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Nothing about figs today; I was going to start a close-up study of one, both visually and in painted form but it was not to be. No beetroot juice in the supermarket meant that I left without wandering and so forgot my fig mission. Darn it; mission reattempted tomorrow.

I did notice another strange little coincidence earlier; having spent the last few days thinking about and researching Bakst for his wonderful costume sketches ( the word 'sketches' hardly suffices when they are that good) I noticed in a *doh* moment that the postcard I bought over the summer and stuck on my pinboard is...a Bakst sketch. Was my train of thought drawn gradually to Bakst due to the image stuck in my head from my studio wall or is it, gasp, destiny? I don't believe this for a minute but it is odd how things seem to lead you by the nose in a cetain direction; I seem to always be having that conversation with Ritchie. As a fellow artist he has the same need to explain himself and his directions and inspirations; I think it reassures us that we are doing 'the right thing' when we branch out along a particular course of artistic action. Not that we always really want to listen - its a sounding block producing an echo of our thoughts.

Passed on the amazing image of the city of Jodhpur that I found in the Sunday supplement today; I may yet find a use or an outlet for it in my own work, but it was certainly glaringly suggestive of Ritchie's layered buildings and cityscapes. I always enjoy looking at any new colours and ideas, both in his work and scrap-book cuttings he has dug up; it feels like the art school experiences that were positive and good. Not many of them at the end of the day so the revisited version is very pleasant; maybe I would have been able to go back as a mature student and have the confidence and skill to get something out of it had I gone later...? not really worth worrying about though. Hoping to get some worktime at the Edinburgh Printmakers next year and see where I can go with my patterns with the help of a fully equipped studio and some tuition. Very cool.

Wonderful inconsistency reared its head today too; having got my head around the idea that I am in effect blogging to the entire world, should it decide to log in and take a peek, I was disturbed to find a work colleague asking for 'friend' status on Facebook. *Yikes* real people I know reading my stuff - scary! It is strange the tricksy little ways of the internet; I am fascinated to gather connections to people in India, America, Russia, that I will probably never meet (maybe that's the point) but horrified by someone I could bump into face to face knowing my inner thoughts about figs and the nature of coincidence. I think its a school thing; my knee jerk reaction to anything involving social events, gathering of colleagues and the like is still to run and hide... experiences do stay with you and my school experiences were not the most positive.

Someone mentioned their high school reunion the other day and how comic it was seeing all the old people; big neon sign flashed up in my brain saying 'Defintion of Hell'. That said I would have no idea if my school ever held a reunion as I hope I have run far and fast not to see it turning the corner, Road Runner style, coming after me...

Development of the day; I am now officially working for Ritchie as his artist-in-gallery on Sunday afternoons; employed to drink tea and paint for four hours a week. A small step but mine own, and I shall relish it; met a lovely lady in the gallery today who is trying to rediscover her art after a long period away - I'm guessing kids etc got in the way - hope she returns so I can hear more of her story. There seem to be many of us women in this generation who have questioned not only our position in the home (that I saw described beautifully recently as the 'angel of the house') but also the need to climb the corporate or office ladder for its questionable rewards. Wish her well and hope she pops in again; it is good to cross pollinate ideas and stories.

Back to the studio now to continue on my 'Angel Haven' piece, although I think it may just end up called 'Haven' as it is the boats that are sheltering, not the angel. Coming on well though, fingers crossed; perfect night for it too - rain hammering down and pitch black. Cup of tea time.