Laura Drever

Since returning home from Edinburgh, settling into a new pace has taken a bit of focus and concentration. Glimro has come and gone and the time has come to start all over. The ebb and flow of being an artist truly comes in to action at times like this.

Samantha Clark often writes wonderfully about this feeling in her blogs. She is able to articulate how it feels as an artist when important projects come and go and how all the in-between bits matter (or not). I’ve been thinking a lot about how other artists navigate these points and the what next’s and how important all the bits of creativity are.

These last few weeks I’ve allowed a bit of time to reflect, enjoy and celebrate. Catch up on things that ended up on the bottom of the pile. Also, take walks for just the sake of walking.

The other day I met artist friend, Sylvia Hays, in the frozen pudding isle and she said with care and interest “Laura you must be in the aftermath of all the hard work’. Sylvia has such a softly spoken voice, she is in her 80’s and still painting. She came to Orkney in the early 2000’s from America and has made Orkney her home. Speaking with her brought a sense of understanding. That it is ok to slow down and take the time. These unplanned conversations feel really important and often come when it is least expected. After our impromptu catch up I picked up a chocolate pudding (that wasn’t really needed) and when back home enjoying it, I thought about our conversation all over again.

In between all of this, life flows on – our son is away to college in Norfolk, our daughter is getting ready to sit her exams. My freelance Fridays are spent being creative with others, the rest of the week holding a paintbrush. The bits and bobs from The Scottish Gallery – cabinet items, pencil case, gold paint – have made the journey home to Orkney and I am looking forward to unpacking them. To welcome my Eerie Orums shelf and mark the end of Glimro, some new found objects will be added…

Glimro, in its physical sense may have come to an end but I’m delighted to say that The Scottish Gallery have held on to a few of the unsold artworks and they can still be viewed on their website. There have also been reflections from others including Duncan McLean – Diary of a Shopkeeper – where he writes about his visit to Edinburgh to see Glimro.

I’d like to think Glimro may have made a lasting impression to some, that the artworks will bring calm and peace to those that have chosen them to be part of their lives. Think we all need that now and again. I will leave you with a photo of my husband Keith. He probably deserves the biggest thank you for all the support given – wrapping paintings, listening to me rabbit on, delivering artwork, finding Groatie Buckies and being a great walking buddy – but mostly because he looks lovely with Limpet eyes!