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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Doing things

I'm writing this at work from the BookStud, because I just can't find any other time to write. Excuse me if I get a bit disjointed, because I'll run off and do things and then come back in the spaces between jobs.

whoosh

This is how life feels right now. It's been all go at this end, as I'm on the home stretch to a solo exhibition (opening 3 Sept) and there's still LOTS to do. The venue's been paid for, the statement written, the invitations are ready to pick up, and there's enough leftover booze from the studio warming to lubricate the opening, so I can't stop working, it's all too real and impending.

The best bit is that I actually like working under pressure. It releases all sorts of things from my brain that I'd forgotten about. The problem is that life goes on, and my family is getting a bit weary of all these working crises and deadlines. There's only so many times you can say 'Let's just get through this and then I can relax/fix that/help you organise that...' before no-one believes you. Even I don't believe me.

And it would be nice if I could drop everything else and just make things, but there's classes to teach, weekend workshops to run (I'm doing CMAG on Sunday for Book Week on Aug 23, plus another Intro to Book Arts at Megalo the weekend before I install the exhibition), old layout projects to finish off, and favorite television shows to watch. The latter is being solved by recording, but I'd rather watch them live, and the Spicks & Specks half hour is absolutely sacred, so much so that it is the time when friends drop around to spend time with me.

Huzzar! I just managed to arrange some last-minute framing; I thought my show would be all objects, but I happened upon a cache of prints I'd run off a couple of years ago when I was mucking around with some hell-type, and if I may say so myself, they're very pleasing to the eye. So now I shall have some 'real' prints on the wall! Goodness, how arty farty of me.

The staff show opening was fun, and the range of work is terrific.

Annie's rug

This is a shot of the speechy bits, with Annie Trevllian's wonderful floor rug on the right and Annie herself standing to the left of it. There are lots of good artistic personalities in the shot, and the man giving the speechy bits is School Head Gordon Bull.

There's a lot of good shows on at the moment: ANCA has an excellent tenant's show (I'm not in it because I seem to be in everything else. I'll be part of next year's show); and at M16 there's a marvellous show of mechanical art called REFLEX: A show of Mechanical Poetry that is magical and excellent for kids, both big and little.

It's that day of the year again for me today, but it's not having more than a passing thought this year because I don't have the time to indulge myself. The way I am indulging myself is by making sure I have a glass of wine every night, and peeking at delightful and therapeutic blog posts like this one, and this one, among many others.

OK, enough said. Tally ho, see you in the soup!

7 comments:

curious said...

Remember to breathe - isn't that your line? Sounds like you need some time to lie on your back and look up at the stars, hope the endless rush ends soon. I love reading that piece about your brother, hugs to you and your family.

GS said...

Hope the long night of the dead sibling is bearable. Some years bite you on the bottom and others don't. I've never been able to entirely work out the key.

Thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

I have been thinking of you all to day. I never know whether to ring you mum and dad or not, but we always remember over here. I always play the song "wishing you were here with me' Phantom of the Opera. I was with your Mum and Dad when this song came on in the car once and it was a very poignant moment. I looked in the rear mirror and seen your mothers head on your fathers shoulder and I did not know if to turn it of or not. I picture them everytime I hear it. These true stories are for the right moment in time. We have another blessing to think of this month now. RIP Julie the first 12 months are going by. Love and hugs to you all. Keep up your wonderful busy life with your wonderful family Aunty Lou

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I pressed save instead of publish. I dont know what happens now. Hope you still get to read it. You know my skills! Peter told me I can only have half hour lessons because I forget every thing else after that time! Love you Aunty Lou

Ampersand Duck said...

Oh, Lou, now I'm all teary, and I'm not in a very appropriate place to cry (sneaking time on someone's computer!)... what a memory. Thanks for it. I love you too!

ThirdCat said...

aunties are great

take care a.duck

byrd said...

go you good thing.Making time to do nothing is a false economy.Seems we've spent a great deal of time building momentum and ought let it run a while.Will endeavour to talk over your shows next week.