Eva Hesse

EH has an exhibition at CAC in London at present and I am eager to go and see it. I have always found her to be an inspiration in many ways. An artist although very much of her time she has had a long lasting influence. Eva Hesse and Ana Mendieta were two artists that I was very interested in when I was a younger artist living in NYC in the 70's. Although in actual fact I can say that I was interested in a great deal of work going on then. I went to everything I could go to. It was my art education. Performances, dance, music , art, clubs...all of it. I was so hungry and insatiable it was an amazing time for me and to be in NYC then.
I lived around the corner from where Hesse would have lived.
I want to share some of her work here.

New Moon

Despite very wintery weather, more snow falling on ice, and quite chilly temperatures I find it all still very beautiful. I cannot get over all this whiteness everywhere. It takes time to adjust to the different kind of light and sense of space, without all the added extra detail. I need it to be winter. Seasons are so important in the appreciation of where I live in this remote valley in the north.
The white outside makes for good window watching. The birds are grateful at the feeders, so lively and many kinds with all colours.
I have been working on a couple of short stories. Winter is such a good time for writing, and reflection. Reading too of course. Taking stock of this here life.
If anyone I know and trust would have told me 5 years ago that I would be living in this remote valley in Northumberland in a small bothy/shepherds cottage I would not have believed them. Firstly I would not even have known where Northumberland was.
I wonder where I will be 5 years from now? Come on tell me trusted one!

I am about to travel to London for the weekend. The main reason being the TS Eliot prize readings and giving which take place annually in London. The TSE is a big deal in the poetry world here. The prize is given by Valerie Eliot, his widow, and the main prize amount is £15.000! Each poet who has been shortlisted also receives £1000, which is very nice too.
This year it is a varied group including Hugo Williams, Sharon Olds, Christopher Reid, Philip Gross, and George Szirtes.
I am looking forward to the readings primarily, which take place at Queen Elizabeth Hall and seats 900 I believe!
Also I have planned to go and see the Eva Hesse exhibition @ CAC on my art day and Tate Modern. We shall see how much I manage to take in when I go and what my energy level will allow. My fibromyalgia is nowadays very painful, perhaps it is the winter climate...
Most of all I am looking forward to seeing my bestest friend Paul and having Holy Cow!

Wrist

Dearest Noah shattered his wrist during a bad fall on the ice. His body weight fell onto it as he must have had a twisted fall because it was a very complicated operation today. The surgeon Dr Ronald Pratt took hours in the theatre of North Tyne GH.
It had been very swollen and painful before the op and now it is still very painful. I wish him a speedy recovery very good healing progress.

Some beautiful friends

Garden Inspiration

We are expecting another 20 cm of snow this evening and I decided to look at some garden inspiration today!
It is such a slow process my garden journey. Every year there are changes made, but ever so slight.
First when I moved here I had to get to know the garden as it was and find out more about its history.
Then I started planting stuff because I was so impatient. Everything grows so fast here and it becomes wild very quickly.
I planted some fruit trees thinking ahead. Ferns and grasses because they look natural and play so well with the elements and the seasons. Roses went in Tuscany superb, Rosa rubia, Paul's Himalayan climber, and many many bulbs. They are essential in a county with such a long spring as we have!
Then seating areas became important despite very iffy weather conditions. I do so like being outside, taking my tea, being with the cats, thinking,...
I also love mystery and discovery so a few places like that would be good to create or to let be.
There is a view especially from the bottom of the garden over the Seat which is a fell on the other side of the Tarset valley.
A few garden "features" like a cairn perhaps, a firepit, a tea house...
I am planting herbs and learning which survive here with every year. Two rosemaries are doing surprisingly well! Wild garlic too.
There are places where the birds are happy feeding away, the rodents too, and rabbits unfortunately they are also fun for the cats!
A composting bin from freecycle. A water butt or two.
I have made a drawing of the garden as it is now and then Ben and I will do some clearing of overgrown areas this coming spring. Once I can see what it really is in terms of marshyness, slope, soil, I can really begin to plan better.
I want more soft fruit bushes, roses and peonies, herbs, fruit trees, a mountain laurel which I saw in New England but nowhere here, and dogwood the same. I also have trees to plant up the lane, chestnuts and oaks mainly. Plus a ginkgo which I want to find the perfect place for! Lots of plans! I take it slow season by season with Ben as a guide.