There is a temptation in keeping up a blog like this to convey the impression that something significant is happening every day. I have to admit that I have fallen into this trap in the past, but now realise that this is not necessarily a good idea. On the other hand, I realised this afternoon that it might well be important, in terms of conveying a sense of what an artist’s life is like, to record the important fact that very little has happened today, and indeed I am determined that this should be the case tomorrow also. (Actually, I spent most of yesterday at the climbing wall!) I have learned over the years that artists can be under a temptation to drive too hard. We often feel guilt if we are not actually engaged in creative work. This is a great mistake.
I am in a lull at the moment between the intense work of two exhibitions.* This can be quite hard work physically, and it certainly carries an emotional burden. It is vitally important to switch off and allow body and mind to recover. I’ve spent a good part of today doing a jigsaw puzzle, believe it or not. I have spent sometime also, I have to admit, doing routine and undemanding work in preparation for next week, simply wrapping the pieces to be taken to the gallery. Although I have emerging in the back of my mind an idea for a new picture, I’ve pushed this aside for the time being. I will not forget it, and it will be there when the time is right. Meanwhile, it is much more important to recover my resilience in preparation for the next two weeks, which will be demanding in a number of different ways. In the meantime, I’m appreciating the fact that silence (and stillness) is all part of the picture and not a distraction from it.
*My “Almscliff” exhibition at the South Square Centre opened last week, and next week I will be setting up my “About time” show at the Manor House Museum and Gallery, in Ilkley.