April 24th, 2015

Today I have had a wonderful day. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I got up early and walked the dog, took my car to the garage for two new tyres and then home for a shower, breakfast and a sort out. I sorted some paintings out in order to take them down to St Ives, for the Affordable fair in Hampstead in July. The work is going with Paul Fry of Badcocks, Penzance. I had a great chat, as always with Paul, briefly met some one new and then popped off with Bobo to St Ives to see Sam Bassetts show at the Millennium. We then parked at Porthmeor and went for a quick, misty and damp walk towards St Just, then back again, off to the Penwith gallery quickly to see the NSA group show. So all was nice, damp but just wonderful.

The weather was damp and getting worse as I travelled nearer to Trewidden studios where Paul's studio is. I parked up and launched immediately into a wonderful chat about art, process, confidence, audience, the importance or unimportance of all of the above and then I left. Chatted to another artist who was seeking the warmth of someone else's studio while also taking a break from the aroma of oils in her studio. I said my goodbyes and headed off towards St Ives. I parked up and headed to the Millennium. Briefly said hi to Joe and headed upstairs. I have bought a few of Sam's work before, so I am a huge fan but oddly had no expectations. Walking into the first room I felt at home...it felt like this work was made especially for that moment, that space in time and for that part of Sam's life. It came across as a reflection, a reaction, illustration of his life over the past 12 months or so. The curation was spot on, and the work grew in confidence as I walked round. It was almost like if I turned round or blinked the work wouldn't be there, because it was that moment that it was meant for only... and the oddest feeling in retrospect. A punctuation of his life, something to move forward from. I felt emotional leaving the gallery, which added to my feeling of 'wonderful' while walking through town and into the Vintage store for a coffee. A quick pause, assessment of my experience and a luxury of time and space away from the day to day. I then rushed back to the car with two minutes to spare on my ticket, moved the car to Porthmeor where the sea was calm, a small wave with one surfer enjoying the schmizzle and perfect longboard waves. We headed up the coast path into the mist. Bo off the lead, me enjoying the freedom of a new head space and a visual sorbet. It was like the world was opening up and my previously dulled senses had cleared and I could see ahead, further than before.

Connection, the honest connection I feel with the world around me, in my immediate environment. The journey is as important, and it would seem more enjoyable than, the destination. The faces you meet along the way, the textures and colours you experience in transit, it's all part of the whole picture of how we live life, and I have missed the contrast of other worlds teaching me this. Just facing a different way, walking the other way round is all it takes. I have enjoyed the connections today and feel deeply fulfilled for the first time in what seems a lifetime and with such simple happenings. Where will I be next time?