Its a relief to respond to the burgeoning energy that Spring brings us.
After winter months that were relentlessly grey, wet and cold, and in which my ability to ‘make’ work seemed at least waterlogged, even stuck in the mud, thankfully we’re now blessed with sunshine, warmer breezes and colour all round.
And my making is back on target, which it needs to be with my second exhibition of 2026 imminent (7 May) and another solo show beginning July 7.
Primrose, Oxlips and bluebells in the garden, with tulips close on their heels, inspired these two 12cm square collages on paper, which I promptly fixed onto white painted 20cm cradled boards, and delivered to The George Farnham Gallery, Saxmundham, for inclusion in their spring show, currently running. The image on the right illustrates how they work on their painted boards.
(I couldn’t resist adding the snail from the magic roundabout in the image on the right!! There was a shape which just said ‘snail’ to me in the abstract composition, and then there was no turning back.)
Both these small pieces say ‘juicy’ to me. And with another solo coming up I feel there’ll be more in this vein, but larger. In my new garden whose soil seems to be like rock, I will soon be planting strawberries in the raised bed I invested in. Can’t wait to enjoy the delicious red fruits.
Also looking forward to Sainfoin plants, a green manure crop which has the most bee friendly and beautiful flowers, and whose deep tap roots will help the soil structure. I’m sure these colours will press to be incorporated into work which speaks of abundance. Wild garlic and newly planted evergreen ferns will offer a green foil to these reds and lilacs.
Final note on plants and this coming to life theme relates to the planting of these ferns. The house I bought in late 2024 unfortunately had two large areas of Astroturf. Laid professionally, I thought for some time that the best I could do after its removal was spread shingle.
Overwhelmed with too much shingle though, one day I knelt down and began to explore. A few inches down, and after cutting away the thick membrane, I found grey soil. Excellent. I’m now looking forward to seeing another colourful plot take shape and thrive.
I do love plants!
Other new work which is going into the 7th May exhibition at CraftCo, Southwold (please see “Events’), includes these Southwold Harbour and beach inspired collages. Interesting to see how colour is beginning to enter these pieces too.
If you’ve read this far, thank you.
I look forward to our paths crossing at some point.
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