Cosy painting paws

Pinching a quote from Alec Downie, a FB friend:

'Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye... it also includes the inner pictures of the soul'

Edvard Munch.

This really does it for me; I spend many circular conversations with my mum trying to explain why I paint things out of my head that make no sense in financial or logical terms or (often) any other way, instead of painting the view from my window. I am always happy to find a confirmation that I am not alone or deluded. Visited the craft and design fair at the Assembly Rooms today and found more interesting makers and artists; one I was already in contact with in cyberspace and another who I have served in cashdayjob and didn't realise was a maker of very good decorative and practical fabric bags. It always gives me a lift to meet and talk to new contacts in the art and design world, it really is a different place to inhabit and we all share the same worries, concerns, enthusiasms.. at the end of the day most 'creatives' have a lot of mutual ground. Beginning to have hope that next year will see the final move away from being tied to another form of income; the problem is in making the leap, but I know that the more time I have, the stronger the likelihood that I will be successful. I could fanny about for another decade trying to fit my painting in around hours spent making money in a very inefficient way, or.... I can jump. At least there are two of us, and Stu is just itching to get on with his framing now; I am beginning to see the benefits of a chef/framer; I may have to hire him out to the artistic community by the hour..

The rest of the day was spent in Ritchie's gallery, where sadly business was not as brisk as I had hoped - most people out and about seemed to be in town or having long brunches in the various eating establishments in Leith. Don't blame the latter section, it had to be said; Princes St and George Street were a horror to behold on my way back.

Besides getting on very well with the big canvas I am working on (not huge, just the biggest to date and a lot larger than the wee angels I have been involved with) I also spent some quality time perusing Ritchie's 'Taschen' book of portraits. Leonardo, Durer, Raphael... yikes, they could draw! I know that's stating the bleedin' obvious but it is always good to have a look at some pictures with 'fresh eyes' and I was in the mood for learning today. A new and welcome addition from the craft fair was my new long fingerless gloves which provide maximum draught exclusion from cuff while allowing fingers free for painting. No more freezy fingers! Took Stu in to work at half seven this morning so I am in need of an early night... may manage some more painting during the week, fingers crossed.