Windy city

The view accross the roof tops today is spectacular. The wind is mental today, apparently a force 9. Whatever it is I could hardly hold the camera and stand up straight. The Gozo channel ferry is having to take the longer route to Malta around the leeward side of Comino. This rarely happens even in the winter and it's a pretty choppy ride regardless. 

So tucked up safe and warm in my apartment, despite the doors rattling and my cow bells clanking I can carry on with some intuitive painting.
My coulour pallete is becoming more and more muted. I start with a vibrant base and mix of colours but then mostly cover them up. I guess this is a result of working in a white room. My studio 'space' is beginning to take over my living room !

Inspired by the peeling paint and dusty walls of the island I like to build many layers. I have used a shape taken from a door grille, For me it has a feel of looking through the grille in a harem gallery, mystery as to what lies behind the open door. The word 'love' in Farsi stands in the way.

I quite often work on a couple on canvases at the same time, the one below is just beginning to feel like something.

Nerve centre !

Exhausted !

A great evening at Zeppi's in Qala that just about summed up a fantastic weekend of carnival. It started in the bar on Thursday eveing to celebrate a friend's birthday and went on pretty much non stop for four days. The Voodo Goorus played to a crowded venue whilst the carnival dancers prepared to put on a fantastic show in the square.

There were parades in the city during the days and much revelry on all through the night. The village of Nadur being the venue of choice for the die hards.

The costumes were impressive and it was obvious that the years' hard work for the makers did not go unnoticed.

A fantastic weekend and although the vast majority of visitors to the island have gone back to work there are still festivities going on. Well worth a visit next year if you are need of perking up in February but book early as every spare room on Gozo was taken. That's what I love about living here, the Gozitans know how to party !

Slowly, slowly catch your monkey

A couple of cold weeks back in the UK didn't inspire, but coming back to the spring like warmth has spurred me into action again. I have much work to do in the next few weeks in preparation for shows etc. My new studio space is waiting on permits so I am having to be very patient. This is Gozo and everything moves at a snail's pace...slowly slowly catch your monkey ! I am itching to get in and slap a bit of paint around and generally tidy up. 

Anyway, in the meantime I have been busy working on more driftwood paintings and enjoying some fabulous walks.