Grime Stories 31

A small note from the studio and beyond

I wanted to share a small piece of good news, alongside a more honest reflection of where things actually are at the moment. After three consecutive years of having work selected, I was invited to submit my portfolio to the Pastel Society and have been awarded Membership.

It’s something I’m grateful for, not least because of the weight of the society itself and its long history. It feels quietly significant, and I’m very aware that it brings with it a certain expectation, one I’m keen to grow into.

That said, the reality behind the scenes is a little less polished. This coming Sunday will be my first proper day off in nearly a month! which probably tells you everything about the current balance.

Finding the energy to sustain a personal practice alongside the demands of the working week continues to be the real challenge. There are canvases set up, source material ready, and a growing list of ideas - but also deadlines that have slipped by, somewhere between good intentions and exhaustion. It’s frustrating watching opportunities drift off.

The upside is that three weeks of space are just around the corner, and I’m looking forward to properly getting paint moving again. I’m also hoping to return to Dubai over Easter for a series of charcoal masterclasses, which should offer a different kind of energy and reset.

By the way, because everyone loves it, I thought I'd throw in some photos from a recent visit to the Barbican Centre at twilight

Thank you, as always, for following along - it genuinely makes a difference.