The Ghostly Stag

Dear All,

I still keep an A5 desk diary, a habit I started well over thirty years ago, back in the days when I was a school teacher.  As the years have gone by, these diaries have been crammed full of exciting events, serious appointments, difficult deadlines and hopeful dreams.  So, at this quiet time of the year, I am reflecting on how my times have changed.  I now leave many more ‘empty’ pages in the diary, hoping for a more freestyle and creative journey through the year.

But we all need at least a little structure in life, so I have made some plans to share with you.  The Ark exhibition, postponed from the end of last year, will now take place around Easter time.  And I will hold a second studio exhibition at the other end of 2026, in the form of a Winter Solstice Sale.  Other than that, the studio will only be open by appointment, so that I can concentrate on making work for my exhibition in Cumbria next year.

But back to my preparations for Ark.  I will be busy over the next couple of months, finishing off all the work on this theme that was started last year.  And, just as I did for Luna, I am putting together a selection of words and images for a wee book to accompany the exhibition.  I enjoy the creative part of this process, but I find the technology involved in desktop publishing very challenging.  Luckily for me, I have Chelsea Frew – artist and illustrator – to keep me right.

And whilst I am on the theme of publication, I thought that now would be a good time to remind you of my first book – Earthworks.  If you don’t yet have a copy, for the month of January I am selling it at a reduced price of £30 (incl P&P).  The normal price is £42 (incl P&P).  If you missed it first time around, now would be a good time to buy.

So, it is Happy New Year from me and The Ghostly Stag (available from the online textile shop).  We are knee-deep in snow here in Elphin.  Time for me to coorie in and do a bit of dreaming about the possibilities of 2026.

All the best,

Jan