Like many of you I am wondering how we are now in this first, sunny week of July and pondering where the first half of the year has gone
Having reached a significant birthday last Novemeber I promised myself a quieter, more considered year, with time to develop new work, spend more time walking and drawing.... of course due to one thing and another being a self employed maker of beautiful things, my work has instead pulled me in other directions with unexpected and interesting opportunities arising and scant time left around running my business to attend to the more leisurely side of life
It is now approaching 3 years since I gave up a fabulous job in Higher Education to spend a little more time on my business and follow up those other opportunites. One of my goals was to be able to travel to longer shows (many of the 2 and 3 day ones require an extra day for travel and set up which I just could not fit around my professional role) and this year my dreams have been joyfully filled with visits to some wonderful events at Petworth House, Highclere Estate, and of course my favourite RHS Gardens Harlow Carr and Rosemoor. One day I will sort through the many photographs I have taken and compile a book of them as they continue to be a source of great pleasure and inspiration
Closer to home we have had our annual Snowdrop Weekend which attracts an international audience, and a new event in my favourite local City of Wells, where the Bishop's Palace hosted a fun Country Fair. I zipped out with my camera in the evening and managed to capture a serene moment before the event began, and counted my lucky stars to live near such a beautiful place
Over the years of attending these lovely shows I have made many friends with fellow artists and designer makers, event organizers, and of course the many wonderful visitors who come along too which all makes for a great opportunity to socialize and to celebrate the endeavours of all our creativity
Naturally, there are those of you who live much further afield that I have not been able to meet in person. However over the years of our writing to each other and receiving your kind and generous messages, new friendships have been made and have brought so much unexpected warmth and comfort to my life (which can sometimes be quite solitary!). It has been a pleasure finding common ground with like minded souls scattered as we are around this beautiful spinning globe where we each have our own small place, and I so appreciate and value these connections
As the saying goes rust never sleeps and half of the year has flown by just like that. I have a few more Summer shows which will be updated shortly on my Events page, then must turn my attention to listing the Autumn and Winter pieces; however with the sun in the sky and the Blackbirds heralding from the Birches in my garden (awaiting their lunchtime bowl of fruit and berries) those thoughts can wait for another day... for now let us enjoy these bright and sunny months!
Maggie x