I'm OK

(just in case you were worried)

It’s been over a month since I last wrote and that one was a bit miserable wasn’t it? Thank you so much for the lovely supportive comments and messages, both here and on other platforms, and I was sorry, though also at the same time reassured, to learn that I was far from alone in my experience.

Anyway, I’m pleased to say that my long silence has not been because I have retreated to a darkened room with a year’s supply of chocolate (though actually that doesn’t sound bad). In fact June turned out to be an excellent month, despite the heatwave, with a lot of non-studio busyness; it included several hundred miles of driving around the country, meeting friends, celebrating my birthday and our Ruby Wedding, visiting special places and generally doing what I believe is called kicking back. July then started with the Ironbridge Printmaking Competition Private View which was great fun. More driving on a hot day, more M6 tolls, but all totally worth it. Here I am, grinning like a fool next to ‘By the River’ which had been shortlisted. (And this was before the prosecco).

During all that I did still manage to get some printmaking done, including this little mini-print, ‘Arboretum Lake’, which I have made especially for the first ever Artist & Maker Fair at the Castle Howard Arboretum this Saturday.

Way back in the mists of time when I was learning printmaking at a York College evening class, one of my class mates was Gerard Hobson who is currently Artist in Residence at the Arboretum and organising this fair. I’m immensely touched and flattered that he has invited me to be part of it.

Saturday 11th July 10am - 4.30pm
Castle Howard Arboretum (formerly the Yorkshire Arboretum) Click for map
Admission to the fair is free - usual entry charges apply to continue into the Arboretum.

Work in progress

Meanwhile I am also working on this image of a walk we took on our holiday in France in May. I’m four layers in so far - goodness knows how many more to go. We’ve reached the stage that you can see what the image is, but the colours are still….odd. It will all make sense in the end. (Trust me, I’m a printmaker).

Shop closure

As usual when I’m doing in-person fairs, I’ll be closing the online shop briefly on Saturday to avoid the risk of selling something in two places at once. A heads-up that the shop will also be closed from 21st July until the beginning of August because I am going to Canada to see my grandchildren. My studio assistant is staying here with my husband but he is useless at processing orders, largely because of the lack of opposable thumbs. And because he’s a cat.

staff meeting

It would be lovely to see you at the Arboretum this weekend, but if not I will be in touch again soon, and I will try not to leave it so long this time.

Thanks as always for reading,

Jane