I know I missed last week’s Monday Night Inspiration – not entirely sure why, but I think last week was a bit of a strange one. On one hand, I had some brilliant moments – a possible opportunity of a lifetime, going to see an art exhibition, reading good books, celebrating Burns night with Haggis and Scotch whiskey, cooking lots of yummy food. At the same time, I’ve felt quite low – again whether this is is because of insomnia or just general blues, I don’t know. All I know though is that I’ve got a lot to be thankful for, and there is so much to look forward to that there’s just no point feeling down. This week is going to be a good week – on Wednesday Dan and I will have been together for 11 years, so on Friday we’re going out to eat for a celebration. On Wednesday I’m going to bake some cupcakes from Cake Days by the Hummingbird Bakery – the first time I’ve used this cookbook, which I received for Christmas. Mocha cupcakes!
I’m going to finish my first novel this week. I’m determined to do it. It was meant to be done by the end of January, but I’m not going to be down about it because lets face it, a novel is hard work and it’s difficult to even just show up each day at the computer or desk ready to work. The cold weather has been off putting when it comes to working at my desk – and all I’ve felt like doing is curling up somewhere and reading. I know if I do that, though, that I’ll kick myself for not making any effort to work. I guess it’s difficult as a writer when you love books so much that there’s always that guilt that you’re not doing enough writing and spending too much time reading. Maybe I need to strike a balance somehow.
My parents and I went to a BSL talk before going to see the David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy on Friday night. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you can go to BSL or Lipspeaking talks for £3 per deaf person and if you have a hearing companion, they go for free. The exhibition was amazing – a lot of the canvases were huge and took my breath away with the colour he uses. He kind of sees things differently – so much colour in places where most people see varying shades of grey and muddy browns. I know that the full price tickets for the Royal Academy are hugely expensive, and I don’t think we could manage it if we didn’t have such a big concession. It does annoy me that art can be quite unattainable sometimes because of massive ticket prices. Art is one of the biggest pleasures in life, and I feel that everyone should be able to access it.
This is why platforms like Tumblr are so incredible because on a ground-roots level, people can access art, illustration and photography. Although certain things are not accessible because of copyright laws, I feel that Tumblr has the capacity to bring art to people who might not be able to go to an art exhibition. It can only do more for an artist to be appreciated by more people. Its such a visual medium, and has a lot of possibility.
I hope you had a good Monday – and if you didn’t – it’s over now!
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~ Pablo Picasso
Cats and Chocolate 