Never judge a box by its cover

Never judge a box by its cover ! This is an opportunity to win a box of handmade treasure from patchworkbutterfly. To see more of what you just might find, go to patchworkbutterfly
All you need to do become a friend of patchwork butterfly on my  Facebook page and leave a comment on this post saying who you would most like to jump out of a box and why? Closing date is Friday 24th November. Those already friends are very welcome, to take part. Please feel free to invite new ones !!!! Good luck !l

Art junction

In my last post I talked about the people of Art junction. So here is some of their work.

By the blue wall

Art Junction by The Blue Wall is a collaboration between Art junction and the photographer Salvo Toscano

Ten years ago I was asked as an artist to see if I was interested in setting up a space for people to come and create, individuals whose lives have been disrupted by mental health issue. The gang became known as Art Junction and over the last few years the group has grown beyond anything I could ever imagined exhibiting work both locally and nationally. It is a place to inspire, be inspired, laugh lots, find friends and understanding, just sometimes a place to be and feel safe in crisis

The purpose of the art junction group is to provide opportunities for expression to further personal fulfillment, to give opportunities to acquire and develop new skills, to develop self confidence and self esteem through participation in the arts. Art Junction helps to develop and nurture the artistic and creative potential of our members, and; increase their access to the benefits of the arts, as an integral part of individuals' care and recovery

 Whilst drinking coffee and gossiping, this is when I find all the best plans happen the collaboration between Art junction and Salvo Toscano came about it. Salvo spent a few weeks meeting our artists and shot them wherever they wanted to be photographed, some at our space, in their favourite places or just out in the street. We are really very lucky to have had this opportunity to work with Salvo and the resulting images are without doubt amazing. These photos were exhibited alongside the work of Art junction and many other happenings this last weekend as part of Nuit Blanche in Reading

cheers Karl

Throughout your life you meet people, some stay some go, some are just chance meetings on a train where you share your world and never to meet again. And then there are some people, the people you meet who tilt the balance of your life and show you another way of seeing, doing, being. One of those people was Karl  a free spirit who packed his bags and went on a journey. The journey took him to Cambodia at the back end of Polpots regime a very different place now, to back then when the infrastructure was shot to pieces. Literally! He stayed and never looked back. This is where my story begins when I went out to Cambodia on my own not knowing where I was going to stay. I was pointed into the direction of The Ivy guesthouse of which Karl was the owner married to his beautiful Cambodian wife Vann. Our friendship started at the back end of the day in Cambodia sitting in the bar at The Ivy drinking Angkor beer and sharing our world's. Often I would come back from my days in the villages working on projects crying in disbelief at what I had seen and the pain people were suffering. He sat there listened as he knew  had seen it all and was able to make sense of it. I am thankful for this as some days I didn't think I would be able to deal with another heartbreaking day. Karl welcomed me into his world and he shared the real Cambodia he opened his big heart and a bit of me changed forever. I will be eternally thankful for knowing you and I am scared that when I return soon it won't be the same because you are not there! Your death untimely and so unfair. Thankyou for being part of my world the journey was amazing !

Lotus

I have managed to find a flower merchant who was able to get me some lotus flowers.They have just arrived and i am so excited to be able to practise my lotus folding and to see if I can remember how. Pove with her great patience and many many lotus later taught me how, on many a balmy Cambodian evening whilst having an Angkor beer. These are made as offerings to take to the temples. They are just so beautiful !

The tired garden

My garden is starting to feel tired after a wonderful few months with out sleep. All the flowers have entertained us on a daily basis with their wonderful dramas that unfold all around you. The last of the lily's unfurling their wonderful heady perfumes, the roses with their petals dancing around in the wind along with the fading flowers of the verbena. And just when you think the garden is so tired, and it can give no more the Japanese anemones, cyclamen, crab apple tree with it's beautiful jewelled fruits and sedum take centre stage. Heaven !!!

The writing on the wall

I have just come back from the cafe, sitting watching the world go by where the graffiti team were trying to remove a beautiful image from one of the council buildings. I love these pieces of art that appear in the dead of night and reveal themselves as the sunrises. I am always saddened when so much time effort and money is spent in removing them. Whether they are political statements cheeky little thoughts or as simple as the beautiful eyes in the photos above I love them. These are some of my favourite from my journey to Milan this year. They always brighten my day and it is on my list of things to do before I leave this life !!!