I am becoming increasingly frustrated by the succession of diversions which keep me away from painting. Some of these are my own fault, such as any reckless agreement to repair a set of benches in the neighbouring church yard. Others are events over which I have no control whatsoever, such as the sudden death of a friend. (This will involve a three-day trip to the London area for the funeral.) Some seem like offers I can’t refuse (or shouldn’t) such as the speaking engagement this week-end, when I will back up with a talk the current exhibition of my “Green Man” pictures. Then, of course, Christmas is beginning to peep over the horizon! And so it goes, as Kurt Vonnegut used to say.
I am beginning to think that I ought to develop a persona as somebody totally reclusive and hostile to any temptation to be sociable. The trouble is that I really don’t know how to go about that. People would get in touch to ask whether I was OK, and that would lead to an un-refusable get-together. It has occurred to me that my most productive periods have been set in motion by what I call my “art retreats”, in which I hire a small and remote cottage for a week and hide away with my art things. Maybe I’m due for another one. Now, there’s a thought!