Short but sweet

Two free opportunities to meet online

Dear friends

Exactly this time last year I was putting together an application for a painting award that I didn’t think I stood any chance of winning: The RSA MacRobert Trust Art Award for Painting. But, setting aside my circling thoughts of ‘You’re not really a painter. They’ll go for someone with a much higher profile. Your work’s not good enough,’ I carefully prepared my application, hit ‘submit’, and then promptly forgot about it. I was so sure I didn’t stand a chance.

So when the email came a couple of months later to say I had won it, I had to read it several times for it to sink in. £20,000. To support my studio practice. To explore, research and develop new work. What a gift. It’s been transformative.

And to think I nearly talked myself out of applying…

In my happy place….

If you are a painter based in Scotland who graduated at least 10 years ago, you are eligible to apply for this year’s award. And I would like to help you. I am offering a free webinar walk-through of the application process from an artist’s perspective, with a sneak peek at my own successful application from last year and I’ll answer any questions you might have. The deadline is coming up soon so I’m doing this quickly: Friday 24th May at 1 pm. Sign up below and if you can’t make it on the day you’ll be sent a recording. And if you know someone who might be eligible to apply, spread the word!

The Life Raft Co-Working

Join our little Life Raft Zoom Co-Working session from 3 pm to 4.30 pm Wednesdays UK time. It’s pretty chilled. We say hello at the start and share what creative project we’re working on, then settle down for about 45 minutes to work quietly in a shared space until 4pm, then gather again to close with a bit of conversation and community. Here’s the link.

Sorry, I forgot to record last week’s session! Whoops. I’ll try and remember this week!

This is a very short and practical email this week. Normal service will resume next week when I hope I’ll have a quieter brain and a bit more time to write.

In the meantime, you might like to browse a few favourite posts from earlier that you might have missed:

As always, thanks for joining me in this Life Boat! I hugely appreciate your company, your comments and your time.

Until next week!

— Sam

P.S. Did you know that if you click on the heart button at the top or bottom of this email you’ll help other readers to find The Life Boat? It also makes me very happy!