Pipeline Projects - museum commissions

I have just been commissioned by Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery as part of the open shop project, to be resident in a disused shop for a month to engage the towns residents in their vast print and ephemera archive. I will be making mapping portraits of the locals who exchange their stories over free cups of tea.

I am journeying to London a lot of late, to immerse myself in the delicious receipt books housed at the Wellcome Trust. I'm brimful of 17th century recipes and remedies eager to try out on at home. An exciting new publication is in the pipeline to be distributed at the annual Wellcome Picnic held this summer in Camden. It's all rather appetite whetting .

As determined as a dandelion

The School of Life wrote a very poignant posting on determination a few days ago. I read it last night with a dear friend whom it seemed also very fitting. Sometimes it's easy to let yourself be blown about by the wind, and loose grasp of the roots that ground you. I then opened an email from another very special friend who sent me a quote from a book written by the inspiring Monty Don,

'I remember, many years ago, chatting to a man whilst waiting for the ferry to Mull and asking where he came from and he replied in the lovely singsong of the highlands and islands, 'My people belong to Gigha' which at the time - and now- I thought one of the most beautiful and poetic ways of describing one's roots. I now know that this is how almost all Scots will say where their home is. For many of us this is impossible. We do not necessarily feel that our people 'belong' anywhere or that we belong with them. For all the pity of that I also believe that you can arrive at where you belong and that this can be a subtle and diverse thing. But it matters terribly to find out where it is.'

It's just a thought that makes everything I'm doing just now feel important on a day that felt like I was the captain of a sinking ship. Be Brave as a Lion, Determined as a Dandelion. x

A Yellow Letter Day

A day of sunshine deep relief long out breaths.

Wellcome Library

I feel it my duty to inform all who may remain ignorant of the wonder that is the Wellcome Trust Library. A Library brim full of knowledge on science, medicine, society, wellbeing, magic and witchcraft. The calmest of London spaces furnished in the rich green landscape of spines/lecterns/marble/mahogany desks. Handsome scholars and helpful staff. What more does a nosey artist need.

Reading for Reading's Sake

A BABL outing to Islington Mill for an informed weekend reading event. Perfect to gather momentum for the summer, be challenged by words and meet bookish books at every turn. The reading room became the talking room. Ssssh.

Review

Splash on the silver(wood) screen

'Whata week I'm havin'

Shutter Search

Pantone research for the perfect shade that says come be still/calm seas await/leave much better. I am after le petit carluc in a paint pot.