QoL: Exhibition space offered

[BrentW]

I have been developing skills as a watercolour and mixed media artist for well over a year now, with the last year being under the tutelage of an art therapist. She has been so impressed with my progress that she approached a gallery in Aberaeron, Wales, that is launching a new major show in early February. They have some spare wall space (about 2 m by 3 m) and have offered me use of it. I am the first to shout out, 'It's not what you know, it's who you know,' but am going to take up the offer anyway. It will be a good learning experience as to how one exhibits, a chance to tell something of my story with PCa, and an opportunity to exhort other people to get tested for cancer, though principally prostate and breast.

I have attached a recent painting (I don't know if I have shown it before) that I intend to include.

Meanwhile, Jacqui (my wife and carer) is looking increasingly ragged. This coming Wednesday I have a day at the hospice. I am going to lay it on thick as to how much she needs some respite care for me, so that she can indulge herself without having to watch my every move. I too will be able to relax.

I have little other news except for two items. The first is that I have been in the throes of a chest infection these past weeks that has prevented me from doing much at all. Every time I think it has passed, a new wave hits me, knocking me out for hours and inducing ages of sleep. What a bummer. My time feels too valuable for me to spend it in bed staring into space.

Second, I am suddenly being inundated with messages and e-mails from people -- mostly old friends, some ex-students -- wishing to visit. They have known for a long time that I have cancer. Now they seem to be hit by a desire to see me before I go down under. What to do? I am hoping that my ultimate demise will be aeons off, but I cannot know for sure. They, meanwhile, are needing to visit at their convenience. It feels, then, as though my time is becoming increasingly cramped. The last thing I want is for my dying words to be saying, 'Well, at least I got to see SDSDDS', when in fact I want to spend what time I can with my better half. Ho hum. An easy one to solve, I guess; I just need to learn to say No.

[Willydad]

This recent one is very good Brent. For a water colour your detail of the wall (keystones of the arch/gate etc.) is impressive, and as usual beautiful colours.

Regarding when everyone wants to pay a visit, it’s very awkward when you prefer to spend your time and energy elsewhere. Be selective with that. For non close friends messaging should suffice.

[zeitgeistxx]

Fantastic news on the exhibit!! I enjoy your art postings. Thank-you for sharing with us.

[Mcrpca]

Beautiful art. You’ll leave an amazing legacy. Please do learn to say “no” and enjoy yourself.

[HikerWife]

Congrats on the gallery space - take advantage and enjoy! Love this piece. I'm so sorry you've been hit by a succession of chest infections. I hope you're on the mend. My only suggestion re "the visitors" might be to have ONE time-limited gathering for a group of them - if they can't make it, too bad. I totally understand wanting to protect your time. All the best. Let us know how the exhibit goes.

[hopeful1956]

Brent, I LOVE those colours! See only folks that you want to see. Jacqui needs a break for sure for her own health and well being.

[Kaliber]

well I’m very impressed with this one … you are growing - learning and it shows in your beautiful technique / work. Wow buddy ….. really kewl. Congratulations are in order. Keep it up.

That’s definitely a conundrum ….all the invasiveness into your personal time / space. Both the hammer and myself are the same. It’s great to be so popular / loved that people want to say Hi and Goodbye, but imho you are right , your better half … and children ( if any ) are your core importance at this time of your life. No one could fault you for saying “ no “ or “ maybe later “ etc. . … it is nice to be so popular tho. Yayay yayayay yayay

Love you big guy, you are our resident artist …. Kewl.

❤️❤️❤️

[j-o-h-n]

Just tell them you have a new contagious disease.......called Aseme ísycho.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 01/15/2024 4:20 PM EST

[Shams_Vjean]

Congrats on the artistic recognition. So well deserved! And I hope your more acute health issues resolve ASAP. If there is ever a time for you to be absolutely self-indulgent and also caring for those who are dearest to you, it is certainly now, IMHO.

Will there be an opening night for this exhibition at the gallery? Wouldn’t your adoring public(colleagues and past students) be delighted to be invited and see you then? That might just satisfy the need many of them are feeling for some ‘closure’ with you; and perhaps better discern which of them you’d like to spend a bit more time with while you still can. For anyone unable to clear their calendar for the event you can decide whether or not YOU need to see them sometime later AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.

Wishing you all the best, with deep gratitude for all that you’ve shared with us here Brent!

[garyjp9]

Congratulations on the exhibit space, Brent! Hope you soon beat the chest thing once and for all. G