ben nicholson in scarborough, embroidered ecclesiastical and today is not a working day

had a lovely day out in scarborough on friday ... fish and chips on sea front; then visited scarboro' art gallery where i saw a ben nicholson

..... then visited woodend gallery next door to see a graham southerland exhibition. ben nicholson's picture was full of texture and southerlands were very green ... not terribly struck with colours, which definitely date them to the period they were made. We are so lucky to have the paints and colours we have today.... but where is the good conteporary abstract art ... i'm still looking for it.

We were meant to go to sheffield today (mon) for an overnight break but yesterday i had a temperature and rash on face so decided to stay at home ....really hoping this virus passes quickly, as i need my energy back.

Think I will do my PPP using 'compendium', a programme from OU which i downloaded yesterday, but didn't have energy to work out how to use..... i keep re-arranging my ppp  roughly in notebook. I was  interested to read Marks blog on nostalgia, and his approach to his ppp, as i haven't included any questions yet... my ppp keeps changing and now i have another dimension to add!

Yesterday i missed church in case i was infectious, but was sent a leaflet on The Guild of Health's northern conference, 'how do we flourish' at nearby hollyrood house, on sat 5th april. There is a textile exhibitions by art psychotherapist pippa woodhams (arboreal dreams) and rev. peter privett. (gethsemane garments).
I've looked  both online and perhaps it's just how i'm feeling today, but the exhibition makes my heart sink - am i being unfair .... probably, especially without seeing the actual exhibition. I think i feel similar to many of the works created by local embroiderers guilds. On the Isle of Man I used to be fully involved (chaired for 3 years) and have visited york group a couple of times .... i come away thinking 'lovely people ... but why oh why are you investing so much time and energy making that?' i feel bad about thinking this and i'm sure they would be thinking similar if not worse things about my present work  ..... buttttttt ?? i'm not sure what frustrates me about such exhibitions and could i do any  better?? ...  some new work looks so old fashioned, with outmoded ideas and is not very aesthetically pleasing .... so what is the church saying to the world through this????  ... i just wish they wouldn't do second rate stuff!!! (sorry folks - but i'm sure glad they can't read this!) About 15-20 years ago, the city and guilds courses were really great and tough on good design etc. and a lot of new exciting work was createed .... but too many embroiderers have forgotten what they learnt design wise and gone back to their predictable and easier old ways and it shows in their work (rant over for now!)

gethsemane gardens

pippa woodhams, arboreal dreams

Finished reading another 2013 sci-fi book, 'Wool' by hugh howey. Interestingly, this book is also about unknown parallel worlds and a theme i am intrigued by,which also fits with my interest in layers.....

Local paper has just rung and done a telephone interview about saatchi and my art..... photographer coming on thurs at 10am.... just want to go to sleep now

walked out into town with peter as it's a lovely day; borrowed another new sci-fi library book 'maddaddam' by margaret atwood and bought 5 more A5 acrylic sheets ... but today isn't a making day, just haven't the energy :(