Selected Exerpts

A few things I've been meaning to write about briefly - firstly, I've just today received notification from Hastings Borough Council that the Jerwood Foundation have finally been given planning to build their permanent exhibition space down on the seafront in the Old Town, barely 200 yds from where I used to live.

Despite much objection from the locals (something to do with taking business away from the local Amusement Arcades and Fish'n'chip joints, and culminating in the Bonfire Boyes making an effigy out of the Jerwood and burning it in front of the whole town on bonfire night last year), the council have decided to go ahead with it anyway, and a great decision it is too. It's not going to be just a gallery, but a public space and a cafe as well, and will sort out what has become nothing more than a poxy coach park right on the beach, which let's face it is why people go to the seaside. It'll bring art appreciators to the town, who might just spend money on art by the local arts community (that means me, amongst others).

Secondly, Janet and I have booked a joint show at Hastings ArtsForum at the end of October - hopefully when people have a bit more money after the credit-crunch thingy and are rushing around trying to find lovely christmas presents for their loved-ones. I therefore have to create some beautiful art for the FORTNIGHT it's on. Have decided to continue with paintings in a similar vein, but instead of going back to ceramics as well (which I did fairly successfully last year) I'm going to make a series of wire figures. I know just what they're going to look like, and will post photos when I've done some. Really must do some drawing as well, to get back in the swing.

Also, my weight is dropping - I haven't yet reached the "shadow of former self" stage yet, but I'm a stone and a half lighter than I was in February. What's more, I seem to have broken some of the unpleasant crisp/chocolate habits that were keeping the old pounds piling on.

Loving the squash, but playing with mixed results - at least I won a league match last week, but lost today to someone who's been playing squash since I was born!! Scary drop-shots. Still not scampering around as quick as I should be, but this will improve with fitness and further reduction in weight. Ho hum - must keep at it.