Well, what a journey it has been since my last exhibition, We Need to Talk About Dying, in March 2020. I was so lucky with the timing of that exhibition, two days after I took the exhibition down we were in lockdown thanks to Covid-19! Not only was it the end of a big project for me, it felt like the whole world had changed. I’d gone from three weeks having some very deep beautiful and meaningful conversations at The Arts Village to being locked up at home alone. The ideas I had felt building up seemed to fade. Apparently I don’t do so well in isolation.
Coming out of lockdown I made it back to the studio and began to dream again of future exhibitions. I was enjoying creating large artworks and had ideas for workshops so made the move to a stunning new studio in town. The excitement of this pretty, large space was short lived as it turned out it had a leak (not exactly compatible with paintings) which just didn’t seem to be able to be fixed so after six months I was forced to admit defeat and move out. That left me without a studio for a period of time, which was a valuable experience in itself. It was interesting to realise just how much I benefit from having that space and how much I need to create.
Eventually I found a space, moving into an industrial unit with my partner’s business. This worked well as we were both looking for space and the unit was too large for either of us alone. It’s a challenge settling into a new space and figuring out how best to use it, especially when sharing, which I’m sure either of us will attest to! We are still figuring it out and as the seasons change that requires further adjustment and figuring out how to make it work. The shift to cooler temperatures and fewer bright days has seen us wanting to work in the little office space with a heater and the lack of drying weather for my ink works has led me to follow my curiosity to incorporate sewing into my work. I had been wanting to bring Mum’s sewing machine to the studio for a play for a long while so this seemed an opportune time. I have enjoyed creating works on paper in order to sew the lines that have become so distinctive in my work. A few of these are still available for sale on my website.
One thing I have learned for certain is that I function better when I have a studio space and when I’m creating regularly. And I have extra appreciation for my first little studio that I moved out of mid 2020 after a few years of enjoying its sanctuary and creating bodies of work for two solo exhibitions.
Amidst all the change around the studio I’ve also undergone huge (but exciting) change in my personal life moving in with my partner and then buying a house together which we are currently renovating.
I appreciate the continued support of my collectors as I navigate my way through these changes and figure out how that plays out in my work. I am always delighted by the wonderful people my art brings into my life. So, thank you! Until next time….
PS If you’re in Rotorua there are two exhibitions on at The Arts Village at the moment that you might be interested in - Sensosphaera Lucidum by Maria Hermans and Spend a Night, Not a Fortune by Riley Claxton. Definitely worth a visit!
