Pen Nerd

There is a pen nerd in most artists, I imagine; or at least a 'materials nerd'. The wonder of a new tool with which to ploy your craft is possibly even more enticing than a blank piece of paper/canvas/board (delete as applicable). Today a tiny envelope plopped through my door and after the ritual chewing from Twig I was able to handle and wonder at a mini-selection of the wonders to be had at cultpens.com. Some standard Ing favourites, the Papermate Flexigrip (and I know I am not alone in this by the amount of potential stealers) in blue and black; button ended, although I also dig the ones with a lid. Also a clicky pencil which - I believe is know as propelling in the real world - and a turquoise biro! Wonder upon wonder. The star of the show and the reason for my internet purchase (Edinburgh art shops hang your heads in shame) was the sepia biro refil, to fit my lovely Papermate old fashioned school pen. Okay, a minor disappointment was in store when I found that, whilst ball-tipped, the ink is a little freer running than your average biro and so would I guess be filed under 'ballpen', but it is still of the colour and freeness of line that I so desired for my latest painting and hopefully many more interesting drawings. Spent this afternoon like a total saddo with three pens of different colour and use stuck to the neck of my latest painting t-shirt. All shirts are destined to one day become painting shirts; all it takes is one step over the line, one slip of the brush and the path has begun.

Still on my old sketch book - the other painter-geek product I purchased on the strength of a couple of sales was a new and very cool book for my day to day drawing - it even has one of those little book mark strings! I bet there is a word for them in publishingn world.

Alas, even my shiny new toys were hopeless in the face of a serious attack of the procrastinations, but a few shopping trips, some light tidying and cat feeding later and I am finally attacking with relish the first outing of my new pens, currently buried under a layer of acrylic and beginning to show through tantalisingly.

Popped into the framers to pick up a frame I am recycling with a new slip inserted and realised that they back on Greyfriars Kirkyard; one of those 'how long have I been in this city and never set foot in it' locations. Great old graves and a very stony view of the Old Town towards the castle; very peaceful considering the legions of visitors swarming the city now. Couldn't help but smile at the waiters looking disconsolately at the glorious sun which was for once bathing the city; too many Festivals under my waiting-apron belt I am afraid and very glad not to be once more in the fray this year.

A day to keep it short and sweet I think before blogging tips into procrastination territory! Away to the studio, new pens a-waving; after a quick trip to Tesco for cat food...

This is like a PPS: how to end the day on a high; sitting waiting for the photo to upload to my blog I was treated to a little dance on my fence right outside by a teeny wren who I am sure weighed in at far less than my biro.