Happy New Year

2019 is here and I'm excited for what this year will bring. Last year was busy but this year I am hoping to build new relationships with Galleries and Exhibitions. I have already booked in three new exhibitions for later in the year. Last years exhibition, 'Crossing Paths' with Jenny McLaren in Denton House was very enjoyable. This year we are working together again on a new theme for the end of March and including a guest artist from the NE. 

I'm showing in Lowes Court in March with Phil Cram and Gillian Vaudrey. The work will be Mixed Media and Collage. My hundred square project last year really whetted my appetite for collage. I will be presenting another solo show at Florence Arts Centre all based around my exploration with collaging paper based materials and how I have developed my work. That will be much later in the year.

I'm hoping to show at Eskdale, Allonby, Grasmere and Gosforth again this year and into Armathwaite for the first time.

The main thing in making art often is letting go of your expectation and your idea

Agnes Martin

​January is always an exciting time for a diarist or one who journals. A chance to open a new book. This year I have two projects on the go. I made a repurposed journal using an old hard-backed book for use this year. I removed about 1/3 of the pages and then glued every two pages together. Then I covered over the text with patterned paper or good quality mixed media paper. It feels very substantial in my hands. I already love it. The other project is being part of a sketching circle. At the end of the month I will send off my sketchbook and in place receive someone else's book. I then work in that book before sending on again. I have no expectations but I'd like to try and improve my drawing of people. My last few holiday sketches in Rome of Trevi Fountain and The Coliseum had no people in them yet the places were heaving with tourists.