The blog returns after a spell away for rest and recuperation. My work book logs it as a single page saying 'Break – Time Off – Art-free Zone' between Xmas and the last week of February.
When I did return to planet Artwork it was aboard the good ship Window Work (of course) but I was horrified to discover that my drawing muscles had withered somewhat. My touch was clumsy and slow, and I was way, way, out of practice at looking. After much unrewarding labour at the window, I think I've got some of that fitness back, and now, occasionally, my fast sketches aren't too bad. I quite like the linear efficiency of the 'backpack girl' at the upper right, and the liquid blobs of the gulls.
That apart, the normal routine has resumed. Compositions have been worked out, panels have been made and primed, and two easel pieces are currently on the go, with a third awaiting its turn. I did have a slight setback though, as just having finished the panels, I had quite a severe 'tweak' of the back. This made standing at the easel difficult for a few weeks, and for a while I was restricted to – window work! However, it's well on the mend now, which is really rather nice.
Finally, out in the wider world, I have a painting (Herd – West Lothian) currently selected and hanging in the RSA Open show - in the 'Greek' building on the corner of The Mound and Princes Street, in Edinburgh. It's downstairs in the Lower Gallery, and, along with the entire contents of the show, is online as well.
Nice to be back...
