Ballymoney Artist takes flight...

After experiencing a bit of a posting drought recently, my ‘blogger’s block’ appears to have been eased by local artists and their exhibitions. When the routine of the daily commute gets in the way of savouring life, action is needed. This is particularly pertinent today as the normal Friday surge in morale is being countered by an unusually strong feeling of pessimism. The shortcomings of my current employment are rather too evident at the moment. I may moan a lot but would consider myself as someone who generally looks on the bright side, so having a downer on a Friday worries me. A fundamental tenet of my philosophy on life is the need to achieve a good life-work balance. At the moment this is not happening. The daily, 47 mile drive to work is becoming tiresome. The road works at Glengormley appear to be getting a bit closer to their conclusion; but not quick enough. I figured out that the daily delay there alone, wastes the time equivalent to that needed for one round of golf, each week. Nuff said.

On a more positive note it has come to my attention that someone I haven’t seen in years has made a bit of an impact in the Art world. Her name is Sharon O’Reilly and we shared a house for a while in Belfast; strangely enough I now live just round the corner from where she grew up in Ballymoney. Having gone back to university and graduated with an honours degree in fine art she has now used her experience working in the caring services to produce a work of art involving a range of people who are disadvantaged in different ways.

This is in keeping with my recollection of Sharon who was and presumably still is a very caring person. I remember being in the car, driving across Belfast one spring evening when she noticed a great swathe of daffodils at the side of the road. On a whim she decided her ‘old ladies’ (she was working in a care home at the time) would love a bunch of flowers and asked me to pull over. Quite a few minutes later she reappeared with an enormous bunch of daffodils which she proceeded to dole out to the ladies in her care. They were delighted. Typical of Sharon. To have a look at her installation visit the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, Holywood, just outside Belfast. For a preview, visit the UFTM website and have a look. http://www.uftm.org.uk/learning/The_Spirit_of_Flight_Public_Art_Project/

If you are visiting NI and looking for an excellent day out, it’s worth considering the Folk and Transport museum. The kids will love it as there is plenty of space. The village, created using actual buildings from around the country which have been dismantled and rebuilt on the site, is a great way to experience the way we used to live.

DESIDERATA

Someone suggested this as an aid to helping me focus on the important things in life and not getting bogged down by the daily grind. Maybe I should recite it to myself as I sit in the traffic jam each morning! It would probably be better than grinding my teeth or shouting at the lane hoppers and white van drivers…

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Oh to be able to work for a loving and not for a living!

Breaking free from the tedium of the daily grind, I slipped the bonds of work this lunchtime and visited the Emer Gallery’s latest exhibition, in the old Northern Bank building, Waring Street, Belfast; both a Retrospective and a sale of new works by the Irish artist JB Vallely.

A wonderful record of the artist’s work over the past half century, his portrayal of uillean pipers, fiddlers and dancers were of particular interest to myself, bringing alive the movement and joy that folk music generates.

Click on the link and have a look: http://www.emergallery.com/

Better still, get down and have a look for yourself. The exhibition runs until the 31^st January 2009.

Undoubtedly it is difficult to get established as an artist, but being able to earn a living from doing something as creative and rewarding, both financially and emotionally as art, must be a real buzz. Sadly, due to a lack of talent it is back to the computer screen for me….

Alto Sax reeds required!

Got an emergency call from my sister in law tonight. My youngest nephew has been making a real effort to practice his saxophone, and making considerable progress. Unfortunately, his mother appears to have thrown out the bag (anonymous brown paper) containing his spare reeds. To say that he is not best pleased is an understatement!
So, as I work next to a shop selling musical instruments I will pick up some new ones and drop them in on the way past. Don't know if his dad will be pleased. It's much easier to encourage the next sax genius when you do not have to live in the same house!

Remembrance Day

As it’s the 11^th of November I will make a short posting in memory of my good friend at college, Malcolm Alexander White (Sgt RUC); murdered in a landmine explosion in 1984. One of the good guys; gone but not forgotten.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Laurence Binyon

New starts all round....

I was just coming to terms with Barack Obama being elected the next president of the USA when in pops an email from my friend in Nurnberg. He has just announced the arrival of his first born, a son. He's only a bit younger than me (the father that is) so is in his late 40s; brave man! Still it's good to hear, as he is a great bloke and will make a great father. So it's new starts all round. I think my friend will have a easier time than Barack! ...get a bit of sleep and learn to change a nappy and all will be ok. Barack has to resurrect the American (and hence the world) economy as well as sorting out the USA's involvement in two wars and trying to get a solution to the middle east problem. Just for starters!
Anyway, lets raise a glass to the new baby... Sláinte