I started this substack last Monday and in true Lou fashion, I was feeling like a truer picture of my life presents itself on Thursday night at twenty past eight in the evening. Not a minute before, not a minute after.
The very first move I make every time I switch on my laptop no matter what I’m about to do is one of concrete tradition…Actually it’s more than a tradition, it’s more like an engrained lou-ism! Can you guess what I do? Many will get this right… Yes I switch on music. Music really is the soundtrack to my life and no matter my mood, no matter my focus, music must be my company. Tonight it’s one of my go-to playlists to start as I need extra energy booming through my speakers….My favourite 70’s collection.
Abba kicks it off - giving me the vibes and nostalgia feels that I’m on a wedding dance floor…thankfully at this moment I am not….My wedding day invites are thankfully fulfilled - you know how you go through that mad phase of going to weddings…and at the time you enjoy them immensely but then comes a time where you are gladly no longer on anyone’s wedding list haha ;) It’s not just me is it? I must be getting old….oh hey I am actually haha ;) And I love it…..Granny Nancy the second is on the way ;)
As I type my energy is focused that I need to share what is on my mind and also time is sensitive. It’s twenty two minutes past eight now haha ;) and I’m hoping I won’t need to be up all night getting jobs done…..
So I guess you are wondering what are you up to Lou? Well that is fine question to ask. Right this moment I am surrounding by paintings galore, all different sizes, frames also keeping me company - all different sizes and shares, pens, markers, sellotape, scissors, twine, a very organised collection of multi purpose hooks (I think this means I’m officially an adult) and a million others bits and bobs.
As I type this, I am taking a break from my other focus. That focus is preparing for a huge weekend ahead. I have been fortunate enough to be invited to display my art in market called ‘Artist in Session’ in the town of Mullingar, County Westmeath. This town is about 15/20 minutes away from my home and I love Mullingar. It is one of my favourite places and as I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, the world’s largest Irish music festival is taking place in Mullingar this week and finishes on Sunday.
Since my painting career (if I can even refer to it as that) rose to attention only in the last number of weeks….I do feel like a bit of an amateur in this artist field but in my heart I know it is one of my homes. And why I feel that, is fuelled by the reaction I’ve received from people towards my paintings. They smile. They instantly say ‘wow I love this one’ and I must work hard to keep those thoughts at the forefront of my mind. Once I keep my focus leaning into my heart, I will never be led astray so in thinking twice about my loose artists shoes, I bend down and tie my laces. It’s time to take these shoes and step into them lou! So here I go.
As you are reading this newsletter, I am most likely setting up or set up in Mullingar with my art all on displayed (fingers and toes crossed). The Fleadh (pronounced FLA) is in my opinion the best festival in the world. It’s like a music festival without the mud, the welly boots or the drunk people. Instead it’s children, families, hotels, pubs, business and thousands of people walking freely around the town listening to live music, singing, laughing and smiling at each other and all for FREE. I’ve spent the whole week in amongst people I love and mostly people I have never met before. The Fleadh are expecting close to half a million people to visit this year so this opportunity to display my art really is a special gift. I received this good news on Tuesday evening - on the 8th of the 8th…..Lions Gate Portal was open for business if you’re into astrology like myself and I really felt this was a gift and a half from somewhere beyond the stars.