22 September 2020

 

As an "artist" (now I usually prefer to say I'm a painter, if nothing else it is less pompus), I frequently get asked if I am painting. To which I respond "yes, I indeed I am". Painting, the manipulation of coloured mediums in many directions in order to express and convey the visual stimulation and inspiration, that flood my mind. To be honest I simply never stop and much of it is very internalized and personal. At the moment with the challenges we are all facing, I feel fortunate to have this natural outlet. I also enjoy exploring other forms of communication. One of the best to lift our spirit is discussion, through the straightforward means of chat, thus we express thoughts and emotions. But crucially we share such feelings. For me, despite being primarily a visual person, I have learned the power of the verbal expression. Words can shortcut ideas and express a range of things directly. At the moment my visual expression is a little too personal and rather raw. I need to let my current drawings and paintings settle and cure a little like a wine needing to breath. Before I feel able to share these images I require to understand and process them myself. So. through these posts, expressing my thoughts in dry words without illustration and I can keep my own mind clear.

In this truly frightening period in the history of humanity we each need to find a means to clear our minds and gather our thoughts. In short we need to keep sane. Through the darkness of night, in the absence of dear supportive friends, when I feel vulnerable, alone and overwhelmed, I think of the joys of colour. I can paint in my minds eye. So in truth I never stop painting. Of course there are many and varied ways to keep sane and find joy.

Some thoughts to share on a wet and windy, autumnal day. KB.

31 August 2020

We really don't appreciate, enough, how the lovely little things of life contribute to making living enjoyable. Spending happy moments with dear and valued friends is high on the list of good things to do. I had special weekend catching up with special friends. On Friday afternoon, a takeaway hot chocolate and cuppa tea, followed by pottering about in various shops in Stornoway. In the process of being with one dear friend did I not meet up with many others. On Saturday night a lovely meal shared with more special friends, in a more private situation. Sunday was a real family day with positive interaction of each of the generations. All this expressing and defining the origins of the word "company" or "companionship", literally meaning together with bread. It was indeed a memorable weekend and having such lovely supportive company lifted my spirits. I find it important to be positively charged and ready for the autumn, and this is especially true this year with all the challenges faced personally and globally.

As we progress from the reassuring lighter days of summer we should be thinking of creative ways to fill the seasonal changes. For me it is vital to capture time to paint. I also have many little projects to complete and conclude. A few were begun when we first went into lock down some have been on the go even longer and all really must get attention now. Of course I intended to have all these things done once the lock down had been lifted... but a more important priority has been the care of my mother. I gain much inspiration with her example of determination, dignity and patience. It is a very special honour to look after an elderly parent and I have learnt a huge amount over these challenging months, as wisdom accrues with age and is the great gift the elderly pass on to us.

At the moment I am not looking too far into the future and certainly not making any plans. These are positive and cathartic things for me. Living in the moment and savouring the moment can fend off the overwhelming sadness that obviously prevails.

My thought on this last day of August 2020.

4 August 2020

 The relentless ongoing passage of time often denies us the opportunity to stand back to absorb and digest the life changing aspects that affect our futures. I know that I do not really do change very well, a case in hand, is that, I lived in the same flat in my adopted city of Glasgow for thirty-seven years. I thrive in a familiar comfort zone and the only move I made was to return home, over three years ago, to care for my mother. Though in reality I had been spending increasingly longer periods with my mother in my beloved Isle of Lewis. The actual shift when it came was not the seismic one I expected. But things never turn out as expected... The past year has been filled with health issues and challenges. I often wish I could just suspend time for the very briefest of moments, in order to understand it's effects. But one needs to be realistic and positive. For a host of reasons over the last few weeks, I have been in a most philosophical frame of mind with many thoughts focusing on the issues of mortality, usually a totally unspoken subject. But now since our global pandemic it is raised as matter of wide concern. Fortunately the human condition is to look on the bright side of life and seek out the most pleasant aspects of life and not dwelling on the things which threaten our very existence.

I remain extremely worried not to say frightened by the relaxation in the provision to protect us from the coronavirus. I fully believe that real caution is actually required until there is an effective vaccine. So It genuinely saddens me to see the unhindered desire to "get back to normal", which is sadly actually generated by selfishness and greed. Nights out and holidays for a few does put the wider population at risk. Opening our island communities to tourists, when our hospital provision is so limited is a dangerous situation. As ever I feel people require to understand the difference between "needing" and "wanting", things (to get back to normal). My fear is that we are ALL facing a long, sad and traumatic winter. We still still need to stay safe and survive.

A few things on my mind, this late summer. KB.

Website

The website, associated with this blog, is now live on www.kennethaburns.com.

Introduction

This blog, which is part of my website kennethaburns.com, will carry updates on my work, where it is being exhibited and other details. It will also show off some of my latest creations in the sidebar. Like the website, the blog is still under construction, so keep checking back as I build my web presence.