Well, hello! What a strange few weeks it's been. My final deadline has been vanquished and handed in. I promptly collapsed with a cold and complete exhaustion and am only just feeling like myself again. For a few weeks I pottered about the cottage like a rather substantial ghost; feeling empty and devoid of any creativity. I've never been that burned out and grey-feeling before, and I hope I never am again.
I'm very, very excited about what's going to be happening next year, when *things* go live, but glad I don't have the horrid clashing timelines anymore. I've just washed up eleven months worth of paint pallettes and restored the cottage with a housework blitz. Now that my time is almost my own for a while, I hope to get out and use these; I've been meaning to try my hand at landscapes for ages and it would be nice to do some art just for the sheer pleasure of it.
As a little reward for getting my jobs finished, I treated us to these gorgeous slipware mugs by Matt Grimmit, a Cotswold potter working from Evesham. I bought mine from Cheltenham Museum, but he also has an Etsy shop. (I wanted to have the humbuggy striped one, but Andy fell in love with it, so I've got the Mediaeval green one instead).
Andy was a bit nervous about using them every day; we've killed quite a lot of china on the cottage's stone floor. But the nice thing about buying modern ceramics from a living artist is that even if the worst happens, you can still replace them. That's the theory anyway.
If only life were as easy. I had a rather nasty encounter with a relation today, a sharp reminder of why I don't *do* family (in my case they are either ineffectual or downright bad news). It's one reason why I keep myself hidden away in this quiet life, as it brought back latent feelings of anxiety and stress which I've worked for years to dispel. It quite shook me up, but it also galvanized me into getting on with things and resurfacing - just in case anyone had missed me.
I'm very, very excited about what's going to be happening next year, when *things* go live, but glad I don't have the horrid clashing timelines anymore. I've just washed up eleven months worth of paint pallettes and restored the cottage with a housework blitz. Now that my time is almost my own for a while, I hope to get out and use these; I've been meaning to try my hand at landscapes for ages and it would be nice to do some art just for the sheer pleasure of it.
As a little reward for getting my jobs finished, I treated us to these gorgeous slipware mugs by Matt Grimmit, a Cotswold potter working from Evesham. I bought mine from Cheltenham Museum, but he also has an Etsy shop. (I wanted to have the humbuggy striped one, but Andy fell in love with it, so I've got the Mediaeval green one instead).
Andy was a bit nervous about using them every day; we've killed quite a lot of china on the cottage's stone floor. But the nice thing about buying modern ceramics from a living artist is that even if the worst happens, you can still replace them. That's the theory anyway.
If only life were as easy. I had a rather nasty encounter with a relation today, a sharp reminder of why I don't *do* family (in my case they are either ineffectual or downright bad news). It's one reason why I keep myself hidden away in this quiet life, as it brought back latent feelings of anxiety and stress which I've worked for years to dispel. It quite shook me up, but it also galvanized me into getting on with things and resurfacing - just in case anyone had missed me.
32 comments:
We stock his things in my day-job's shop too: he really does make some great pieces!
'course we missed you, silly!
I missed you!
I visited your blog this afternoon, and wondered about lack of recent posts. Well done again on meeting all the deadlines, and I'm very glad to hear you're feeling better again after the greyness. Xx
Glad you have some time to recharge now. Lovely mugs and gorgeous for mulled wine when it gets chilly later on.
Enjoy yourself :)
Hello, Gretel! I really missed you these weeks! I'm glad you finished everything on time and I hope you are delighted with the final result. It will be fine if you spend your "own" time in the way your soul wants... You seem eager to paint "en plain air".. The mugs are very nice and I suppose the tea is more delicious now!:)
I'm loving the mugs! I like things with personality.
Well, I missed you! I had only begun "following" you a few weeks ago and I thought to myself, "well boo - i wish she'd post something new!"
Family & resurfacing feelings - fun, eh? You seem strong enough to rise above these things. Glad you are feeling healthy and inspired again my stranger-friend :]
So glad that you are feeling back to normal. That first picture of yours is great! Carla
PG, it's lovely to have this report from you.
I could comment back to you about every one of your paragraphs, but will try not to be too long-winded.
First of all, glad that you have completed that massive project, and hoping that your resting will little by little be restoring your energies. I work so hard and for such long hours at my job, that I have just about given up on any drawing or painting. I just don't have the "juice" left when the day off appears.
Still, I know that when I do again have more time to myself at one go, my old hands and eyes will again want to do something with a pencil, pen, crayon or brush.
Congrats on the big clean up.
As for the family stuff. I do have some of my own family stuff always hovering just a bit off stage, and so am very sympathetic to you.
Than last photo of yours is glorious. Hoping that you will soon be out and about those pathways round your area, with camera on board. Also hoping that your garden is delivering a bountiful harvest.
Best wishes! xo
I had missed you. Unfortunately, your first paragraph describes my last week perfectly. Is there anything worse than a summer cold? I haven't had an actual head cold in fourteen years, and was decidedly displeased with the experience. I'm still not back to full form, but it's so sticky hot, I'd rather be inside than out anyway.
I'm sorry to hear about your family encounter. Families can so often be downright hard. Take care of yourself!
I am glad your long slog has come to an end. Give you a chance to breathe, recharge the batteries, etc.
I love to buy art mugs and use them everyday, choosing according to my mood and desire for 'conversation' with a particular mug. Unfortunately, many potters are trying to keep costs down by making mugs with no handles - turning them into decorative but not very practicle objects. We have a shelf in the bathroom where 'post-accident, disabled art mugs' can continue to sing their songs. Yes, if only relatives could be as easily managed :)
I have missed you.
Annette R
I was getting a little concerned...
Nice mugs too. Not much good for me - too far away.
viv in nz
Love the grasshopper on the sage...... Good to hear you have finished your deadlines and have resurfaced. Time to get out and about and breath in the fresh air... :O)
Welcome back; I was on the point of emailing! Can't wait for your mysterious project to go live either.
And of course we will want to see your autumn landscapes...
Hooray for deadlines met and completed, and welcome back! I've missed your lovely musings very much. Sorry to hear about the cold and the unpleasant family, but those both seem to be bumps in the road that all of us need to pass over to get to the good things in life. Now that you're feeling better and even have your house cleaned, you're ready for a whole new surge of creative living! I can't wait to read about it. Through these blogs we share such a warm part of our lives, and your posts are like a special small jewel to discover each time. Thank you for that, and welcome back.
Glad you're getting your life back! The first photo is stunning - if you hurry you can submit it to BBC's Countryfile competition!! I rarely see/hear from my siblings .... their choice, but also their loss!! Love the mugs - yes, use them, there isn't much point in having them if you put them away in a cupboard. I must remember to take a photo of my 'vegetable garden' to send you .... a grow bag with radish, beetroot and spring onions - free seeds from a magazine. Look after yourself, love, Anne
Very nice to have you back - it was only to be expected that your immune system would go into free-fall after that much intensive work. Glad you are better .
I'm very jealous you can use your lovely big box of pastels - I was given one like that but I'm allergic to the darn things!
Families...they always know exactly where to stick the boot in for maximum effect and once again you are 12 years old - well done on rising above it.
You were definately missed ... and look forward to seeing the results of your recent 'slavery' ;-)
Oh and looking forward to what you produce with those lovely pastels ...
Rise above the family 'stuff' :-) xx
So happy for you Gretel...it has been a very long 11 months for us as well...we have missed you so much. I am looking forward to the big reveal next year and all the accolades to follow.
I love your new mugs and they look to be very comfy to handle and of a lovely size.
I just returned from a weeks vacation and I have so many great photos for you. Lots of fun blog posts planned ;-)
Your last photo of the rainbow is stunning...thanks for that!
Janet xox
congratulations on getting the work done - I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been up to.
That photo of the cricket (I think) is fabulous - well caught!
Hooray! You're back! I'm glad all went well with the 'big job' and that things are looking good for next year; you certainly deserve it!
I LOVE those mugs! Studio pottery is fab! We have a big blue-patterned bowl we bought years ago for £50-odd. We were completely skint and couldn't afford it, but every time I look at that bowl my heart sings.
Re Relatives....yup, I have an issue lurking, too....you're not alone.
Now those Pastels are just Scrummy!
Good to have you back now fit and well and look forward to hearing more about your long project - I'm intrigued! Dale :-) x
Glad to see you back. Make the most of the rest to charge up your batteries, then make some lovely artwork with your pastels!
Great to see that you have finally finished your project, I know that feeling of being completely drained of energy. You need time and T.L.C. and you will be back on top of things, just you see. x
Ive missed you loads!
So glad your back and on track again.
I have serious mug envy with your latest purchase.
Dont worry about the nasty encounter with relations i too have had an unpleasant encounter a few weeks ago, it hurts and makes you feel sick and edgy for days but it soon moves aside and you come to realise that the only people that matter are you and your little family you have created and chosen like partners friends etc.
Dont let them get the better of you, you are worth so much more than that, just look around and you'll realise that you are loved dearly,
Big Hugs Gretel
xxxx
Hi Gretel,
I wondered about you, and was going to pm to see if you're ok. Glad to see you're back blogging now!
love Penny.
x
Happy to 'see' you back on-line. Good to know you made the deadline. Looking forward to seeing your new project.
jane
glad your back, we missed you!
love
Lyn
xxx
Somehow I missed this post when it first came out. First congrats on on finishing, what a tremendous lot of work that was, as your paint palettes attest to. Rather sure by now you've recovered from burn out and relative encounter, but sending sympathies all the same.
Well done on the completion !
It's oddly inevitable that , once the pressures off , one collapses with something , as though one can finally afford to.
Hope you're recovering and can relax now , sipping something hot out of that lovely mug .
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