Galleries, Country Walks and Nights Out

Mum had work exhibited at Surface Gallery for the abstract show and it was awesome seeing her pieces on a gallery wall after everything she's navigated this year. She chose to show the two pieces I mentioned a few blogs ago, the PreTSD and liver, which are super close to her story at the moment. Which we were super proud of and   She For the opening show our cousin, her partner and her daughter joined me, my sister and mum for the launch night, all of us are so proud of her putting herself out there and look forward to seeing more of work.

There's something about a walk in the Dales that resets everything, a little windswept and a bit knackered but completely reset by the end of it. Fresh air that feels good on the face, big rolling hills, stone walls tracing the Derbyshire landscape. I went out with a good friend, pram in tow for a walk countryside walk and we were probably slightly ambitious about the route and slightly underprepared for the mud. Anyhoo bit muddy but at the end of the walk we found a cute little pub to stop by and have a pint at but because we had the Conch with us we were not allowed inside… so sat outside from some more fresh air.

It was also so good to see another friend who was back in town (from Alaska) and one of the coolest people I know, casually researching grizzly bears and flying around in helicopters like it's the most normal job in the world. Different continents, same slightly chaotic, passionate energy. Having a night out with Shannon and Amelia felt like stepping back into that chapter swapping field stories, laughing about logistics disasters, and a lot of Moet darling… We met at University here in Nottingham doing our Masters degrees, all of us orbiting different corners of the wildlife world.

And in a strange parallel, I've now DJed in public, well twice, actually! The first time felt like stepping off a cliff in, and I was so shy I couldn't even face the audience! I genuinely had my back to them. The second time, I settled into it more, started to trust my selections and read the room. It's funny how life mirrors itself sometimes. Mum putting her abstract work out into the world which she has always been very shy about, and me putting sound out into a room. Both of us choosing visibility, believing in ourselves, and seeing what happens.