It’s April Fools!!! The 1st April and I am launching my new website today – and that’s not a joke, though I may be the fool!
Firstly, big thanks to Steven Prinsloo, my site designer, for his creativity and patience. It’s not easy designing for an artist and especially this one!
Secondly, thank you for your patience during this last year while I’ve been on the back burner, recouping from breast cancer and a good few doses of chemotherapy. I am finally “awakening” from my years sabbatical. 2018, my 50th year, was a huge learning curve in life. I can’t quite say I needed breast cancer to jolt me into my new reality, but it certainly did come and shake me up. Although I did paint last year, the subject matter, was more about my journey, with small daily sketches of my new “chemo” look. Sketching daily self portraits gave me a huge sense of power, realising that I was staring the disease in the eye and determined to take from it, all I could in order to grow and learn. It was a little like a jostling match – Cancer vs JJ… the main lesson seems to be to “breath” and of course “mindfulness”. An on-going process of engagement with my innermost scattered self. Strangely, this has given me the time and gentle space to just BE . I would like to say I’m stronger than ever, but that’s work in progress…. slowly slowly, I’m getting into more and more entrenched in my studio and my creative time…. and embracing it!
I have set myself 2 big challenges this year, one being an exhibition at the Simbithi Country Club, on 28th August till 1st September but the main one being my participation at the XIIth Florence Biennale in 18th – 27th October. I am currently working flat out for the Florence Biennale, as images of pieces are required by the end of April. These exciting challenges are certainly giving me a kick-butt!
I have also managed to squeeze in 2 portrait workshops in May, which I am looking so forward to. Dates are
- 6&7 May @ Giverny Studio, Midlands, KZN, South Africa
- 15&16 May @ Simbithi Country Club, Shakas Rock, KZN, South Africa (for more information on workshops please contact me)
Forever learning, forever creating…to heal on all levels,
thank you and warm wishes
Jane Digby (JJ)
PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE
hello@jjdigby.com and/or digbyartist@icloud.com
