‘I’m finally beginning to acknowledge that I must continue creating alongside my demons, not for them.’
Some years ago I ran a business hosting creative workshops (The Simpson Sisters) and one of the things I regularly said and wrote was that there is magic in being in the company of like minded people. This is clearly not rocket science and nothing new, but this week has been an important reminder to me of just how enormously beneficial being immersed in an inspiring environment, alongside a group of warm and friendly people, with experts to share their knowledge and experience is.
The trope of the struggling artist may initially bring to mind starving painters in Parisian garrets (for me at least), but in truth I think it is the mental anguish that anyone creative struggles with the most. For me the battle with perfectionism and lack of confidence in my abilities will be life long, but much as I’ve learned to adjust my gait due to crumbling joints I’m finally beginning to acknowledge that I must continue creating alongside my demons, not for them.
Many months ago I received an email from Sarah Statham letting me know that there was to be a rather special workshop with herself, Eva Nemeth and Frances Palmer - a florist, a photographer and a ceramicist - and she wondered whether I’d be interested. It was the perfect trifecta and it didn’t take me long to say yes and figure out a way to pay for it.
So on Monday this week I flew up to Inverness from Bristol and joined a wonderful group of people to stay at Aldourie Castle, a WildLand property, owned and managed by wealthy Danes whose vision is to restore and rehabilitate the vast areas of the Highlands under their care. We slept not in the castle itself but in the most beautiful cottages in its grounds. We came together to eat and drink, to be shown around the Tom Stuart-Smith designed gardens and were even treated to a fascinating room by room tour of the castle which is available for exclusive use hire should one win the lottery!
We spent time watching and learning from each of the three experts on hand, and as the only potter of the group I was lucky enough to pick Frances’ brains on glazing issues - the answer being mostly just to stop worrying and try again. Frances had made each of us a vessel in which we could arrange flowers during the workshop, and which I very (very) carefully carried home in my hand luggage.
I have loved being inspired by both the surroundings in which careful design and attention to detail is visible everywhere, and by those who have devoted themselves to a craft. Eva is a wonderful garden photographer whose work I love (though can only aspire to her dedication to the art for mine doesn’t often enough include a 4:30am shoot); Sarah’s skill in choosing the perfect flower for the right spot in each and every arrangement is enviable, and her gentle encouragement to trust one’s instincts welcome; and Frances’ energy and total commitment to her ceramics has lent me the resolve to plough on.
This week has reminded me that there is no shame in seeking beauty and that creating it around us, in any way we see fit, is valid and valuable. I may not always feel that I am adding in a hugely meaningful way to others’ lives in this phase of my life, but neither am I detracting.
While I’ve been away since Monday we did work really hard in the garden last week and everything is happily growing both in the borders and the flower beds. There are many more seedlings to prick out, pot on and to plant and the weekend ahead looks perfect for doing so - although perhaps I’ll be anxiously trying to keep things a little shaded so they don’t suffer sunburn.
I plan to pick up my camera and document the changes in the garden more regularly, the phone is a wonderful tool in itself, but I know that I take more time and care when composing an image with the ‘proper’ camera in my hands. I know many of you don’t use the Substack app, but I do often share photos here on Notes and also on Instagram and I’ll be sharing more photos from the week.
The kiln finally cooled enough to unload it before I headed off. Within was a plate Mike had asked for which I had experimented with glaze wise and it looks pretty good, there were also several bud vases which are not quite the colour I had anticipated following my assiduous glaze testing, but they’re simple and sweet - perfect for the most delicate stems of something to brighten a corner - and I’ll get them on the website next week.
I have quite a few ballerina bowls waiting to be glazed and further to a trial pair feel able to get on with it. My days of deliberating too long are over (please remind me now and then), if they don’t work out then they will simply become crocks in the bottom of pots in the garden.
It’s time to head into the studio now, to have a little tidy up and sort out before I begin, and at some point there will have to be a shower for Gertie. We walk around the fields down the lane this morning, but the muck spreaders have been out and after a thorough badger hole investigation she returned with what can only be described as a face full of pig poo! Needless to say she managed to sneak onto our bed before I realised, so I’m grateful that it’s a good day for drying laundry too.
This post almost didn’t happen. I spent the morning writing when suddenly everything ground to a halt, my fingers on the keyboard produced nothing on the screen and then it went blank, everything deleted without any instantly obvious way to retrieve it. Had it not been for the week I’ve just had I may well have closed my computer, walked out of the study and never returned, but a little indulgence and creative inspiration have led to resilience and though I began from the beginning again I did then work out how to restore a draft.
Wherever and however you spend the weekend ahead (a long one for us in the UK) may you find things to make you smile.
With love, Vx
ps. A click on the ♥️ will be the cherry on the top of my week, thank you. x
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