Friday 1 April 2011

On my way to the USofA

Life has been crazy lately, hence my lack of blogging, with lots of very late nights and early mornings, trying to get everything done.

I'm sitting here waiting to be collected by my good friend Nic Collins. We head off this afternoon to Uppingham and the Goldmark Gallery, where Nic's exhibition opens tomorrow. It was a great privelige for me to be asked to write the essay for the catalogue, if you'd like to have look, click here. I saw the pots before they were dispatched, they're amazing.

My friend and fellow potter Paul Young wrote this of Nic in an email to me this morning, 'Nic is probably the finest potter of his generation, his work carries a strength and confidence far beyond the parameters of anything being made today.' He's absolutely right about that. I'll be meeting Paul there, it'll good to see him.

Here's an extract from the film that has been made to accompany the event.


From Uppingham, my journey continues, via my parents', to London, where I'll meet up with Hannah, then Heathrow and on to the USA. My bags are packed and I'm filled with excitement and trepidation. For a long time I've been putting it to the back of my mind. I spend my days alone in a shed in the middle of nowhere, so the prospect of being in front of a room full of people, doing what I do, is pretty scary.

I'm going to try and get back in the blogging groove and I'll share the journey. I've never been away from my family for a month before, it's going to be very strange, but thankfully the internet will help us to speak to each other, albeit virtually.

If you follow this link, you'll be able to see pictures of some of the stuff that's been happening in recent days. Check out the amazing sgrafitto harvest jug, decorated by the super talented, Andrew 'Frank' Grundon.

I have a couple of exhibitions in the UK while I'm away,
Slip at the Ruthin Craft Centre, 2nd April - 12th June
Artists of the South West, Long Room Gallery, Winchcombe, Gloucs, 9th - 17th April

Well I'm off to check that my passport is in my bag. I'll post some pictures from Nic's show soon.

Bye for now

10 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

you will do great and the USA is waiting for you and happy to have you!

doug Fitch said...

Bless you Meredith :-)

Still scared though!

Tracey Broome said...

Safe travels Doug. Everyone around here is pretty laid back and easy to be with, should be a pretty chill event for you. Hope to get to Ron's to at least say hello, but I have two shows that week, we'll see....

doug Fitch said...

Thanks Tracey, I'm hoping to see you - I have a Love Daddies cd specially for you :) - maybe that's not such a good thing?! ;)

Ron said...

Say Hello to Nic and Paul for me. Safe travels. Don't forget to breathe. See ya soon.

Anna M. Branner said...

Safe travels and NO worries allowed. Looking forward to meeting you in VA. Love Daddies CD? My husband will be jealous.

Hollis Engley said...

We've got beds ready here on Cape Cod for you and Hannah. Yours is up in the room with the guitar hanging from the wall, so you'll have something to do that's not pot-related. See you soon, Doug.

Jude said...

wow...all the very best and enjoy every minute!!!
Skye is wonderful to keep in contact..I certainly would not be with out it...
lease kee blogging, I'll be glued to you blog space waiting ....
Take care
Jude

Becky said...

No need to be concerned, Doug. You'll feel right at home I can promise you! Looking forward to meeting you and Hannah and Ang on the 23rd! Heck, I'm probably more nervous about it than you!!!! Safe travels & see you soon!

jbf said...

It's all been said, but bears repeating: Can't wait to see you all on the 23rd. Safe travels and relax, you're visiting another chapter of your fan club. :8^)