Brave New World
Was I premature?
Did that fail?
Actually, I am right on time, and that was just the wake up call I needed.
Renting this studio space in Saint Ouen for the last 3 months was such an eye opener for several things I did not know before:
Saint Ouen is too far away - I need a creative space that is nearer to home, otherwise I would rather just create at home
Sharing a space with other creatives is great, but not ones that make a mess (however beautiful!): There was dust everywhere, plaster, I think I need a cleaner visual landscape
Despite my love of tidiness, I also really want a space that I can keep “messy” i.e. do not have to tidy away my paints and brushes all the time, as I do at home! An organised mess
From a creative standpoint, the Feng Shui was not quite there - I can do better with more experience, and I shall keep looking for spaces that resonate with me and my practice
I believed that I needed bigger space as my Clarins artworks were created at home but it felt complicated - actually, they were created at home, and that’s that! It worked!
There were only 2 sets of keys for 4 people - not ideal, as I am often away during the weekdays for work, and I want to create at night or on weekends, so = not compatible
The main reason I left was actually because they were increasing prices, which is just daft. I can definitely find a space for that price within Paris, plus, I am no longer in a hurry!
Final reason, plus I love the number 8: I was hardly there. Most of my time is spent between Geneva and Paris, plus I will be in London for a month in Dec-Jan, so. What’s next?
Applying to open calls, residencies, prizes, galleries, and basically ACTING on all the thoughts that run rampant through my head but that I never dared to act on! While I did not get Poush this time around (although this is only the first time I applied), there are all the others: Artagon, Openbach, and I have not even started looking at London-based places.
Plus, what’s next? With all the upcoming shows, I need to focus on creating a new collection, or two!
December 2025: Lincoln Raum Gallery
January-February 2026: New show in Le Marais - Rue Chabanais, Rue des Gravilliers, maybe Rue de Turenne
March 2026: Low residency in London
March-April: My next show at Artivistas with The Norm
June: NHS Tavistock for Pride Month
June: A potential big cosmetics brand collaboration with The Norm
June-July: Hopefully TBC the two key institutions in Paris as mentioned to Jonathan
September-October: Potentially something exciting during Art Basel week, in discussions
& Moooooooore!
