Didn’t realise it was father’s day today until a friend mentioned it. Every year since my dads death it’s been a day I’ve filled doing stuff to distract myself… At yesterday’s open studios I found myself speaking a lot about my dad by chance. It seems growing up in his second home, The Arts Mill influenced a lot. The space, now derelict opposite The Hepworth in Wakefield was our after school playground, I had a bright yellow wall to draw all over and decorate (surprising no one 😅).
The last gift I received from my dad a month before he died as my 21st birthday present was a book about studios, and the importance of them for artists. Something I often look at. Yesterday we had the first open studio at @praxis_n16 since covid, and as I moved in, in 2020, my first open studio ever. It was such a lovely day, and a chance to finally meet so many of the community there.
There’s no real ‘point’ to this post, but I just wanted to share - cos talking openly about grief helped/s me so much. I hope anyone else in the same boat takes a moment to take it all in when life lines things up in what seems like a perfect row of coincidences.
Happy Fathers day to the many wonderful fathers I know, and to the many first timer’s in my life who are navigating being co-responsible for a whole human 😬😅
This weekend has been all the joy ❤️
Hadn’t seen most of my Paris pals for 2 yrs+ so this little trip was just to do that, and enjoy a few days of not doing much more than drawing, drinking and wandering. Saw lots of good art, walked all over remembering what shows were where and realised most of my Paris knowledge is due to showrooms or shows from fashion week 😅
Forgot to take pics of most of it, cos I was too busy having a lovely time. But here’s a few 🙃