition is so tricky to deal with (as I am finding…)but we will come through the other side. I sense that you are being nudged very adeptly in the right direction.

Expand full comment

Here's to us both finding our 'direction'!!

Expand full comment

Hi Carolyn! It is so necessary and important to stick to who we are! And whatever stories we tell ourselves we always go back to who we’re are! You new concertina sketchbook are just wonderful. Like also you some news with a little video! xx

Expand full comment

Thanks Catherine, I'm glad you liked it! Yes, who we are, always finds a way to emerge doesn't it!!

Expand full comment

Definitely!

Expand full comment

Great post Carolyn and thanks for reminding me about Kathleen Jamie - I loved ‘Sightlines’, must get ‘Surfacing’ 🩵

Expand full comment

Thank you for your recommendation of a new author to read. I’ve just ordered a second-hand copy of ‘Findings’ to arrive next week. Like art materials, you can never have too many 😀

Expand full comment

Quite agree Joy - one can never have too many books or too many art materials!! Enjoy!!

Expand full comment

Thank you twice!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed ‘Findings’. Will be ordering another one soon. I also looked up Newlyn School of Art and have now enrolled on their year-long landscape course as I’d done Louise Fletcher’s FYJ twice and am ready for something new!

Expand full comment

Fantastic !! Look forward to hearing about the Newlyn course!!

Expand full comment

What a sensible conclusion. We all think we ‘should’ be doing something different. Go where your heart leads you. And may I ask where is that fabulous piece of coastline? North Norfolk, yes , but where. I don’t know that part of the world at all.

Expand full comment

Exactly Liza - I'm working on the principle that if I do what I love the rest will follow! We love that Norfolk coast - from Thornham marshes to Brancaster Staithe and along to Blakeney - it's fabulous, the big skies and shifting tides!!

Expand full comment

Must try to explore one of these fine days. Always seems so off the beaten track😊

Expand full comment

Luckily for us, from here in Lincolnshire, we can make a day trip there 😊

Expand full comment

Hi Carolyn, I’ve enjoyed this very much. It is hard to keep a balance, isn’t it!?! I love the color palette you use and the variety of tools and mark makers you use. Your images always tell a moody story for me. And I also enjoy the scratchy sounds that happen as you do this good work. I think I heard bird song and thunder along the way as you were creating. It will all work out!!! Kat _^..^_

Expand full comment

Thx so much Kat. Yes, finding a balance is definitely tricky! I too, love the sounds the tools make, connects me even more to the pieces! And yes, I think there was a bit of everything that day - sunshine, birdsong, rain, thunder.....makes life interesting!!

Expand full comment

Thank you for this thoughtful essay, Carolyn. You have introduced me to Kathleen Jamie and while my library has no copies of her work, my local bookstore does! I look forward to becoming acquainted with her writing.

Expand full comment

Glad you found it interesting Kim! Enjoy discovering Kathleen Jamie and her writing - I find it fascinating! Have a great weekend!

Expand full comment

That is a wonderful piece - and a fabulous realisation. I have been telling myself the same stories too and making work to please others. Isn't it funny how we become so influenced by outside forces? I hope your luck improved and there were no more desk disasters.

Expand full comment

Thanks Gillian, so glad to hear that it resonated with you! Yes, I've been guilty of being influenced by others instead of listening to my inner voice!! And the spills encouraged me to have a tidy up, especially as I'm now sorting out work for framing!! Have a great weekend!

Expand full comment

Glad I’m not the only one to have spillage/knocking over sessions - mine usually accompanied by choice swear words!🤭

Expand full comment

Ha...there might have been the odd curse, especially when the water dripped down the back of the worktop and I was frantically pulling framed paintings out of the way!!

Expand full comment