10 August 2021

Back in May, I put some of my current paintings up, for view, and the positive feedback from that endeavour nurtured a focus on developing some more ideas. Such activity has been a vital means of lifting my spirits and preventing much overwhelming emotion, this summer. As I reflect, take stock, my memory and flashbacks call to last summer... Oh, an altogether different time for me... The sad outcome was inevitable... Drifting back to the present season, it is so reassuring to be able to simply explore the delights of colour ideas or composition and shapes in "en plein air" sketches, for much larger paintings. There I am in my prime element, sort of convincing my self that there is a way of coping with the pain of one's grieve... But sadly no... Not yet... My raw grief... It is still there... Then, of course, I am aware that all around us there so many people struggling to come to terms with the brutal reality of losing a loved one. Such shared experience brings people together.

We still face worrying times and a genuinely uncertain future, despite the wishful thinking that punctuates all news broadcasts. Humour that is the fundamental means that people deploy to address such times of crisis and uncertainty, makes no appearance. Even poor leadership get the butt end of jokes. However this pandemic period we are existing in simply does not engender any laughter or light reference at all. How on earth could it? Then there are the related issues and confusion. Much as I would welcome a trip off my beloved island - it is over eighteen months since I ventured anywhere - But no, I am going to stay as close to my own home as I can be, until I feel it is safe to stray back to the wonderful urban worlds. A couple of days ago I received my bus pass, that little perk of turning sixty! I have already been planning it's use around the island. A very local "staycation", never straying very far from my base.

Now, to end on a positive note, of uncharacteristic "own trumpet blowing", I must flash up the wonderful "MI FHEIN IS MACKINTOSH/ART ON FIRE, programme about the once great Glasgow School of Art, that is being broadcast on BBC ALBA, on Monday night (9th August 2021), at 9pm. It will be available on the iPlayer for 30 days after the broadcast. This most emotional programme was directed by Calum Angus MacKay. I was delighted to have been invited, among other former students from the islands, to make my contribution to it. I have been rather involved in the campaign to rebuilt this outstanding building, since the second ripping flames were put out, on 15/16 June 2018. This is the very beautiful and special formative place where so many of us grow and developed as creative people. It was quite simply a most magical place, and this programme gives a flavour of what it still means to us. I was privileged to have a full preview yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 4th August). I am sure it will impress everyone who sees it. I hope many of you will take the opportunity to experience this unique presentation, of the very fond and most personal expressions and regards for this greatly loved institution.

KB

10 August 2021

 Well, it is so very odd to see yourself on a television screen. There, I was, last night, speaking with an authority, my own vivid memories of a much loved space. I was both honoured and delighted to make my contribution to the brilliant and beautifully crafted documentary 'Mi Fhein is Mackintosh/Art on Fire', directed by Lewis filmmaker, Calum Angus MacKay, which was broadcast on BBC Alba, last night. A credit to all involved with its production.

The master stroke here was to have a group of GSA Alumni, former and current students from the islands, relate their personal, special and highly emotional feelings for the Glasgow School of Art. The most magical place, known affectionately as 'The Mack', designed by architect, artist and designer Charles Rennie Macintosh, where their creative imaginations were to grow and develop. Each account, in this documentary, is detailed and articulate, each is beautifully visual, as one might expect from individuals with keen artistic senses. Certainly a unique picture emerges of a place greatly loved, and now sadly missed, by all fortunate to have studied there. The interest in rebuilding this iconic gem of architecture remains strong and it is potentially huge. This could well be the beginning of a positive and pro-active campaign to deliver the many questions, long since requiring answers. This would be an excellent outcome from the film.

For my own part, I have already been involved in some of the discussion to date, many of my feelings and opinions have been voiced and written. My online comments in the immediate aftermath of the second fire, on Friday 15th June 2018, formed a personal viewpoint which was published on the STV online news page, on Monday 18th June 2018. That was a great honour, the article was accompanied by two photographs of me, as a nineteen year old, in the ' Henrun' loggia, on the top floor of 'The Mack', and the article was indeed the start of the memories that were flooding into my mind. I do regret that, for this film, I was not yet confident enough to let my memory flow to camera in Gaelic. Reviving any ability in Gaelic, has been high on my 'to do'/'must do' list since I returned to live on the island, in January 2017.