Please excuse my tardiness in writing recently, but I’ve been on a roll work-wise, and was afraid I’d lose momentum and come to an abrupt halt!!! It happens; and it is crippling when it does.

I am presently on my ninth new piece, the last two etchings being twice the size of the previous ones, so progress has been slower. But I took time out to do the ice bucket challenge and to see the fantastic exhibition, Art of the Troubles, at the Ulster Museum. I actually thought I’d missed it, and got to see it on the second last day! It is extremely powerful and really should travel to venues in Dublin and London - especially in light of the 2oth anniversary of the IRA cease-fire.

I was nominated for the ice bucket challenge by Alice Murphy and Marcus, the long-suffering-husband. Marcus had been nominated too so we decided we’d do something bit different; we dressed for the occasion. Marcus Bond-like and I like Morticia from the Adams Family. As I had casually asked a few people would they mind being nominated and got a firm “NO!” I decided instead to dedicate my challenge rather than loose all my friends. I dedicated it to a friend called Jacko, who sadly died from this dreadful disease a number of years ago. There are videos of both challenges on Face book and it is here that you will spot how unequal the challenge was. A dainty ice bucket versus a large bucket with an almost industrial amount of ice/water!!!! And you can probably guess who got the short straw as usual….

I also hope to get over to London for the National Original Print Exhibition which opens on 16th September.

...