November/December 2009

Hello all.  Just a quick check in, another update and another thank you to all the folks who braved a cold November night to come and see me at Whitewall Gallery in Newcastle. It was a lovely evening made special, as ever, by you. Big thanks especially to the team who created my own personal bunting, the magnificent gingerbread castle  and all the special hand made cakes, chocolates and gingerbread men in Y-fronts.

I was serenaded by a pair of fabulous ladies with their own customised version of ‘the twelve days of christmas’, featuring 12 titles or figures from my old paintings…and I was presented with 12 special pressies – one for each day!  It’s not often I can’t find words…but I was very chuffed and spoiled rotten.  What a great gals, thank you Susan and Joan and Charlotte.

In other news – I can’t believe it… I finally get the keys to my new home on Friday 4th! It’s an end to the world of other people’s spare rooms and carrier bags of dirty socks in the car.  Of course, I’m sure my old people will be equally pleased, especially as they can now go back to their strange habits in peace.  I will  miss the spectacle of watching the lawn being ’sawed’ to achieve a straight edge or the building of a pensioner’s hot tub in the greenhouse (made from an old 1000 gallon water drum), to say nothing of the interesting dinner party held recently where couples had to share plates, as there weren’t enough matching ones…and anyway, it saves washing up….

My poor mother may or may not miss my naughty tortoisehell cat, Bettykitten.   She loves to ‘do’ hair and her speciality is a nice wash and backcomb.  However, a few days ago, I noticed mother’s long hair looking artfully dishevelled after Betty’s efforts but also disturbingly short in places on top of her head…..almost like our cat had been ‘removing’ her hair.  There have since been reports that some of this ‘missing’ hair has been found laid around their house.   I’ve blamed a lack of vitamins and will swiftly remove Betty to her new home. In the meantime, I am painting this spectacle as it couldn’t go unrecorded.

On the subject of my new residence,  I hope to open a private viewing  gallery over the next few months and anyone who would like to see some of my original paintings in the flesh will be able to arrange this by appointment only.  I’ll keep you updated on progress.

Till then, I hope you have a peaceful December, don’t get harassed by Christmas shopping, save on the expense and wasteful packaging by knitting your loved ones some warm winter bloomers.

Love, SJ