Weeknote 2025/08

Time Off…Sort Of

School’s out so Carole is off work, and I am too…sort of? My more regular work continues and because my hours are flexible I’m fitting it in and around more recreational and research based activity.

The Camera Eye

My camera is an essential part of my creative field research. I use it to ‘record’ observations and sightings. I’m slowly getting to grips with a new one. The zoom lens on my ageing Nikon 1 started failing several months ago. It’s been to and from the service centre several times, parts get replaced, sometimes it works, sometimes it stubbornly refuses. After a frustrating recent exchange where the camera failed to work in my hands, but did just fine when in for repair, we looked at other options. Thankfully I’ve had the same person helping me at Nikon the whole way through so they’ve shared the experience with me, and made me a very decent offer when it came to sourcing a replacement. Good customer serivce remember that eh? And so it came to pass I have a new camera. I’m very much in figuring things out mode - but even so - I am really chuffed with some of the recent work I’ve done.

Nikon : Where I’ve been v Where I’m Going

The Art of Books

I had a useful meeting with with a local college last week who are interested in commissioning some introductory bookbinding work from me. It’s early days and we’re figuring out how best to combine the skills I have with some of the courses students are exploring - poetry being one space where we can interestingly combine artforms.

In other news, I was successful in a recent pitch to take part in a Resilient Futures creative programme locally. This will involve me designing and delivering a zine making session - and the contents will have an artful wellbeing focus.

Watch this space as I develop these ideas and simultaneously consider how I incorporate bookish ideas into this year’s Open Studios. I have much to do.

Bookish Ideas