On Resourcefulness, Resilience and Determination

'Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it,'

(Charles R Swindoll)

It’s hard to believe it was just two months ago that I wrote to you, elatedly, with news that we were able to restore our studio space to its former welcoming glory.

Take a look at what we’ve had to do now!

This time the situation is even worse, because we have had to take down all the wooden partitions that we put up to separate our spaces - there are six of us working down there. It’s all about local authority permissions and inspections - and how you can be told one thing by one person, then someone else comes along, and tells you that the information you were given is wrong.

So we’re hanging in again waiting, with bated breath, for the next jobs-worthy to come long and tell us ‘Yea’ or ‘Nay.’ We’ve been told that we could go in to use the space after official working hours, that is, after 3.00 p.m, but I wouldn’t even know where to find my brushes under that lot!

So, in the meantime I have brought home my box of tricks, my sketchbook and a block of watercolour paper, and continue to explore the forms and textures of my old olive tree in pen and ink mark-making. The drawings are not big - 22.5 x 15 cm - but each one of them has kept me absorbed for many hours. And as I work, one of Albrecht Dürer’s engravings is uppermost in my mind and my sense of awe for his skill and the fine quality of his work has reached new heights.

(https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Durero)

The other thing that is also on my mind is how to move beyond this phase of exploring the detail, into something more abstract, where less is more and yet still tells a story of a long life, rich in experiences.

If any of these drawings is something you would like to own do contact me, marylynne.stadler@gmail.com. Remember, too, that you can see all my work on my website, https://www.marylynnestadler.com/

where you will also find sizes and prices.I don’t have an active shop on the website but you can contact me by email , marylynne.stadler@gmail.com, if anything interests you.

A work of art makes a wonderful present for someone. With Christmas looming on the horizon, would this be something different to give that special person? Check it out before too long, to take into account any shipping times.

Oh, and if you are thinking of commissioning something to give as a Christmas gift, bear in mind that it does take time to create it, so place your orders soon - very soon!

Wishing you all the very best for the rest of September…here at home in San Lorenzo we are setting to in the garden now that the days are cooler…