Avoiding the news

It was a good weekend, despite the fact that four good friends who were due to come to the exhibition couldn’t, all because of different, individual, emergency medical situations. How odd is that? 

But I had some interesting conversations, not just about the paintings, but about the PAINTING, if you see what I mean. 

And this painting sold:

This morning I am despairing over Starmer. What a dud.

We need leadership and inspiration, compassion and moral courage, not deaf, intransigent, more-of-the-same blah. 

I suppose it’s good news about the Labour Party conference voting - despite Starmer’s best effort at blocking it - that yes, it is a genocide, and the U.K. should be acting appropriately.

Led by Donkeys unfurled this banner outside Parliament last year

And looking at the news…why are outsiders going to be in charge of Palestine? What about Palestinians? 

I could go on railing about the news forever, but I want to enjoy my day, so…I shall have a bike ride, make a lasagne for our next refugee hospitality day, and start a new painting.

The sun rises in spite of everything.

Almost ready!

We’re almost ready for the weekend exhibition of this last year’s paintings. Dave did a sterling job as always of helping me display them. I really couldn’t do it as well without him and I’m not just talking about the practical jobs. He has a great eye for display.

Here are the two room set up and ready:

I wish you were all coming.It would be so nice to meet you all!

The Flotilla

 It is hard to find news of the Global Sumud Flotilla (the flotilla of steadfastness) sailing across the Mediterranean with aid for Gaza. I always have to search for it. Why is that?

Yesterday they were harassed again by drones and explosions and the jamming of their communications. But the good news is that Italy and now Spain have sent frigates to assist them. The flotilla will be entering dangerous waters soon, where previous attempts to reach Gaza have been stopped by the Israelis. The latter’s actions are so far outside international law already that I can’t think anything would stop them from physically harming the people on board the ships in the flotilla. These are ordinary people, trying to break the siege. Trying to shame their governments into taking effective action to stop the genocide.

Earlier in the week there was a general strike in Italy in support of Gaza. Did you hear about that? Why are these events not headlines? Ordinary people all over the world want their leaders to act to stop the genocide, and their leaders do zilch. What is wrong with them? Why do they tolerate so many crimes committed by Israel? I am outraged and sickened by their lack of compassion, and their lack of moral courage. 

While Rome burns

 I feel a little bit awkward this week, writing about domestic stuff, while Israel continues its barbarous persecution of Palestinians, but I personally need to read things that bring light relief at the moment so perhaps you do too.

I am feeling nervous about the upcoming exhibition. I don’t know why, when I haven’t been the last two times. Perhaps it’s because only one of the siblings seems to like my paintings and they’ve just been on a visit. Perhaps it’s because two of my biggest fans can’t come this year. Perhaps it’s because I am feeling old and things seem to get harder the older you get. 

Dave persuaded me to buy some more display stands to augment the ones I already have, and they are arriving this morning between 10.51 and 12.51. (!)

Dave said he’d assemble them as soon as they got here, and I suggested we wait till Friday. 

He said “We’ll do it today so you will have them assembled even if I die between now and Saturday.”

He was being serious.

I said: “If you are dead I shan’t be having the exhibition, you doofus.”

He said: “ I hope you will!”

This is what it’s like living with an Aspie.

My painting stuff, all tidied up.

OK

 Hello, friends. My kind big sister texted me yesterday to ask if I was OK because the blog has been quiet. I am OK. I’ve just been having a break.

I welcome the news that the U.K. has finally recognised the state of Palestine. I wish they had done it years ago.

More than this - oh so much more than this - I wish they would take some concrete action to stop the genocide. 

That’s all I am going to say about the issue today.

This coming weekend I have my art exhibition, and I thought you might like to see some of the paintings that will be on display. Here they are. They are all in acrylics and fairly large. Most of them are for sale.

Not for sale

Not for sale

Not for sale

Not for sale

The latest

The Sibs (my brothers and sisters) have been staying in the Peak District for a few days, which is why I haven’t blogged. I’ve been too busy having a lovely time. How lucky we are that we love each other enough to want to get together every year.

One place we visited together was Haddon Hall, a medieval Manor House, which has been the backdrop to several films, including my favourite version of Jane Eyre, with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska.

Spot Kath sitting in the courtyard:

And here are the four of them, with Pete and Jonty looking for fish in the river:

Meanwhile in London, there has been another mass demo about Palestine Action, with over 800 people arrested for sitting quietly, holding placards, saying: 

I OPPOSE GENOCIDE. I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION. 

One person there was Sue Parfitt.

And the Global Sumud Flotilla (Flotilla of Steadfastness) taking aid to Gaza by sea, has been attacked by a drone for the second time.

I just found this message from a Palestinian in Gaza, sent to the Flotilla:

And as if the genocide were of no importance, our Prime Minister is today hosting Isaac Herzog, the Israeli president, who has supported the actions of war criminal Nethanyahu, and has stated, amongst other lies, that Israel is not starving Palestinians. The world weeps… while political leaders of the world, with only a few exceptions, look in the other direction. 

Sitting in bed

It is 8.30 am and I am still in bed and feeling guilty I’m not up and about and busy, and neither am I reading important articles about refugees. 

Liz just texted me a photo of some ferns she saw on a walk yesterday and asked if I’d ever painted ferns, and I said “Yes!”

I put this painting in my last exhibition and there was little interest in it.

It currently lives on the landing, and every single time I come up the stairs I see it and think “I like you!” So I think I will keep it.

This painting is very popular and although I think it’s a good painting, I shan’t be sad if someone buys it. 

I have recently been looking at old photographs and came across this one of me that Isaac took, we think in about 1987. I love it!

This post has turned into a picture post, so here to finish is a photo of my friend Karen, the Aging Hippie who lives in California, on a Labor day demo. After it there is a clip from our texts to show the context.

Exhibition!

I’m having an exhibition of my latest paintings here at home, in a few weeks time. I’m inviting friends and family and regular blog readers whose names I know. 

The dates are:

Saturday September 27th   2 - 4

Sunday  September  28th   1 - 4 

Dave will be serving tea and cake, and there will be greetings cards of my paintings on sale in aid of Medical Aid for Palestinians.

If you’re a regular blog reader and would like further details, please message me on Instagram (@sue.hepworth)  or send me a private message on Bluesky (suehepworth.sky.social) using the Chat icon. I don’t publish my address on the blog.

Public transport around here - as in most rural areas - is very scant, so you’d probably need to come by car.