Giving up
....sometimes it's just so sad when you realise it's time to give up constantly trying to do things that will never work 
Red Writer on 11.29.04 @ 05:04 PM gmt [link]
Monday, November 29th
Friday, November 26th
Creativity rules
Another successful day at college leaves me feeling happy and content. Even better was the opportunity to carry on painting until late in the evening, meaning I finished two paintings today and means I have at least a few things to show my mentor when I meet with her next week. The stained glass is almost all leaded now and should be finished by the end of term. I had a few problems with pieces popping out as soon as I put one bit in another would slip out of place but I got round that with a bit of advice from my tutor by starting to solder some of the main bits in place. (It's the curves that make it difficult. Perhaps I should have designed something more simple for a first piece!).
I've started thinking about Christmas and looking for inspiration for presents on the web. I found this Red the Cat site which seemed appropriate for me. I now wish I had managed to get into the ceramics class this year. This would be a great present for my father-in-law. I think amazon will get it's usual hit from me but I did have a look at last minute.com and was a bit surprised to see that no.2 on the best sellers list was this - maybe SO would like it!! I really want this so that I can make Christmas look the way it always is in my head but probably won't be. Even better is that it's slippery when wet! It would be great to put it in the garden on Christmas morning. OOooohhhhh just spotted this too, it's an updated version of mine but looks so much better. This is turning into an expensive evening!!
Red Writer on 11.26.04 @ 11:46 PM gmt [link]
Thursday, November 25th
End of another
Well, it's the end of another week for me and it's not been a great one. (Another major moan about to begin....you have been warned)
Red Writer on 11.25.04 @ 06:42 PM gmt [more..]
Saturday, November 20th
"Our life is what our thoughts make it." Marcus Aurelius
Today my thoughts told me to carry on with my art. Do the work which makes me happy and avoid everything else. Of course that was not very practical so I didn't really do that and did many of the things which end up making me very unhappy. But I did go shopping and bought a manual adaptor for the OM10 and more developing paper. Then I passed the art shop and 'had' to go in and stock up on more paint (despite not needing any!). Even bought Christmas cards but felt guilty because I should have been making them myself. This afternoon I attempted to paint but for some reason I never quite got on with it. I still like the work I did yesterday, more importantly (to me) so does SO, which is probably a first for the work I do at college... I'm not quite sure what to make of that. He wants it framed and put on the wall!!!! It is very reassuring to know people like some of the things you do. That's a nice feeling and a thought I'm holding onto. If our life is really what our thoughts make it then I'm desperately trying to stay with those happy thoughts. Along with others like.......well lots of other nice thoughts that make me the nice person I am.
Red Writer on 11.20.04 @ 06:51 PM gmt [link]
Friday, November 19th
Classes
A morning of cutting glass, preparing my board and stretching the lead was very satisfactory. I love the sound of a clean score across the glass. It is most satisfying. Even more so when the glass snaps exactly where you want it with a clean crisp break. I was working on the leading today and as this is my first full piece it was both frustrating and absorbing. I have a lot to learn...
Red Writer on 11.19.04 @ 11:10 PM gmt [more..]
Sunshine
It is amazing how the weather affects so many things....
Red Writer on 11.19.04 @ 01:14 PM gmt [more..]
Wednesday, November 17th
Who are the "dozy" ones?
Ok so I have a suspicious mind - but this seems an innocuous way to block any coastguard activity if you're bringing in illegal drugs. Think I would have tried a bit harder to find that "dozy" fisherman - very astute if you ask me!
Red Writer on 11.17.04 @ 12:28 PM gmt [link]
Sporting loss
It was sad to hear that Rod McLeod, sports cartoonist had died. He had a unique way of capturing the nations thoughts.
Red Writer on 11.17.04 @ 09:38 AM gmt [link]
Tuesday, November 16th
James Bond
"Super-spy James Bond is born today in 1924. After a rebellious school career, the half-Swiss/half Scots Bond attends Cambridge University before joining the Royal Navy and latterly, the British Secret Service. Although now aged 80, the unstoppable Bond shows no sign of slowing down due to his ability to magically transfer himself into the bodies of various younger men such as Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan." The Scotsman 16.11.04
It is rumoured that the next in line after Brosnan might be Ewan MacGregor or Dougray Scott. Not sure how I feel about those. I really can't see MacGregor in that role unless he grows a bit and looses a few pounds. If the talent scouts are reading, how about Jamie Theakston? I think he'd be great.
Red Writer on 11.16.04 @ 08:51 AM gmt [link]
Sunday, November 14th
Remembrance
So long as there are men there will be wars
Albert Einstein
Red Writer on 11.14.04 @ 11:48 AM gmt [link]
Wednesday, November 10th
Artists at War
I was at the opening of the ECA Summer School exhibition last night. It was great to see that the college had finally 'allowed' the summer school some gallery space (first time) - albeit only until Saturday! It is a fairly small exhibition but I think it more than proves that the students attending the summer school produce work worthy of exhibiting and to a high standard. More art news.....
Red Writer on 11.10.04 @ 09:20 AM gmt [more..]
Tuesday, November 9th
Emlyn Hughes Dies at 57
I'm not into football. I don't like watching it. But I did like Emlyn Hughes and 57 is not old.
Red Writer on 11.09.04 @ 10:41 AM gmt [link]
Monday, November 8th
Weekend is over
The weekend is over again, all too soon. It was another weekend of partying and socialising. Last week we had a friend round on Saturday night and as it was halloween I carved a pumpkin. The kids were being sociable too and it was nice to spend an evening where they joined us, adults behaving like children, drinking too much and enjoying the very childish peanut throwing food fight!
Red Writer on 11.08.04 @ 09:09 AM gmt [more..]
Sunday, November 7th
Things Fall Apart
..and then they work out again. Or so it would seem with my artwork. Friday's classes were good, positive and productive. After almost slicing the tips of my fingers off in stained glass, I realised that gloves are mandatory for selecting desired pieces from the vertically stacked pile.
Red Writer on 11.07.04 @ 06:28 PM gmt [more..]
Thursday, November 4th
White Buffalo Calf
“It was told that next time there is chaos and disparity, she would return again. She said she would return as a White Buffalo Calf. Some believe she already has.”
This is about as much as the US can hope for now. There are a few interesting quotes in the link which Mr Bush should be mindful of:
"White Buffalo Calf Woman instructed them to be responsible caretakers of the land and to be always mindful that the children are the future of the people."
"...Later she appeared as White Buffalo Calf Woman to a young warrior whose troubled heart yearned for a good future for the children, a future without the prospect of continual war and divisiveness, a future of peace. White Buffalo Calf Woman advised him "to seek the vision of a mother's heart for the love of her children". "
Obviously it's now up to women to save the world from the idiot men. Go Hilary!
Red Writer on 11.04.04 @ 08:58 AM gmt [link]
Wednesday, November 3rd
It's Close
It's so close. SO stayed up for a while until he decided the count wasn't going to be finished until well into today. He was right - as I write the final count has still not been declared. All resting on Ohio *come on Ohio*. Even a poll from all European countries wanted Bush out unanimously, so why has it come as close as this? I feel so sorry for all the Democrat voters in the US.
Red Writer on 11.03.04 @ 08:58 AM gmt [link]
Tuesday, November 2nd
Relaxing
I'm sitting eating lunch at my desk, looking at photos of beautiful, sky, sand, sea, grass in North Uist whilst listening to The wonder of it all. I am relaxed.
Red Writer on 11.02.04 @ 01:49 PM gmt [link]
Poll
Oh, and good luck America - we're counting on you to vote Kerry.
Red Writer on 11.02.04 @ 09:14 AM gmt [link]
Links
It's always nice when someone tells you they've linked to your blog so I was cheered up this morning when I got an email from Laodan. I really like the work this guy does. It also reminded me of stained glass and some of the details are not unlike the piece I am working on at the moment. So thanks Laodan for linking to my blog. I'll keep an eye on yours too.
Red Writer on 11.02.04 @ 09:06 AM gmt [link]
Monday, November 1st
Back to Work
After two weeks off work, it is with great effort that I pull myself out of bed this morning. A quick check on the scales depresses me further. There has been too much indulgence in chocolate, crisps alcohol and general grazing. I am on self impossed strict orders to give up chocolate, alcohol and crisps until the extra lb's have evened out a bit! But I do like chocolate so much and spending too much time with teenage daughters has foolishly led to me think I could partake in their eating habits too. Truth is, I can't. So bye bye chocolate
Red Writer on 11.01.04 @ 08:58 AM gmt [link]