Angel Haven

Day kicked off in good 'seize the moment' fashion with an early alarm to rouse me for planting duties at cashdayjob, where I had volunteered to create hanging baskets; my input was fifty percent due to my love of planting and fifty to do with the total lack of interest or positivity shown by my fellow staff members. See the trap I fell into there? Negativity about co-workers' negativity. I rest my case; even this calm little centre of the world can be driven to frustration by the collective pessimism of fellow humans.

A fellow human did come bearing gifts, however; a much appreciated charity shop find of a book entitled 'Phantoms and Fairies from Norwegian folklore'. Comes resplendent with a cover fashioned in collage from unknown paper/textile elements depicting a giant smiley bat (who may or may not be wearing a nappy) and a more traditionally depicted witch on broomstick. Inside some of my favourite things; woodblock illustrations, leading me once again to realise that I must shift my ass down to Edinburgh Printmakers post haste and realise my dream of working in this most ancient and fascinating media. I kid not when I say that I think my destiny as an artist lies with the humble print block. I have become obsessed with my potatoes since I discovered their use in my pictures and can only dream of what inner depths will be plumbed when I find how to work a woodblock; I just know I will enjoy it and what places it takes me artistically.

One of the phantoms/fairies in the book that caught my eye straight away is the Nisse. This is mainly because it was my grandfather's nickname; when I was born shortly after his passing his widow remarked 'Just like Nisse' due to my small, wrinkled state. My grandfather was a tiny, smily, wrinkly man in all the photos I ever saw of him, so I can only imagine that he sprang that way from the earth. The Nisse of legend is, funnily enough, a small wrinkly little troll like creature that helps out secretly on the farms of Norway; but get this - 'it was thought that the nisses were the fallen angels that are referred to in the bible'. Woh, I am the grandchild of a fallen angel; doesn't get much cooler than that.

Back down at Ritchie Collins gallery in Leith today where I am soon hopefully going to take up the Sunday 'artist in residence' slot, painting and gallery-sitting from 12-4 on a Sunday. Dream job really, and pure luck as it is only this week that the girl who was set up for it backed out and left the vacancy. Ritchie is very into folklore as well and was mentioning this in relation to my new book, which I was proudly clutching. He loves the story about princes turned into swans; I can never remember the particulars but I know I read and loved it as a child. We were also convening on the subject of our joint show in November; he has another solo show before it so it nose to the grind now to complete work for both; nothing but admiration for the work ethic he has when it comes to painting. I long for the time to spend on it like that; soon, soon...

Title is now decided as 'Angel Haven' which I love for the sound of it and its connotations with the harbour and sanctuary; fits Leith perfectly too. Private view will be November 19th which is also perfect as I am still a big fan of the number nine as it is the most auspicious number in Thailand, a place for which I have a deep affection and fear I will not return to for a few years yet. I am happy with the timescale I have to complete all the work I have in mind for the show, and have just commissioned the frames for the last six pieces; there may be a few more added towards the time limit, but that is the main bulk organised.

This is totally irrelevant but I love the way things crop up when you are looking for something else; watched the film 'Three Burials' last night for the Mexican scenes, which have fantastic colour and light, as well as a great bar with fairy lights and a 'window on the desert' that I love. Watching the credits we realised that one of the characters is played by Levon Helm, who is an amazing 70-something country/americana singer and songwriter whose music we love. Just love the guy's crazy voice and he has one of the best album opening bars in my collection on 'Dirt Farmer.'

Away to paint angels once more, with thoughts of the Norwegian nisse and Mexican fairies intertwining in my mind now that the (stupidly disproportionate) stress of hanging baskets has left it clear for creation!