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.

2 months to go

By Roy Eastland, Walpol Bay Hotel

I need to get my arse in gear. I've barely spent a week in the studio this month. I have to get into a healthy routine- early nights, writing, reading, yoga and most importantly painting. Although I haven't been in the studio much, I have been doing a lot of writing, which has cleared my head and formed a loosely structured plan of action. Once I start working I can tighten it up, and watch as things unfold. So far so good. The writing is a blessing. I'm writing every morning and have started writing in my journal again (something I've avoided for 3 years). Jesus. It's not that I haven't picked up a pen at all- I have been writing and maintaining various notebooks, i.e. art ideas and quotes, spiritual realizations, but nothing regarding the day to day drama of my existence. I used to pour all the emotional confusion about relationships and my place within the world into my journal- I guess I no longer have such existential concerns, or at least not so painful ones anyway.

I spent a week with Camilla in Fuerta Ventura- a sun drenched, turquoise surrounded haven. I read two books and came back with a delightful tan.
I went to the studio yesterday morning and the work is looking great. Felt very positive about it all- I plan to finish these two and have three more on the go in preparation for Amsterdam in December. Need to get on to Bertha re:dates and renew my passport... I've been waiting 10years to change that Godawful photo. New work can be seen on my visual blog www.kristenhealy.blogspot.com