For the Love of Books #4

A question often asked of authors, is where does inspiration for the book come from? A collage of life, the past, the future, our experiences, problems solved, problems yet to be solved… Invariably it leads me to think about the difference between lives that inspire books, and books that inspire lives. Perhaps the two categories are interwoven in a cycle of inspiration. In either case, I’m currently reading a book which offers up much needed inspiration for the times we are in: The Tao of Revolution by Chris Taylor.

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Exeter Lights 2020

For Exeter’s annual Charity Christmas Tree Festival, it’s business as usual. This year sees 30 real Christmas trees decorated by local charities, on display at Princesshay’s Roman Walk to help raise awareness during the festive period. It was a treat to catch a break in the downpours, for a socially distanced meet up with friends, to take in the sights of Exeter’s lights, and admire the handcrafted decorations of the charity trees. A reminder to think of others, and to appreciate what we have.

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Multidisciplinary Salon 2020

While I write in the fantasy genre, as a painter my work is rooted in the real, or at least, real inspired. Among the landscapes I work in the abstract, a creative expression of an imagined setting, sparked by a thought, a memory, an experience. The majority of the landscapes are African, of which I shared my collection, Perspectives, in a previous blog – click here. I currently have three pieces in my Perspectives collection, Long Walk, Home and At Market, all inspired by snapshots of rural township life in South Africa.

I am soon to complete another three-piece collection, which I will share another time. And as the white-washed walls of home steadily fill, I’m slowly venturing into the realm of exhibits. My first exhibit starts today, and if you like, you can take a look!!

Some time ago, I entered my Perspectives collection to the Menduina Schneider Art Gallery in LA (click here), to apply to have a piece exhibited as part of their online Multidisciplinary Salon 2020. And they accepted, choosing Long Walk, which I was thrilled about, as well as to receive the following review:

‘We’re so happy to showcase your artwork, as it bears great depth into what it really is to be human beyond our self-made borders.’  

See video entry here.

I am honoured to be listed alongside so many wonderful artists, whose work is exciting and bold. I love the international flavour running throughout the whole exhibit, and am excited to watch it live today. @menduinaschneiderartgallery will run the exhibit live on Instagram, at 11am California time. That’s 7pm UK time.

See you there!

 

Loving the Place you Live

In the run up to Christmas, ‘Shop Local’ is the mantra. It’s a noble sentiment. After a year of lockdowns closing high streets and causing businesses to suffer, support local is a welcome gesture. Personally, I include writers and artists in that, local or not; after all, books, art and crafts make wonderful gifts, and go a long way in bringing a smile to the face of the creator.

It seems to have been a year of mantras. I do hope some of them stick around when the pandemic eventually recedes. Like appreciating your local surrounds. A couple of months back, I took a wander around Exeter’s city centre, reminding myself of all my favourite places nestled in this hillside town, edged by the river Exe.

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Fantastical Horizons

I hadn’t expected to be attending World Fantasy Convention 2020, set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah. But with Covid-19 stamping out social gatherings, the organisers created a virtual event, that I was pleased to attend from the comfort of home.

I had the opportunity to give readings from Blood Gift Chronicles. In Return of the Mantra, we heard from Suni, a young woman who has to come to terms with the fact that the fate of her homeland depends on her. This was followed by a sneak preview of the sequel, The Warder, where we face the question: are they gifts, are they curses, are they both? It was heartening for the readings to receive such a warm reception, and for the themes to evoke discussion and questions that kept me on my toes.

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For the Love of Books #3

It is Monday morning of what promises to be a busy week, not least because World Fantasy Convention 2020 is due to start in just a few days. I’m thrilled to have been given a reading slot to read from Return of the Mantra.

(News Update: Free delivery worldwide on Return of the Mantra from Book Depository.)

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