…. and today I took a step! I actually managed to get off to the organisers my entry for this year’s “Patchings” exhibition.* I consider it to have been a considerable achievement because this wretched cold has left me in a state of misery and depression. Nevertheless, I got a grip, made some selection decisions, wrestled with their on-line application procedure, and have received confirmation that I’m “in”. It is another question, of course, as to whether my offer will be successful, but I’ve made the commitment.
This evening we will be having one of the periodic meetings of the “Unit 9” Group, up at the South Square Centre. These are always congenial events, with informal food and drink to accompany the business. It will be good if I can come home with the details firmly decided about my solo exhibition in the Centre in the autumn. I’m hoping to make this the occasion on which I launch my series of tree studies. It has been remarkable the way in which the completion of that group of pictures triggered a realisation that similar themes had enjoyed an intermittent, if rather subterranean, existence in my work for years. Suddenly, several previously unconsidered relationships have fallen into place. I’m rather looking forward to it.
* “Patchings” is a well regarded national event which takes place annually at an art centre in Nottinghamshire. It is run by the publishing group which produces the most popular and widely-circulated group of art magazines in this country, such as The Artist.