Vincent Gallery Healy

Died suddenly of a massive heart attack on the 29th December 2011. Miss him terribly. Beautiful man, devoted father, loving friend. Irreplaceable.

New Paintings

Back in Brighton, back to work.

It's good to be here, and in the studio but must admit I miss the country (but not the madness).

It feels like a funny time to be started new work... would much prefer to be in hibernation. At the moment I'm painting on cheap, nasty pre-stretched/primed canvas which is doing strange things to the paint. It repels, rather than holds which is causing problems re: building layers... I am viewing these as oil sketches in preparation for the next series based on the Burren.

Some cow arses for you....

Sunny days and Guinness

Drinking too much.
Painting too little.

Ultimately quite enjoying myself.

Walks up the mountain keep things tip top.

Shattered

It has been an emotional disaster of late... I've been energetically thrust into an quagmire of dysfunction and upset.


I cannot wait to be back in the Burren.

On a more positive note- my greeting cards and commercial birdies are doing well... They are now available in IO Gallery, Northlanes, Brighton and The Bodhini Gallery, St Albans. Check out at www.kristennavarra.carbonmade.com

This summer I'll be making lots of paper based work and working with photography with a view to informing my studio practice in the autumn. Creatively it will be a time of focus and experimentation, coupled with an emphasis on healthy living and sound judgment...

Spring Clean

Detoxing... retoxing... detoxing... retoxing... ah, detoxing.

Ready for a retox baby!!!

The flowers are popping, the sun is shining (in between soft rain spells and the occasional hair lifting blustery wind bursts) and the year is progressing nicely.

A commercial gallery in St Albans has taken some work, and some paintings are going to feature in 'Living etc' interior design magazine. All very positive. I've had cards developed and have started doing craft fairs- receiving positive feedback for my efforts.



Off to Ireland for the summer again... there's just something about that place. The Burren- a beauty spot in the west of Ireland, and where I spent summers with our huge extended family as a child. It's all feeding back in to the current work I'm making, and being there is strengthening familial ties. A win win situation... IF I can avoid mischief making... Kristen be a good girl.

Thirty-one

The transition from 30 to 31 has passed without too much fuss and fancy, but good fun and quality time with loved ones.

Had a day in London with Bella- trip to Susan Hiller exhibition at the Tate Britain (( old hippy- loved the happy halo portraits, and the audio piece featuring sentences from endangered languages... beep beep pop beep prrrrrrr... lovely)), then lunch in Soho. A few drinks in Covent Garden before meeting Camilla, Lebo and Kabelo for a Japanese meal, and bowling at Bloomsbury Lanes. There were two very good bands, one of whom sang songs about Liberation Theology- right up my street. Bowling was enjoyed with much booze and merry-making- a lovely evening.

The following day started slowly- another meal and some Chinese New Years action in Soho. Colourful and interesting, but pretty soon needed space from the crowds. Back in Margate that evening for some time with the folks- massages, cream teas, cards, gifts and playing cards with me dad. In Brighton celebrated with Sky in the evening- a delicious home cooked feast and an abundance of red wine... great conversation and lots of laughter.

I have to say I missed Rich, it being the first birthday in years without him, but the sweetheart had sent me two emails and an e-card from Dubai. Also many thanks for the steady stream of texts and messages throughout the day- nice to be thought of. No cake this year, but a custard tart and a pineapple sponge left little room for complaint.

Recently, it's been a case of too much booze, too much excess, too much thinking about things past and unalterable. Too much moody smoking, and general lack of focus. I suppose I've been a bit shook of late.

I began another detox on the 9th and already feeling clarity slowly return...

Pauline

A strong, beautiful, quick witted woman- I loved being in her company, especially when hung-over. She was so in the mode of goodness, her light was soothing to my toxicity.

Love and thoughts are with Brendan, Michael, Enda and Yvonne, and all those who knew and loved her.

May her continued journey be blessed and full of bliss.

2011

Out with the old, in with the new.

2010 was difficult- spent the year splitting with Rich (and still not quite sure we've managed it), the summer in Clare (drama and chaos coupled with nature and meditation), and working hard at painting (see www.kristenhealy.blogspot.com ).

Those were the main themes of the year, but other stuff happened too-
I became an aunt to Rene and Shanti's first child,
I witnessed Tom's wedding to Lucy,
I photographed Carls to Amrita,
there were two crazy Irish weddings (alcohol, laughter, dancing, injuries and hospitals),
I went to Budapest with Camilla,
I turned 3o,
I started smoking again (and have since quit),
I worried about my father during 3 months of illness (he's fully recovered now, thanksbetogod),
Holidayed with folks and Bel in Fuerta Ventura,
I went to Amsterdam to attend a party (which was pretty damn good),
I started living by myself for the first time (still adjusting).

I said goodbye to 2010 with the Brighton Hare krishna devotees at Temple St, then snuck off in the early hours with Sky for a beer on the beach. It was a nice mellow end to the year. Sky came round for dinner on the first, and we constructed our lists of goals and wishes for 2011.... concise, attainable targets and structured plans. He thought my list was too career/work heavy, so I peppered in some fun stuff. To be honest, the fun stuff takes care of itself... it doesn't need planning.

Here's a brief overview:
- Secure gallery representation
- Clear all debt
- Make a profit
- Learn how to use a sewing machine
- Go camping
- Spend 3 weeks in Ireland painting
- Get fit
- Be active in Brighton art scene

... positive stuff. Keep moving forward- we're playing the long-game here.

Good luck one and all for 2011- may it be challenging and fun, adventurous and fruitful.

Back in the U.K

Painting, painting, painting... looking for new place to live, looking for a gallery to sell my paintings for loadsa money, moving further into my thirties as a newly single woman.

My nephew

My heart is overwhelmed with love for this delicate child. I hope he has a happy and meaningful life.

The Burren

A summer of reflection and meditations on nature in the west of Ireland.

Love

All that spirit desires, spirit attains.

John Moores Contemporary Prize

Whoop Whoop! I've got through to Stage 2 of the competition... Check out the entry below, and wish me luck to go further.

Boy George

Some friends took Boy George a cake, with HARE KRISHNA writ large in icing... and he gave seven of us tickets to his gig at the dome. Amazing evening! I was sick in bed, but dragged myself out for an impromptu harinam round the lanes, and then the gig, seeing as my name was on the guestlist(!). It was wicked- had a dance, chanted hare krishna, ate some ice cream... He belted out the classics, and gave us a shout out. In the mans own words "If you're gonna worship a God, then why not a blue one... A beautiful blue one"

Check out vid on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ4TmJw4pg4

Spring

A decision has been made to spend some time painting in Ireland this summer. Very excited.

30 if she's a day...

Every girl needs at least two cakes to ease the transition into her thirties.

A gorgeous week of extended celebrations- big thanks to Rich for treating me to cookies on the beach followed by London Philharmonic at the Dome, Sky and Louise for birthday dinner and cake (second cake with sparkly candles), Rich again for a journey into strange decadent world of George Prince Regent's false ego, and last but not least veggie feast with all the family at Margarets- complete with veggie cake made by Margarets fair hands... amazement all round such a fine cake could be made without eggs. Also thanks to all who sent messages, cards, and little birthday gifts throughout the week... "I'm happy you appeared!" cup, chocolate piranha, lilies left on doorstep (or rather in empty bin, for want of a doorstep on this godawful road), handmade collage card, and leopard print beret were among my favourites.

2009

* Started a new body of paintings. So far two completed, three more in progress.
* Started a visual blog to showcase new drawings and paintings.
* Moved house three times and retained my sanity.
* Completed three portraiture drawing commissions.
* Constructed a plan of action regarding artistic career.
* Moved in with boyfriend.
* Sunbathed in Fuerta Ventura for a week, and still have a tan some three months later.
* Accepted the inevitable increase in wisdom hairs.
* Returned to keeping a journal, morning pages and poetry.
* Had the Mahamantra sung throughout the house by HH MahaVishnu Swami.
* The (blasted) wedding dvds are now complete and ready to be gifted.
* Moved into working studio at Robertson Yard.
* Holidayed in Clare with good friends Ad, Bec and Rich.
* Attended a Muslim wedding.
* Attended 40th Anniversary Gala of Hare Krishnas at the Troxy.
* Completed a nine day colon cleanse- five days of which liquid only.
* Saw Bat for Lashes at Somerset House with Rich- amazing.
* Perfected the art of mount cutting.
* Researched potential galleries in Amsterdam and London.
* Moved on from romantic delusions of the last several years.
* Climbed Mullachmor to watch the sunset, then climbed down by moonlight.
* Weekend in Amsterdam with my sister.
* Celebrated my beloved fathers 70th Birthday.
* Learned how to fly a power kite at Lahinch.
* Five days in Leeds with Kyla- art, nature, open fires.
* Invigilated at FUSEBOX gallery during Brighton fringe.
* Had two job interviews, got neither.
* First swim of the year in Lahinch.
* Strengthened relations with parents.
* Donated linen drawing to Walpol Bay Hotel.
* Hosted a 24 person Hare Krishna program with Rich in our tiny house.
* Had my portrait drawn by Roy Eastland.
* Preached when drunk.
* Accepted my failings with good humour and the desire to continue to grow.

2010 holds all manner of possibilities.

Yuletide

Christmas is upon us, and my thoughts are going to friends I miss... lucky buggers who find themselves in hotter climates. I am feeling the pain of separation.

Amsterdam was a mixed bag of drunken merriment coupled with frustrated artists... I think I'll give it a miss for the next couple of years. It was great spending the weekend with Bel, and we did get ourselves to Haarlem which is home to the Teylers Museum as well as the Fran Hals Museum- both fascinating and inspiring places. Dutch painting really does hit it like no other. I feel good about this path.

A wet month

It rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured and it rained and it poured.

I would like to go somewhere hot- blindfold myself and put a pin in a map, aimed in the general direction of the southern hemisphere...

Autumnal hues

I love this month- now don't get me wrong... all is not rosy. It's better. Brown, red, orange and yellow.

Painting is going strong- I've been steaming away, and almost finished two, and the third is going well, early on. I have my painting mojo back. But, boo, my deadline to show has been wiped away. My friends at the lovely Hans Brinker never got it together to contact past prize winners to exhibit this year. 'The disorganization!' as one friend gasped.
It's disappointing- but I mustn't lose my focus. Keep up momentum, and create a new body of work with which to create new opportunities.

All's not lost. Me and Bel are still going to party in the 'dam.
My linen drawing for Walpol Bay Hotel.