Yesterday I met the artist Anita Reynolds at Green Hill Arts, where I was doing my weekly stint on reception. (One of the reasons I DO it - so I can meet interesting local people). Interestingly I KNEW she was a printmaker without asking and, after wandering wether I had suddenly become psychic, realised on reflection that it was actually because I'd logged her name almost subliminally on the back of some cards I was putting out at the beginning of the Winter Show - some triptychs I'd particularly admired. Her work shares a kinship with Kurt Jackson - another favourite artist of mine.
I was fascinated to hear about her book "Outline South West" chronicling her exploration of the South West Coast Path - she made sketches which resulted in a print of each day's walking. As a result I splashed out on the book.
On page 72 she writes:
"Walking, looking, sketching and selecting a stone and word for the day became a beautifully slow and considered routine. I enjoyed the fact that my tasks for the day were so simple. So far removed from the usual daily chores all done at high speed to meet deadlines that are, more often than not, totally self imposed. I also found that I had time to reflect and took delight in thinking about the day itself and nothing else."
Has this woman been inside my head? This is precisely how I envisage the daily routine on my cycling adventure should be - well maybe not selecting a stone and daily word, but a daily practise of tai chi, cycling, looking, journalling sketching and knitting I hope. We shall see if the dream crumbles in the face of reality.
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