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Deborah Vass's avatar

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.

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Deborah Vass's avatar

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.

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Catherine Koeckx's avatar

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

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Catherine Koeckx's avatar

Definitely!

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Liz Doyle's avatar

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

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Joy Anfous's avatar

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 😀

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Joy Anfous's avatar

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!

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Liza Green's avatar

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.

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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!!

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Liza Green's avatar

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

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Kat Taylor's avatar

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 _^..^_

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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!!

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Kim Ellingson's avatar

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.

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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

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Gillian McMurray's avatar

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.

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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!

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Ruth's avatar

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

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Carolyn J Roberts's avatar

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!!

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