I was well enough for a trip to the studio today! I’m still dealing with infection and asthma and on a stack of meds. I’ve never had an asthma episode this bad or this long before, it’s a bit scary. Going to the studio by myself – and driving again too, both felt strange and a bit worrying. I moved slowly, took precautions, and stayed in touch with Rose.

But in the end it was wonderful. I bought more watercolour paper on the way, then spent the first couple of hours pottering. Sorting, tidying, cleaning. I went through the hundred or so pages of notes, tests, backup work, and proofs for my handmade magazine project Inside Voice, re read everything and sorted it into groups and two folders, one to put away, and the one containing everything I currently need. My mind is so much less cluttered now!

Pottering is a delightful thing, it’s fun, it takes the pressure off, and as I do all those little jobs that get forgotten about when you’re busy and focused and under the pump, the space clears out, the lost tools get found again, the physical and mental clutter is calmed. All the papers are put together in a box, and labelled. I found several pairs of scissors and gave them a home, emptied two boxes of random things and cleared them off my floor, found all my notes and sketches for a handmade book that stalled and put them together in a folder, taped test strips into my journal and updated the index, started a new list of helpful things to bring to the studio, such as a small extension cord so I can sit at my desk and plug in my electric lap blanket on these cold nights. It’s slow, I rest often, I listen to music, and do whatever I feel like working on next.

After a couple of hours of this, I feel settled. My anxiety has lowered, I feel at home and a sense of ownership and belonging has come over me. My breathing is raspy but not distressed.

Then, I begin to paint and sew. The handmade book takes shape. Here is a sneak preview, neither the artwork not the poem are mine, they are both from prisoners (readers). I believe I have done them justice, so I’ve come home very happy. Hopefully I’ll keep getting better and get lots of studio time this week. ❤