Having discovered a gap in the garden, after some overdue weeding, we visited our local garden centre looking for something to fill the space. We were puzzled at first to discover that they are celebrating today “Elvis’ 21st birthday”. All became clear when we remembered that they have a parrot called Elvis, who is quite a local celebrity. It was quite an event, as it turned out, with gift-stalls, games and musicians.
My ears pricked up when I realised that the musicians included the player of the 5-string banjo. You will be surprised to hear (as I was) that it brought tears to my eyes. My days as a student all came flooding back as I remembered the year I spent sharing a flat with a player of this instrument.
Memory is such a powerful thing! It is no wonder that it can be such an important factor in art …. as I realised earlier this week when I brought out of storage a portrait of my grandmother, for exhibition.