The Return of the Blog
Following nearly a year’s break, the blog is back with updates on what I have been up since the last post, news, and the piece that inspired this year’s journey so far.
What’s Been Occurring?
Sophie
Well readers, it has been some time, has it not? Firstly, I would like to apologise for not writing in nearly a year; there has been a lot going on.
At the time of my last post, I got the very exciting news of getting a new role at work and the end of summer was spent very much spent busying away, getting ready for the exciting new challenge. For those that know me, you know how much I think of my career as vocational as anything else, and at times I can dedicate a lot to it. That said, life always has additional priorities that also need time and energy.
Throughout the summer and autumn, I continued to have procedures in relation to my disability, with several operations repeated after not being successful. Recovery time was something that I had to prioritise and naturally, my art was one of the things that just had to take a back seat.
In addition to the procedures, my beloved Sophie had one last evening cuddle before falling asleep forever next to me that night. At over 18 years of age, her passing was not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless her loss has been profound, particularly as she was a great comfort to me through my recovery, and subsequently the grief led to a bit of a block on any creativity.
Fortunately, the last few procedures were successful, and while I miss Sophie greatly, the creativity has gradually been coming back and has led to new opportunities as an artist.
A Return to Creativity
My completed Notre Dame painting. My first to be exhibited.
As my creativity began to return, I finally managed to complete my Notre Dame painting, and after much pushing from loved ones, I took the plunge and submitted it for a local exhibition. To my delight (and surprise), it was accepted. From here, everything has snowballed a bit with other paintings also getting selected for exhibitions, leading to a moment of madness where I then applied to be part of one of the biggest regional art festivals this summer.
To my even greater surprise, my application was accepted and I shall be there selling my art, prints, cards and mugs on the 1st to the 2nd of August in my local town of Leamington Spa.
Preparations have been considerable, and with only a few weeks away, I can definitely feel a daunting presence hanging over my shoulder as I complete my preparations. You’ll get more insight into my preparations over the coming weeks, but it would be great to see those of you that can, down there. For further information on the festival, you can check out the website here for Art in the Park
The Painting that Started it all
So as you can see, this painting of the Notre Dame has a lot to answer for. Aside from inspiring me to put myself out there more, it is also cherished for other reasons.
The building itself has been something I have kept a special place in art for most of my life: from cherished family holidays in Paris from a time before life got complicated, to the place I first went abroad solo, to a place I shared with my dear friend the year we both turned 40. Notre Dame is the symbol of Paris, and to me Paris represents many things, family, friendship, and independence achieved. It is not surprising then that this is the painting that has probably taken me the longest to paint so far, with many hours spent trying to capture the essence of the building and what it represents for me.
It is also astonishing to me how popular this piece is, with many people expressing an interest in it. However, I am still not sure if I am ready or ever will be ready, to let it go. That doesn’t mean you have to go without. You are able to purchase mounted and framed prints of the painting on the store. For more details, check out the links below.
A print of my Notre Dame painting mounted ready for you to have framed. This painting is very special to me, not for the sentiment and memories it invokes, but as it was the first painting I ever exhibited. I am sure that this will also become a cherished picture to add to your home.
Product Details
Fine Art Paper 200gsm
Mount 2.4mm
Diameter 40x50cm / 16x20"
So folks, there we have it, 12 months summed up into a few paragraphs. I Hope you have enjoyed the read, and I look forward to keeping you updated from now on.
David