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Monday, June 30, 2014

gem.

I left a lot of friends in Australia. Lots of brilliant people who helped me in the really early days of my business (though it still feels early 3 years on!). One of those gems came to visit me last week and it was such a pleasure to show her round my 'new' studio. 

Friday, June 27, 2014

carousel.

A dear friend came to visit me last week - we had a glorious four days in the sunshine, a rare occurrence on this wee island! This photo was taken in my childhood home, Silverdale. This sweet water-driven carousel is one of the oldest examples of its type in the world! 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

strawberries.

Ooh strawberries! Inspired by the golden days at the Rushen Abbey gardens.

(Originally a home for monks of the Sauvignac Order, Rushen Abbey came under Cistercian control and was developed as the Isle of Man’s seat of religious power housing the main body of knowledge and literacy for the Island. During the mid-20th century, the gardens became popular for tea dances, with strawberries and cream!


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

trade.

I love trade. And I love seeing my work in other people's homes - thanks to Phil Kneen for this lovely shot of his (well, Helen's) stash of pots for our recent photos-for-pots trade.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

limits.

Dear Self,
We need a word.
I tell myself that I know my limits, but I seem to be forever pushing them, then regretting it and feeling ashamed of myself.
Let's make some notes, shall we.

* I know that I need at LEAST 8 hours sleep every night. I can't function otherwise. I feel nauseous. I can't concentrate. I get emotional, irrationally so. I pick fights. The worst: I get migraines and lose whole days.
* I need to go for walks, preferably amongst some trees, to clear my head.
* I need to do yoga every week, to stop my neck seizing up.
* I need to eat a decent lunch and not snack as much (especially not in the morning).
* I need to take a day off every week.

I make excuses for being a workaholic, saying that 'it's for the business'. But that isn't true - it's for ME, some way of validating my existence as an artist. I often break all of my 'rules' because I think I can get away with it - I'm 25, supposedly young and resilient. But I exhaust myself. I take it out on the lovely people around me. It makes me horrible company.

5 months ago I met a man who could possibly be the love of my life. My work patterns were transformed within a week. Later mornings, earlier afternoons, Sundays OFF. It was so alien to me. But it's GOOD and feels right. Previous relationships have suffered from the commitment to my work and somewhat coldly, I never minded much. I shrugged it off, thinking that I'm better alone.

This time however, I don't want to neglect my loved one in favour of my career. I need to navigate a way to balance both.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

cut + stick.

I love sketchbook time. Most of my best work is laid out on paper before it becomes a pot. 
I don't get as much time as I would like to sit with my sketchbook, to draw, paint, or cut and stick. 
I'll work on that.

Monday, June 09, 2014

june.


Sunday, June 08, 2014

erin.

For one month only, you can find my work at the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin! They will be hosting the 40th Manannan Festival of Music and Arts throughout June and the line up is cracking!

The Erin Arts Centre is open Wednesday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm and 30 minutes before an event! Find out more on their website.

video.

Big thanks to Paul Moulton of MT TV for visiting the studio to film this cracking interview!