So Tired

I suffer terribly from fatigue, as part of the fibromyalgia package. No amount of sleep, healthy eating, vitamins, magic potions or yoga can fix it. The frustration is insurmountable. It restricts me daily and is a constant fight against my own body. Ive had to leave my part-time job due to the fatigue. It is not fun falling asleep while other people are in the room or trying to talk to you. And driving, that is an anxiety filled ride that is best to be avoided when things are really bad. it effects my speech, cognitive abilities and has turned me into a simple mess.

I don't know which is worse the chronic pain or the fatigue. Probably the latter as it makes everything worse.

I took the above image yesterday with my phone and then added the text, in some way trying to purge the tiredness and share my frustration via my Instagram.
 It seems the Instagram algorithm has me more hidden than ever, not that many would get it, but it is nice in some way to think that someone out there might understand.

Nesting Pain

 New drawing based on a drawing from my sketchbook-pain diary

'Nesting Pain,' 2022, mixed-media drawing (pencil, pressed flowers)

drawing from the pain diary

Harpies

 From my little sketchbook, drawings to pass the time at work at the gallery....

lil' sketcy

 

Observations after the Storm

Ode to a Cat

Last week I had to say good bye to my beloved cat Bw after her long battle with respiratory illnesses.

Bw was my first friend and companion after moving back to Ireland. We took her in after she got sick and needed tlc, a former yard cat, our fates were sealed when after bringing her home I placed her on my bed and she immediately weed on it, a result of a long journey from the vets and nervousness. Hence the name B.W, Bed Wetter, or as my father nicknamed her, Bloody Wicked. 

Wicked she was not, one of the most loving creatures I have come across. When I spent a year shut away painting and preparing for my first solo exhibit she kept me company, always watching me, looking for attention and tearing up papers.

She was always around, would go for walks, keep me company in the studio, and would greet me when I came home. 

She would not and could not be ignored.

In this post I have attached many images of photos, prints, sketches, sewing, and even a polaroid, in no particular order, featuring BW; she has cropped up many times over the years in my work and notebooks.

In my art I work with what I love, it comes from me, I loved BW and she appears directly and indirectly in various projects.

I find lately that art has become very disconnected, it is so minimal and cold. Sometimes I feel artists have lost  touch with their selves, they are so concerned with the big idea, the political, making a point, loosing heart and the everyday audience.

Maybe we all need to go back to basics, every once and awhile and touch base with what is around us, what we love, and what made us, then maybe the aloof abstract ideas will be stronger and our hearts a little lighter.

Headless Horseman

This handsome fellow was found outside today, an old lead figurine. I hope to use him in a body of work I am trying to get going on.

Fishes

I seem to spend a lot of time going through the newspapers and cutting out images, stories and bits of text that catch my eye. This image and the rest below are the results of my endless cutting and collecting. The text added is from whatever comes to mind at the time.

* Collage image from sketchbook; Newspaper image of helmeted port of London Authority police carrying out an annual test of life jackets, 1935

No More Flowers

* collage from sketchbook

Carpet

* Mixed-media image from my sketchbook

The Wind

The wind here is non stop, it has a way of getting into your skull and behind your eyes. The house is rattling and the trees are bent double. It's as if the ocean waves are continuously crashing down on my head.

Collage from my sketchbook, * Painting; 'Inmates at the Salpetriere asylum in Paris in 1795,' by Tony Robert-Fleury

Little House on the Wallpaper

I have always admired fellow student in sculpture and their skill at breaking down ideas and creating work in its minimalist form, as well as other artists that can make something beautiful out of so little. It is definitely a skill and one I envy. If I could I would do a degree in sculpture.
Below are some images from my sketchbook. I collected wallpaper and such from old house. I just want to go into abandoned house and without being picky take bits of lino, wallpaper or even old newspaper and place them on blank canvases or paper. I know if someone else did this it would be so beautiful and amazing but when I think about it or set out to do it, it seems silly. I will have to get over that one I think. I did do a little drawing of a house over one bit of paper and really liked the results. I love working with the idea of the home and house.