It is how it is and I have given up planning. There isn’t much point in wishing it otherwise so really I am concentrating on making the most of every day aren’t you?

I would love to hear how you navigate through. Do post in the comments.

I am walking a long walk each day (unless it’s really wet – I confess a tendency toward fair weather walking!) and busying myself with artwork – some large oil painting when I can get to the studio and a lot of small sketchbook work and trials with materials.

I have also enjoyed making some short films – here is one celebrating the faces in West Park, Wolverhampton. This is a space where I am allowed to go for exercise. Who know there were so many faces there!

I have called it West Park Ghazal which is becasue it sits alongside a poem in this form that I made on a workshop with Emma Pursehouse and Steve Pottinger last week as part of the Boundary Way Project. Emma is the poet laureate of Wolverhampton – do look her up she’s insightful, poignant and humerous. She features in Wolverhampton Literature Festival next month. I might be performing for the first time on February 14th – eek!

West Park Ghazal
In West Park the sun is lower – om shanti
The mist obscures at an early hour – om shanti

Ice sheets crackle in blue chipped wonder
The tiny moorhen, a struggling rower – om shanti

Geese sliding comically on landing
Webbed feet losing control and power – om shanti

Trees drip fog drops to the slippery paths
Azalea buds with a promise of flower – om shanti

I pity the birds, the struggle for food
A leaf too tough and a berry too sourrrr – om shanti

I give thanks for my lot
at this early hour – om shanti.

– Clare Wassermann Jan 2021

and here was the day itself – wasn’t it beautiful?

Workshops

I have been enjoying teaching both meditation sessions and art online. If you would like to join one I have :
Wolf Town Art Club – next session is Sunday lunchtime on February 21st – here are the details on Eventbrite. 2 hours of fun for £5.80 – cheaper than Sunday lunch.

Meditation sessions are available through Gatis Community Centre – look for Mindfulness, Meditation and Wellbeing – they take place on Tuesday nights online. These are free for now.

Also at Boundary Way monthly meditation, movement and mindfulness sessions in January, February and March on a Monday morning at a very reasonable £2.50. We are lucky to have been awarded funding for this work.

Walking

Meanwhile I continue to walk and draw when possible outside – in itslef a very mindful activity – ages can pass and I can be almost completely frozen solid before I notice my body!!

More poetry and film

I discovered Haiflu today too.

Created by Spoken Word Artist Liv Torc and supported by Forward Arts Foundation, National Poetry Day, the British Library and Arts Council England

Featuring over 600 contributions from all over the UK and beyond and told through stunning weekly film instalments. This is not just lockdown art, it’s a historical record of human beings and society in the midst of great change. Here is the website and there’s a great Facebook page too if you like short poetry and film. It’s all very current.

Best wishes to all of you out there – stay mindful, warm and well.

love – Clare