Nice things about Christmas: Being able to have a glass of wine at lunchtime without feeling guilty. Jigsaws and mince pies and walks on the beach. Listening to sublime singing in a tiny church by candlelight (ancient Welsh carols sung unaccompanied by a raven haired young vicaress, but that’s another story….). Things I don’t like about Christmas: Too much chocolate. Icy weather. Feeling guilty because for the first time ever I didn’t send Christmas cards this year. Trying to get back into work mode again afterwards. I’m easing back into it again gently by sorting out paperwork and filing today, which always leaves me with a table full of bits of paper that don’t fit anywhere, books of raffle tickets I never got round to buying and letters I never replied to.
The next task is to give some thought to teaching, with two new classes starting next week at Haverfordwest. My family are working towards getting me to do some video demonstrations to put on the website. Hey, I’m only just getting my head round keeping a blog, but I’ll give it a go. Soon. If we can get the technology right. One thing I like to do in teaching is debunk the myth that talent is all. You may have it or you may not, but without hard work and technique, you’ll get nowhere. Talent is the cherry on the cake, but without the hard work, there’s no cake. Quick-result talent shows on tv fascinate us because they seem to imply that it’s all about talent, and there’s no need to do the hard work. We don’t really want to be reminded that there’s a long road to travel when we’re so focussed on the destination!
Finally…. I’m going ahead with the sketch book idea talked about many blogs ago…. here’s the revised front cover:
A5 spiral bound sketch book – with drawing tips! Available March
I’m not very good at winters. From September onwards I wear so many layers of clothes that getting dressed in the morning takes ages, but I’m still permanently cold. Bracing walks after a day at the drawing board are out of the question because it’s gone dark by then – and is usually raining too. And I’m one of those grumpy people who hates any mention of Christmas before December and I shout at the radio when they wheel out the cheesy Christmas pop songs. I’m either turning into a grumpy old woman or I’m just a bit short of sunlight and vitamin D!
But now it’s mid December I’ll admit it, Christmas is imminent. I can tell because I spend most of the time doing a wide variety of bits and pieces instead of getting stuck in to one big project. There are Christmas commissions (this week including a wooden name plaque for a boat, a portrait of a Dunkirk Little Ship, and a sketch of a pilot cutter), as well as stocking up galleries and helping Perry sort out online orders. Talking of Christmas galleries, here’s a reminder to all you east coast dwellers to visit that unique emporium of all things nautical, Salty Dogs, brainchild of the inimitable Den Phillips. This year it’s at 57 High Street Maldon so pop in if you get a chance; it just gets better each year. Another east coast gallery I’m topping up for Christmas is the delightful Sea Pictures Gallery in Clare, Suffolk – not near the sea but that means all the more reason to buy seascapes! Meanwhile, back here on the west coast I nipped over to Cardigan today to drop some work in at Frame byFrame, run by the inspirational Chloe and Emma.
After new year I’ll change hats and be an illustrator again, but for the moment it’s good to make more space in the studio and get stuff out there. Actually, in January I’ll also have my tutor’s hat back on as I’ve a full two classes of keen students waiting for me on a wednesday in Haverfordwest. Great fun.
The image above is called ‘Silent Night’ and it’s one of the Christmas cards I designed for the Nancy Blackett Trust (www.nancyblackett.org). Unsurprisingly, I don’t do winter sailing, but I know there are those that do! Which reminds me, good luck to Geoff Holt setting off on his Atlantic Challenge today. The lengths some people will go to to get some sunshine….. (www.geoffholt.com)
