Hello! (sorry it's been a while, I feel as though I'm in a whirlwind at the moment!) I'm writing from Tasmania, a small town called Deloraine where I'm staying with some family. I'm part-way through a self-lead rambling artist residency. It seems to be true form that I've come up with my own title for what I'm doing, but I think it describes it well: I've so far travelled through Thailand and Tasmania, next off to Melbourne, Sydney and then Sri Lanka before returning to the UK in early April. Whilst I travel, I am drawing, painting and observing in huge amounts. Travel does wonders at giving perspective, changing my proximity to my natural state of being, locations and communities is really interesting. I'm very grateful for what I've got and I want to build more when I return to the UK.
A huge part of the trip includes research, in forms of: picking up new practical skills (wood carving, basketry), learning by making, as well as talking to other artists and taking in many art exhibitions and natural spaces. I have already begun a small collection of paintings which I aim to exhibit in some way later this year.
This is the longest trip I've ever taken and I've never been away without having everything booked first, so it's been very freeing to have a loose plan which was well thought out but still developed during my trip. I left in late January and have only just booked the last leg of my trip in Sri Lanka. Making art and travel have always been huge priorities of mine, so it has been great to act with them in mind and really follow what I am drawn to.
I feel that there's so much to say, and yet actually not so many words. I've been in a very reflective state for the past few weeks, and find I don't always feel a need to say much at all, so it's interesting to resurface with Soul Food right now! Most of all, I wanted to announce my return to the UK and that I aim to potentially be nomadic still, but largely based in Bristol. I'm looking forward to sharing more of my work, and I have many ideas sparking for sound baths, workshops, and markets so I hope to be seeing more of you in person in the coming months!
