Coo-eee, only me!

And the spiders....

This image is unrelated to anything you are about to read, but I like it.

Hello!

< Please insert your own excuse as to why I’ve not posted anything since before Summer, followed by something like ‘Cor, how are we in September already’>

This summer has been far too hot, but aside from that not bad at all thank you very much for asking. I’ve been going to lots of drawing workshops, practicing piano (I’m hovering around Grade 4 and am onto the Jurassic Park theme - get in), we did some family visits and sea swims. I do need a bit of routine imposed upon me though, so I’m secretly happy that it’s back to school time (I don’t have children but I do work in HE and that’s almost the same thing).

I also need to wear knitwear as much as possible if I am to thrive as a human and so I am un-secretly happy that Autumn arrived practically overnight and I am already wearing a knitted hat around the house. We don’t have central heating (this is Cornwall) so September to October is the time when it’s chilly but not cold enough to light the stove. At least that’s what I’d say if asked, but between you and me the chimney sweep has yet to visit and we’ve still to order logs, so if there is a sudden cold snap we’re definitely doomed.

Anyway, ‘nuff chat, let’s get onto important matters.

Spiders

A collection of drawings of spiders I have met, because to draw something is to know it and you should know your enemy.

It’s that time of year again. It started last week when I was sat in bed, reading, while Mr G was relaxing into the well earned sleep of a full time gardener, and I caught sight of something black, eight legged and the size of a small truck dashing over his hip directly at me.

Because it’s personal now, they know me. The Giant House Spiders have told their children and their children’s children, it is ingrained generational knowledge that their main objective at the end of every summer is to be bastards to Beth.

The cat is no help, she plays with the big ones. I am left to conduct a thorough search of the bedroom each night, and wander around in life like an underslept zombie for the next three weeks following nights of jerking awake to the smallest tickle on my skin. Mr G might be thrown out of bed at any minute, or (as has actually happened) come dashing through the house in the firm belief that there is an intruder or Other Legitimate Crisis warranting the noise I just made (there was, there was a GHS on the stairs).

We all have our limits. I am a grown up and Better With Spiders nowadays, but the GHS are not spiders. They are big hairy bellends out to get me, and I will believe that until my dying day.

New cards

Three of the 7 new cards!

It would be remiss of me not to mention that I’ve added a few new cards to my range recently. If you are in the UK you can buy them (and other fun stuff) here, or if you have a little bricks and mortar shop you could even ask me about my wholesale catalogue.

If you are elsewhere then you can’t do either of those things I’m afraid, because between Brexit, Trump and GSPR, the sheer administrative and financial cost involved in getting a 3-quid greetings card out of the country is a level of ridiculous I can’t even begin to explain. So, sorry about that. But if you’re here in the UK with me, then consider this my hard-sell. Thank you for listening.

Abstract Figure

A pile of the stuff I created in Newlyn

Back in June I did a really intensive 3 day Abstract Figure course over at Newlyn with the utterly inspiring and slightly bonkers Rob Unett. I came away from it tired, inspired, in mild existential crisis, excited and completely overwhelmed. There was so much to process I think it broke my brain a bit for a while, but in a really good way.

So I handed all of that over to the Tortoise Mind to chew on while I got on with the rest of my summer, and so I hadn’t actually looked back at the work I did until just last week. I learned loads. I am still learning loads from it. What a rollercoaster and what a treat.

Eyeballs and Earholes

And because I’ve really enjoyed some of the listen/watch/read recommendations from other Substackers I thought I would mention some of my own from recent weeks. Recommendations in return are very welcome.

The Crash Bang Wallop Podcast - a podcast that revisited some lesser known disasters from history (from The Slapton Sands Tragedy through to the Crinkley Bottom Theme Park) which was over and done before I discovered it, because presenter Phil Jerrod sadly passed away and so it ended after about 40 episodes. I discovered it because I wanted to learn about the Moorgate Tube Crash from someone British (I know, I am a morbid soul) and not an American (no offence folks, but this is the tube we’re talking about…) and oh, OH, it’s a gem. Funny but not when it shouldn’t be, and excellent for while you’re cooking.

House, 1985 - a worthy chunk of mid 80s horror spoof with Norm from Cheers and the curly haired blond bloke who took Carrie to the prom. Someone had a lot of fun in the latex/props/costumes department on this. Plus, it’s 90 minutes long which, as we all know, is how long films should be.

The Left Hand of Darkness - my first journey into the worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, and I loved it. I didn’t think I would, I can’t be dealing with fantasy normally, but now I see that written down that seems entirely ridiculous because isn’t that what all stories are anyway? Sort yourself out, Beth.

Right folks, I’ve got a bathroom ceiling that won’t paint itself, more’s the pity. See you next time (oh, NOW would have been a good time for that marigolds dance drawing wouldn’t it?)

Beth x