Some periods are so humdrum and mundane that I question if I have progressed in any way other than the development of a couple of extra crows feet. Things are frozen in a way as a fearsome hangover from the chaos of the summer. September and October began in a predictable manner..staccato work schedule ensued as I tried to install some kind of system alongside children returning to school. Sometimes I think systems and organisation are a futile effort as I inevitably breakdown and return to my paint stained and unwashed paintbrush in hair mould.

Sheen Falls, Kenmare, Co. Kerry — Sheen Falls, Kenmare, Co.Kerry

I got to have my first experience of a panel Q&A in Sheen Falls with Gormleys Gallery in early September. The most engaging part for myself was listening to the other artists responses. Being a painter in a day to day level can be very isolating and I love to hear how different artists approach their days and routines. I am almost perverted about other peoples routines - especially artists. I am very envious of those that can enter a studio in the morning and leave at 6. Currently this is an inpracticable scenario for me with the demands of children but i hope to one day have this ability. It does feel closer as time goes by.

I managed to get away to London for Freize and that gave me a much needed inhale. I was completely captivated for the most part by the standard in the main tent. I would have gravitated to the Freize Masters tent for some refuge from the overwhelm of the young art provocateurs in the Freize London tent but I got to see it during a lull and was so amazed by a few artists in particular- most notably Sarah Ball at Stephen Friedman and Saskia Colwell at Victoria Miro. Sarah Ball uses coloured pencil in such a delicate way that mimics the palette of her oil paintings of mostly womens faces. I was so struck by her lucid vision and unique almost dreamlike weaving of perfect faces. It was like magic to look at up close. Like a fashion editorial without the crassness of being fashionable. Saskia Colwell similarly uses charcoal and charcoal powder on vellum to similar hazy effect. Her subject matters are provocative but beautiful in their rendering.

Sarah Ball, Stephen Freidman Gallery, Freize 2025

Sasha Colwell, Victoria Miro, Freize 2025

Peter Doig curated exhibition in McGlynns pub

We stopped by Peter Doig’s exhibition in the pub he bought in Kings Cross. It is soon to be reimagined by the artist. I think he plans to install a gastronomic pub in the place of McGlynns with a studio and gallery across the road. We ventured through a precarious setup to find some really striking work by photographers and artists I had not heard of up until that point. The art was hung on beds scaffolding and in toilets. To see such a juxtaposition was jarring at first but I suppose that was the statement in itself.

At home I continue to work away on a large commission in between grafting for a larger collection. For somebody who struggles to unload a dishwasher without getting distracted it’s very important that I employ a degree of organisation or things fall apart half way through. Most artists need time to stew with themselves and percolate ideas before getting stuck in to large undertakings. The temptation personally is to thunder through because I get possessed by energy before I even have semblance of inspiration or ideas. It is an affliction that both helps and hinders…tbc

Autumn

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