After a long hot coach journey to Victoria I stepped onto the pavement with my four bags and wondered how I was going to manage to reach Islington. I had my handbag, my rucksack (with clothes for the forecast storms), my portfolio with mounted unframed work and perspex for monotype-making, and my wheeled suitcase full of materials, banner, stall covering, cards and catalogues.( I had a dream last night that even my portfolio had wheel). It was very hot. so I walked a few steps, then stopped, then walked a few more. I was grateful I’d been going to the gym regularly to give me strong arms.
Two police officers helped me at Victoria British Rail but they stopped at the entrance to the tube, and the staf there told me they didn’t help with luggage, and there as no lift. Getting down the escalators wasn’t much fun. At Caledonian Road it as very hot and cabs were a rare species. I finally managed to wave one down and reached Hungerford Road with a very sweaty back.
A game of badminton in the garden oasis seemed a good idea so that was what we did, until dusk and the sky and my skin appeared yellow as the storm gathered above. Early the next morning the skies danced and sung, and awoke me early. I was on my way to Old Street tube, and then to putting up my stall, and the rain was holding off.
I strung Tibetan prayer flags behind me, and a hoop I’d made of wood from a local Cornish wood, above me., as well as two little sculptures I’d made, to remind me of who I was… I also had works from dreams of mine, and examples of monotypes. I set about making anew work, from a dream of my parents who were strapped to oar blades, and I was trying to row, but the oar blades were sunk very deep into the water and it took a great effort from me to raise them to the surface, but I did manage to.
I made two dreams of visitors dreams, which was fewer than I thought I’d make, but they were two very fine dreams and I was pleased to be able to work with them, and I was pleased with the drawings I made, although in both cases I needed two attempts to get to the heart of the dream with the drawing.
The Fête itself was great – here are some photos…
Some friends came along which great, and students from long ago as well as from recent courses.
Now I’m home and preparing works to go to Edinburgh: measuring, titling, wrapping, framing, pricing… and finishing four pieces too, and trying to get in a quick swim each day the sun is shining…
and best morning joy is walking on the garden grass with bare feet, and eating my breakfast, communing with the plants which are all almost bursting with life….