"...what matters most to me: the power of stillness in a world of noise, the value of making, slowly, with the hand, in the face of increasingly ubiquitous AI, and a commitment to process, practice, craft, and beauty as an active daily choice in defiance of the ugliness, horror and carelessness that our so-called leaders keep propagating." Yes, yes, yes.
I so appreciated your video of your studio showing how you create such amazing art works. Your description of capturing the the light of the wave and you poem was so inspiring. Thank for you amazing art which surely captures the ever changing landscape and ocean surrounding you in Orkney. Alma
what matters most to me: the power of stillness in a world of noise, the value of making, slowly, with the hand, in the face of increasingly ubiquitous AI, and a commitment to process, practice, craft, and beauty as an active daily choice
Sounds and looks a great exhibition and well worth the effort of you all meeting up.
Have a safe journey home. The film and poem are thought provoking, thank you for sharing. I feel differently connected up as a result this morning. I love the idea you make ‘light work’ which seems as oxymoron as it is so labour intensive. It’s an interesting flip and a notion that ‘industry’ need not be ‘heavy’.
Wow, what an adventure getting there! I would have been traumatized from the experience. Hoping the remainder of your time is wondrous and your return trip is uneventful.
I can only imagine how gorgeous your work is in person. Hope to see it so some day! I’m in Michigan, don’t recall how I “discovered” you. I was in Edinburgh last summer, Orkney two years prior, hope to be back soon. I loved being able to see on the video how you make those incredibly delicate marks, amassing to seeming solidity. The video is marvelous: the imagery, music, poem, and your elucidating words. I hope your return journey is smooth. Thank you!
Yay! Thank you Siobhan! I don’t make digital copies of my paintings as the handmade aspect of time involved in making them is so important to the how the work is felt and understood, plus it feels unfair to the person who buys the original to put lots of copies of it out into the world. However, I do hope to make some limited edition screen prints this year (ie prints that are not copies of paintings) so watch this space! Lovely to ‘meet’ you and know that you are a friend of dear Melly!
oh WOW! Samantha - that painting 'The Wave' is stunning. I could look at that all day long. Easy to feel the power of the wave crashing and the spray that results. Amazing to me how you seemingly effortlessly capture the energy of movement in your work. Very much my loss that I cannot take in the paintings at the show in Edinburgh. But SOOOO appreciate you posting the images. Second best. As others have said, safe travels home.
Gorgeous paintings! And that video of you working, your words, that music, that poem, and those waves at the end, blissful and soul-satisfying. Thank you.
Lucky me! I’ll be down to the Scottish Gallery soon to see what promises to be a wonderful exhibition. Your paintings look fabulous here and will, I’m sure, be even better irl. ‘Yes’ to stillness in this chaotic and increasingly frightening world. Since the New Year I’ve been trying to avoid News and lose myself in long walks in the hills or on the coast, but it’s hard some days to ignore the violent and evil acts over which we have no control. Your paintings bring a welcome image of peace.
Beautiful work, and so pleased you made the journey successfully. A lovely picture of your colleagues and friends. Very lovely to read this - thank you.
"...what matters most to me: the power of stillness in a world of noise, the value of making, slowly, with the hand, in the face of increasingly ubiquitous AI, and a commitment to process, practice, craft, and beauty as an active daily choice in defiance of the ugliness, horror and carelessness that our so-called leaders keep propagating." Yes, yes, yes.
Was just about to put those wonderful words in a comment too, Carri. Heck, I’ll do it anyway to add to the applause!
Yes! My favorite part too!
I so appreciated your video of your studio showing how you create such amazing art works. Your description of capturing the the light of the wave and you poem was so inspiring. Thank for you amazing art which surely captures the ever changing landscape and ocean surrounding you in Orkney. Alma
Thank you Alma! My last night in the city tonight and (hopefully!!!) back to my island home and the sea tomorrow 🤗
what matters most to me: the power of stillness in a world of noise, the value of making, slowly, with the hand, in the face of increasingly ubiquitous AI, and a commitment to process, practice, craft, and beauty as an active daily choice
👏👏👏
Your work is incredible. Such a lovely film. Mesmerizing. Good start to the morning here in western Massachusetts. Thank you. Have a lovely show.
Greetings to you in Massachusetts! Lovely to know you are reading and watching, Kristin 🙂
Sounds and looks a great exhibition and well worth the effort of you all meeting up.
Have a safe journey home. The film and poem are thought provoking, thank you for sharing. I feel differently connected up as a result this morning. I love the idea you make ‘light work’ which seems as oxymoron as it is so labour intensive. It’s an interesting flip and a notion that ‘industry’ need not be ‘heavy’.
Light industry, yes! See you on the Life Raft next Wednesday, Lorna, and I hope a more regular schedule for the next few months!
Wow, what an adventure getting there! I would have been traumatized from the experience. Hoping the remainder of your time is wondrous and your return trip is uneventful.
Uneventful it was Paul, thank you! It’s good to be home again.
I can only imagine how gorgeous your work is in person. Hope to see it so some day! I’m in Michigan, don’t recall how I “discovered” you. I was in Edinburgh last summer, Orkney two years prior, hope to be back soon. I loved being able to see on the video how you make those incredibly delicate marks, amassing to seeming solidity. The video is marvelous: the imagery, music, poem, and your elucidating words. I hope your return journey is smooth. Thank you!
I am guessing it was the Orkney connection that started it all…thank you so much, Melissa. Glad to be a wee reminder of your time here.
Update: it let me upgrade, yay!
Yay! Thank you Siobhan! I don’t make digital copies of my paintings as the handmade aspect of time involved in making them is so important to the how the work is felt and understood, plus it feels unfair to the person who buys the original to put lots of copies of it out into the world. However, I do hope to make some limited edition screen prints this year (ie prints that are not copies of paintings) so watch this space! Lovely to ‘meet’ you and know that you are a friend of dear Melly!
oh WOW! Samantha - that painting 'The Wave' is stunning. I could look at that all day long. Easy to feel the power of the wave crashing and the spray that results. Amazing to me how you seemingly effortlessly capture the energy of movement in your work. Very much my loss that I cannot take in the paintings at the show in Edinburgh. But SOOOO appreciate you posting the images. Second best. As others have said, safe travels home.
Thank you Melissa, that is so kind of you to say. Your words encourage me to get back in the studio and paint.
Gorgeous paintings! And that video of you working, your words, that music, that poem, and those waves at the end, blissful and soul-satisfying. Thank you.
You’re so welcome Deborah. I’ve been away from the sea this week, so I’m looking forward to getting back to it.
Enjoy! Love to you both xx
Home soon I hope! We are long overdue a catch up. Love to you both too xxx
We are! Liam through his op. Hope to be home next week. XX
Congratulations and what an absolutely beautiful post and film. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
Lucky me! I’ll be down to the Scottish Gallery soon to see what promises to be a wonderful exhibition. Your paintings look fabulous here and will, I’m sure, be even better irl. ‘Yes’ to stillness in this chaotic and increasingly frightening world. Since the New Year I’ve been trying to avoid News and lose myself in long walks in the hills or on the coast, but it’s hard some days to ignore the violent and evil acts over which we have no control. Your paintings bring a welcome image of peace.
I hope so Liza. Yes it’s on until 31st January. They have some lovely Silvia Wisharts downstairs - rare finds!
Went on Friday. Your paintings are exquisite - and so are Sylvia W’s in quite another way. Fabulous exhibition all round. Congratulations.
So much talent from Orkney! Good luck with the exhibition -fabulous work. Wish I could be there too
Shetland too! 😜
All the best with your exhibition .. your work looks stunning and heartfelt . Wish I could be there in person to see it
Thank you Heather!
Beautiful work, and so pleased you made the journey successfully. A lovely picture of your colleagues and friends. Very lovely to read this - thank you.
Thank you Liz! It’s been fun in the city but I’m ready to go home now!