Dear little jam tarts,

It’s May again, already.

I have tried to shove a few bulbs in the garden and attempt some weeding but happily, the driving rain has forced me back indoors.  I’m a hopeless gardener and any visitor to my home would testify that you can’t even see it for the overgrown front hedge.  If I walk across what is supposed to be the front ‘lawn’ I disappear down mysterious, ankle deep holes – I just don’t know where they oome from.

It’s not just the scruffy grass; other areas in my life are also in need of TLC.  For example, being an artist does tend to require a certain amount of time creating some art.  It has been 3 years since my last exhibition and the next one sits, just out of reach on the distant horizon.  I do occasionally remember what I do as a living and make the effort to visit my studio – I can announce that you will be seeing my next collection of original paintings in 2053.

Another painfully slow project keeping me from my easel is the book that I’ve been working on.  As you can tell from these occasional web wafflings, I’m not a gifted writer – but it was something I had to ‘get out of my system’.  Anyway, I’ve reached the last leg and currently limping towards the finish line on a pair of tired and bloodied stumps – I can hear a stampede of editors running away – but I will keep you updated!

The reason for all this slowdown is my own dear mammy.  I have been spending a lot of time caring for my mother, who suffers from dementia and it has been a very difficult time trying to manage the later stages of this appalling condition.   Anyone who has witnessed their loved one gradually (or suddenly) losing their mental capacity and physical function will know where we are at.   I see her every day, she is vulnerable and she needs me and, as much as I’d love to get up to my neck in shocking pink oil paint, I will make do with the odd dabble and daub.

In the meantime, as I inch towards various ends, don’t forget to give your own, special oldies a little squeeze; maybe even take them for a day out at the seaside.   And for heaven’s sake, make sure your hedges are trimmed.

Love,

SJ

New release: More tea, vicar?

A Christmas message from the Queen biscuit

My dearest loyal fig rolls,

I hope you have enjoyed a splendid time since we last met, all bonfires and vampires, empty trees and woolly pullies.

It’s that special time of year already, when we scoff the Quality Street far too early, then have to go back and buy another tin before Christmas. I, for one, have already murdered a chocolate orange. Read the rest…

Dearest little BBQ sausages,

It’s nearly over but what a summer! Admittedly, it was mostly in the earlier months but I can’t remember so many days of sunshine in years. 

 North Shields normally hosts a freezing, grey coastline but it has become almost…. ‘holidayesque’ !  I was suddenly seeing blue sky, and feeling a lovely warm breeze.   The normally infuriating seagulls are calling “come and buy chips……come and buy chips”!  Well, who am I to ignore avian instruction?….the birds have done very well for leftovers… and in a mood of sunshine induced joy, I have even rolled a cherry tomato towards a brazenly visible beach rat. Read the rest…

How’s your May going my little custard creams?

Mine’s is doing quite nicely thank you.    The sun is out,  the garden is growing,  I’ve had Pimms in a deckchair (v. posh)  to celebrate the bank holidays and only one downside I can detect,  are  the freckles on my face  giving me that unfortunate, unwashed appearance.  I know we are not supposed to sunbathe anymore but you can’t tell that to a child of the 70′s.  When I was a lass, we’d be in the scalding sun for 26 hours a day, with only a nylon tanktop and some cooking oil for protection.  Nowadays, I will occasionally stick a bit of cream on the fragile bits but I’m very slow to get my head around this whole business of the sun being bad for you.  However, don’t do as I do, kids, and get your factor 9000 on. Read the rest…

Hello hello!

It’s blowing a gale here in Northern England and the weather is generally behaving like the proverbial early March lion.  I can’t wait for the lamb to lead us out into sunny meadows.

I hope you are all keeping well and, to everyone who displayed interest or gave a loving home to my latest 3-d biscuit releases;  thank you! thank you! thank you! They may be the last for a little while as I pursue a few other projects. Read the rest…

Happy New Year folks,

We know that times are hard and art is sometimes viewed as a luxury, but if 2011 presents financial difficulties, or indeed any other type of difficulty -  remember – this is when the arts are at their most important.   Go to a gallery, listen to some music….dance!  Feed your soul and you will weather any storm. Read the rest…

For the last 6 months,  Sarah-Jane has been re-creating her hugely popular figures of ‘Smarty Pants’ and ‘Rude food’ in Sculpture format. Read the rest…

‘Bah Humbug!’   That’s my normal stance on Christmas.  I’ve never been good at this time of year.  I don’t like Turkey or shopping and I positively hate Slade screeching down my ears,   But Christmas 2010 feels slightly different,  It’s also my mammy’s birthday on the 25th and because she is poorly with Alzheimers disease,   I feel it is important to try and make a special effort this year.  I am even going to get a tree so I can  use my gingerbread man fairy lights. Read the rest…

Hello pumpkins,

Welcome to my little,  autumnal update.

It’s that time of year again, we must  battenburg down the hatches and steel our girdles against the coming season.   It’s dark, cold and it just doesn’t care.   In North Shields, the wool tights are already in service and the annual ceremony known as   ‘Installation of the electric blanket’  has taken place and  not a moment too soon either. Read the rest…