Stunning asylums

Stephen Fry celebrates his 53rd birthday today. I can't help being a stupendously massive fan. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/mpd/permalink/m2IA89RVLCF66Z

As one of the faces of the charity "Time to Change" - www.time-to-change.org.uk/ (see below, at the very bottom of this page) I have great respect and empathy for him - for anyone - who has experienced any kind of mental health hell or discrimination.

That bashing-bouncing, steel ball-bearing in the Pinball Machine of the brain, that rips and thrashes - a whirling dervish, overwhelming every corner of your system, never leaving you alone for just one minute to try and gently gather your few remaining papery thoughts. Nauseating fear.

Sometimes help can be at hand. Maybe in the form of 24 hours drug-enforced sleep. A four mile walk in the rain. A large packet of chocolate HobNobs and a mighty strong cup of Joe. A soft, still, silent cuddle. Or a swirling, screaming rant after a few hefty, ice-cold G+T's.

You know what I mean, don't you?

In the meantime, check out the film/photos/book - from these two - Matt McDonough and Christopher Payne. Colourful, surprisingly unscary, poignant,empty, yet beautiful images.

http://nyti.ms/b2f39b
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/matt-mcdonough-visits-mental-asylums
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/asylum/

Approaching the 'embers

It is still only august, but the autumn 'embers seem to be approaching fast.

Dare I mention that crispy, snowy, red and white twinkly word...? (...Christmas......ssshhhhh....)

Alongside decorated boxes, cards, bunting, jars of treasures, crotchet/knitted items, - gifts of all kinds - here is another bit of produce from the studio.

These little books have proved very popular in the past. They may feature again this year in my "Last Minute Xmas Sale" ...tba soon, - possibly beginning of Nov...ember...