A New Year

A New Year?

It has been so long since I have written anything I was beginning to think it might be another year before I found the motivation to do another post.

I have wanted to many times but I just felt that I had nothing to say worth reading.

Life has just been continuing in a way that is normal [for me]

and I have just felt "who wants to read about this"?

But I suppose that a lot has been going on and perhaps I should have mentioned different things.

I certainly know that the blogs that I enjoy reading are just about peoples daily life.

A life that you think by reading you are a part of.

So, at last here is a little "catch up" on a little of my life and what has happened.

Of course we have had that small event called Christmas that has happened.

I am never prepared for it in the gallery or at home.

But certainly in the gallery there were lots of changes and new additions

so here are a few of them, even though most of them have now left us for new homes

We have had new sculptures from Sue Claire, my favourite being the life size 'Cheetah'.

This was the first sculpture of hers that I fell in love with

but it has taken time and a lot of persuasion to get her to part with it

But at last at the start of December she called and asked

"would you still like to have the Cheetah as now I am prepared to part with it".

Days later it was on display

Days later it had gone.

It really is beautiful and with such a sad expressive face, I am only showing the face because

it captivated so many people, including myself.

Then I had them delivery of many new paintings by

Rob Van Hoek.

He occasionally sends me pictures of his new works, for no reason other than for my comments.

Two recent paintings I became obsessed with so I asked 

"could I have them"?

Unfortunately they were destined for an exhibition.

Even more unfortunately for the gallery involved Rob sent them to me instead.

His art has had a fantastic response, and needless to say his gamble with us was well founded.

Of course I would say that wouldn't I.

But its true.

To my very great delight and pleasure we also had a delivery of ceramics from one of my greatest

ceramic heroines Louise Gardelle.

Here is a small sample of those we received.

Although I can honestly say we have never had a bad pot from her, these are perhaps the best

we have ever had.

The quality of the glazing and decoration is wonderful.

Like many times before I put aside those that I intended to keep for myself.

Then as usual I decided that I couldn't justify that as we are supposed to exhibit the best,

So I did.

Bugger me, guess what?

Those I wanted to keep, they all sold

Still we still have many others remaining, and the one thing that I have learnt is that we all like different things.

And sometimes, just sometimes, I am not always right about what is the best

[that hurt me to admit that].

We also had the most wonderful sculpture by my friend Rachel.

This really tortured me as I was determined to have it for myself, I loved it so much.

Fortunately I was saved as it was purchased by another good friend.

So the dilemma was taken away from me.

But

She has promised to send a replacement

[so my torture can start again]

So now I am giving thought and planning for the coming year

Of course very much on my mind is the exhibition by the photographer Asher Svidensky

with the sculptor Sandra Courlivant

'The Eagle Hunter'

But my thoughts and plans go far beyond and before this as I have so many ideas

that are still in the planning and thought stage

[many get stuck there]

A couple of exhibitions [one 5 years in the planning] are confirmed

These I will talk of as the year progresses, meanwhile there are those that are still in my mind.

I hope that these will move a step closer when I visit Paris next week.

They involve an artist and a sculptor

Both French

[that's why they are in Paris]

Agnes Boulloche and Elisabeth Dupin-Sjostedt.

With luck I will tell more of that after my trip to France, which I confess I am a little nervous about

I don't think my "mange tout et petit pois"

understanding of the language will get me very far, but of course I can always throw in the occasional

"merde".

That should wow them and convince them that I am a true native

[or an idiot who can't speak any French].

It goes without saying

that also in the coming year I hope and desire to be showing more art by my very best

French friend

Anne Bachelier.

Her paintings and drawings are like a drug that I can't give up.

So, Anne please feed my "habit".

Anne has been a little unwell recently, but yesterday she sent me some photographs

which must mean that she is feeling better.

The photographs were taken from her garden at Christmas.

That is what you call a Chritmas Photograph.

Meanwhile at the same time here in Long Melford, this is a photograph of our December landscape.

It features the bridge behind the gallery which leads to the land of many adventures.

At least that is what our dogs regard it as

To them I think it is the bridge to "neverland".

The most amazing thing, is that not only is it December but on the other side of the stream that is a barley field

What is happening?

Leaves on trees and barley in December!

Unreal but true.

It looks like July and is not very festive.

But at least it is cold.

It all makes me think that this is going to be a very different year,

good but different.

I hope that the readers of this blog have a really good year.

Remember, the best times are still to happen.