Logbook July 2024

Hello ! 

The wind is whistling in the old roof window, cats are curling up in their basket for an afternoon nap and me I choose this peaceful ambiance to sit down at my laptop and write these lines. 

A simple thing I like in my life here is that I follow the seasons. We are in summer, well at least on the paper. For me summer means I will be busy to promote and show my work in real life, face to face with new people and with regular clients and friends. 

This year, for the first time, I took part in the Heb Celt Fest as a vendor in the main arena. Enjoying the view between the 2 big stages, I set up my temporary boutique in a white tent, 9m2 to welcome visitors and chat about my work but also about everything. 3 days of music, meeting, laugh, sales, One day with a strong wind that delayed the opening of the festival (only 30 minutes) and where we improvised with what equipment we had with us to secure everything. 

It has been a great experience that I am willing to renew next year of course. My mother-in-law, herself an accomplished and talented artist , seconded me in this adventure and has been a great teacher to me. 

But everything has an end and it was already time to pack up, tidy up and wash the table cloths. Just in time for my third year of Open Studios Hebrides. I already spoke about this event in a previous article you can read HERE. 

This year I shared the Boatman House, in the Stornoway Castle Ground with Eilidh Thomposon who is using mainly pyrography on wood. 

The Boatman House has been closed for decades. Inhabited until the 1960’s, it is an historical place for local people. After many years of renovation work, it is now possible to rent it. Not very big but not too small either, it has been my pop up gallery for 6 days in total. 6 intense days – split in 2 weekend - where more than 527 visitors crossed the door to discover what had been done to this tower but also to get a look at what Eilidh and I are were creating, making, telling. 

I always look forward for this event as I get inspiration from you : your suggestions, your stories, what you like, what you have spotted. My work wouldn’t make any sense if there was no one to share it with. So it is a big Thanks to you for being here and there, temporarily or regularly, you are part of every artist’s life. 

Now that the excitement dropped down a bit, I am focusing on Christmas. I know it seems odd but it take times to make enough baskets and bowls and it will be soon time to deliver new stocks to the galleries on the mainland. 

I am now sitting back to my sewing machine. Enjoy the rest of August, take care, 

Mathilde