Sometimes when I read the random questions that my blog host suggests first thing in the morning, I immediately know the question is not for me. Today is just such a one. But then it niggled at me as my coffee woke me up.
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.
Don’t we all make hundreds of tiny positive changes every day. Sometimes they add up to something fabulous which feels like a life changing moment. Quite often they add up to something fabulous but not what was expected. And sometimes despite all the positivity of intent some negativity slips into the process and everything in those moments feels a little out of control. Sub-optimal.
Is the size of the positive change the most important thing? Would anyone be interested in the hundreds of teeny tiny positive changes that happen in the course of one day.
This picture is an example of a teeny tiny positive change that occurred yesterday. The lighthouse mop could be dried in the sunshine and wind of yesterday’s weather. Probably for the first time in 6 months. A teeny tiny positive change that nobody noticed in the bigger picture.
Kathleen arrives in these parts tomorrow. Only the second time since naming began that Britain has achieved a 16th-named storm. I only became fully engaged with storms when I took up regular sea swimming or ‘ bobbing’ as it is known in these parts. Living on a small peninsular has made me ‘tuned in’ to the weather in a way that I have never quite been before. I have recently, in the last couple of years taken to painting the sensation of the storm. This year I have been concentrating on printing so have missed out on all the storms since Agnes, in early October.
Storm Agnes- Private Collection
Until a storm arrives I never really know if it will take human form or be an abstract force.
But whichever sort of storm it is, my grubby ‘weather’ tin of colours is available.
Which brings me to today’s random question.
What job would you do for free?
Maybe I could be a storm P.R/ Artist. Give them some character before they arrive, elevate their good points and downplay their obnoxious behaviours. In fantasy land I could be flown to meet them when they first hit British land. Do a quick sketch in the way that notorious criminals are sketched in court*
Then rather than only being identified only by their trail of destruction, a storm could also present a more benign face to the world. People might be more motivated to forgive a storm that empties their dustbin in the street if the storm could be considered elegant or well-dressed. Quirky even.
* In British courts no photography is permitted. Special Court artists are employed by news agencies to depict the main characters in a trial for illustrating the events in court in print, television or digital media.There are four professional courtroom sketch artists in total: Priscilla Coleman, Siân Frances, Julia Quenzler and Elizabeth Cook. All four artists are self-taught.
A marvelous art blog exists called Making a Mark. Below is their article about Court Artists.
Isn’t it deliciously mad that such a career exists. Being a storm artist seems almost normal in comparison. But how long would I do it for free?
Maybe a nanosecond or forever, art is like that. There is nothing like the moment when somebody buys a piece or original art. In my head I flip and cartwheel like an Olympic gymnast. It is not the reason I create but goodness me it is a wonderful feeling when it happens.Storm artist, free until someone pays me!
I realise my * is in the wrong place, my blog my rules.
For anyone who loves great art writing, this Facebook page is the Make a Mark resource I discovered today.
Which of my communities should I improve? Or are they all better off without my tinkering?
All communities are improved with positive engagement. That is what I try to bring to any community I am part of. Sometimes I feel guilt that I am not doing enough but guilt is just fine in manageable doses. Resentment is the worm that destroys things. Now I am semi-retired I give resentment very little time, it is a sign I should step away. Not always possible when you are in the clutches of paid employment. When employed I used resentment as a rocket fuel to move me on, sometimes that move was more of a slow burn but at least I felt in control.
During a WhatsApp exchange this morning I called myself a nonfluencer. The exact opposite of the trendier, more sassy, flashy influencer that is the goal of so many people and communication technology currently.
Sometimes all a community needs is more nonfluencers, who turn up and do. Until they can’t. Joining and leaving can both be good for any community. Staying too long is the problem.
So how would I improve any community I was part of? Stay while I was able to be useful and recognise when the time is right to leave.
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?
Unbelievably pre- COVID-19, I would never, ever, have considered plunging into the sea here at least once a week. Plunging into the sea in all weather and conditions would never have crossed my pre-Covid mind. It has become almost a ritual and one that has more benefits than I could ever have imagined. For some inexplicable reason swimming in cold water has made me braver in other awkward or challenging situations. Rather a positive change that I am very grateful for.
What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?
The first hour of my day looks a lot like the picture above. Until the tea ritual, blog ritual and coffee ritual have been performed. These three regulars can all be compressed into half an hour or extended to an hour and a half. There are side rituals like loading the dishwasher or washing machine. Today in particular I need to be alert to April Fools Day jokes. I am a gullible soul and I have friends who are very adept pranksters. Last year I called at their home on April 1st. As I pulled at their door bell it came off in my hand. I harrumphed at once again being caught out and took their doorbell home with me as a punishment.
Only to discover that I had broken their 100-year-old doorbell mechanism.
Technology has changed every aspect of my life in millions of different ways for millions of years.
How has technology changed your job?
Any job I do only exists because of technology and is easier than it was last year or even last week because of evolving technology. But as someone who writes or draws I could take a trip to Lake Turkana and use a sharp flake of stone and write or draw on a rock surface just as I would have done 3.3 million years ago. My tech gadget, though is letting me down on this one.
You might not think that a lovely old chair and my favourite type of weather are connected. But they both occupy liminal space in my mind.
Derived from the Latin word “limen” which means “threshold,” liminal space is a concept that may sound unfamiliar, but it’s something you’ve likely experienced in your daily life. Liminal space can best be described as going through a change or going from place to place—from one thing to the next.
I like the weather of May and September. Slightly changeable with the chance of moderate warmth and no need for too many layers of clothing
Perfection would be twenty minutes in a chair like this. With a small mug of black coffee or a cup of tea. Sat at an open french window overlooking the sea or at a garden that is not screaming for attention.
A chair like this in gently warm weather would encourage me to read or listen to the radio or a podcast. Or natter. This is not the time or space for TV or devices.Possibly something gently productive like sketching or crochet. Or maybe I could just be. Twenty minutes of not much in particular.
Too many to mention but sometimes the most influential teacher of the moment is the last person I spoke to. Always so much to learn from others. Particularly this week as I have curated a Print Exhibition in a Gallery Cafe.
Here it is, on the morning after the night before. Spic and span and ready for the coffee and art-loving public to flood in.
Last night was a hubub of bubbles, and artists/printers/art- lovers having ernest, fascinating and sometimes wildly inappropriate conversations.
What did I learn last night?
That if I just shortened my beads they would sit better. They do.
At long last the sun came out, sunshine replaced grey rainy day, after grey rainy day . On and on the greige days just kept coming until these vivid stools finally got a moment in the sun. Soon enough the stools filled up with happy basking humans. I looked up the phrase ‘ at long last’ . It rather sums up my feelings about this winter.
Sunshine, you have come back at last!
What was the best compliment you’ve received?
Knowing that people take time to read, comment on and enjoy this blog . So many conversations are sparked. Just as if we were sitting on these seats, warming our faces and staring out to sea.
