Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Sometimes Life Takes Over!


'Coastal,' watercolour on paper, 12 x 10ins


I began my novel in 1998. It was only a few months after the sudden death of my partner Tom. I was forced to return to the UK, because at that time you needed to renew your visa every three months, and without Tom I could no longer use our engagement as a reason. I returned to the UK and tried to give shape to my grief by writing. I learned so much about the creative process of assembling ideas and conversations into a novel, and I thought I had finished it within 8 months. How wrong I was! I ended up doing about 40 re-writes, because the novel continually demanded changes, or seemed less rounded than my cursory read revealed.


'Transitional Landscape,' oil on board, 22 x 18ins

Originally my novel was saved on one of those ancient items called Floppy Discs! Luckily I transferred the file to a Memory Stick just before Floppy Disc drives died. Then my novel lay fallow for some years - life took over, I was promoting my artwork, and began a new relationship. I looked at it again a few weeks ago, and with entirely fresh eyes. It could have been written by someone else. I found that it needed minimal editing, and I am currently preparing it for electronic publishing. Options have changed a lot since I began the book, and a Publishing House is not the only route.

I aim to finish my novel by the third week of September. It is great fun doing the final touches, and in between this, I'm also starting new paintings.


Monday, 19 August 2013

My Cyprus novel




'Paphos Walk,' (1)  watercolour, 10 x 12ins


Cyprus inspired me to finish my novel. It is based on my experiences of living in Nicosia from 1984 to 1998, as a full-time artist. But foremost, it is about the love of a country, and the struggle to survive as an artist in a very different culture.


'Paphos Remembered,' watercolour, 10 x 12ins

For the next month, I will be editing and finishing my novel, and hope to have it ready to market by mid to the end of September.



'Midnight Swim,' watercolour, 10 x 12ins


Sunshine and Fantasy

Twenty-five days in Cyprus passed in a flash! In between visits to the beach, and long wals, I painted a few watercolours. Sunshine, sparkle and images from my walks overlapped and mutated into fantasy compositions as I worked on the balcony each day. I'm including a few of these compositions.


'Paphos Walk,' (5) watercolour, 10 x 12ins
 


'Paphos Walk,' (2)  10 x 14ins
 



'Paphos Walk,' (3) 10 x 12ins
 
Twenty-five days in Cyprus passed in a flash! In between visits to the beach, and long walks, I painted a few watercolours. Sunshine, sparkle, and images from my walks overlapped and mutated into fantasy compositions as I worked on the balcony each day. I'm including a few of these compositions.