January 2021 .....

I hope you all managed to have a good Christmas, in spite of all the restrictions. And maybe even managed to celebrate the New Year? albeit in a much more subdued manner than we might have hoped. And now, here we are with the whole country in lockdown yet again, with everything that entails. It means that the lovely Linden Hall Studio in Deal has been obliged to close the doors once again. This is so sad, after the huge efforts they put into getting this years Winter Group Show up and running - the biggest and best yet! And selfishly, I’m fed up about the closure as I was planning to visit between Christmas and New Year. That was not to be (so frustrating!) but at least this wonderful exhibition can still be viewed on line (see the Linden Hall Studio website for details).

No such luck for ‘Singularity’, my planned solo exhibition at the Fishslab Gallery in Whitstable, which was due to open on the 20th of this month. That’s had to be cancelled altogether. It’s such a popular gallery (deservedly so) that it’s always booked throughout the year, so even when it is able to open again, I’m unlikely to be able to bag another slot in 2021 unless I get very lucky. Ah well, c’est la vie and all that!

But it’s not all doom and gloom. On my daily walk yesterday I saw daffodils popping their heads out all over the verges - a life-affirming reminder that Spring is not too far away. And vaccinations are in the pipeline too, and as they roll out, hopefully we can all start to feel a little safer and take small steps towards a more normal life. I for one can’t wait to get mine!

In the meantime, take care and stay well. And all the best for 2021