It's only 8:00 a.m. and I've done chores, had tea and laid out what I think of as my first painting for my show next November. We'll see how that goes!

I've noticed a verrrry slow process lately. I get to my studio, do the first task of the day, whatever that may be, and then sit and contemplate the work or perhaps look at some other artist's work. Then I probably come back upstairs to have breakfast, a snack or do a doodle drawing. Then, back downstairs, going forth and back slowly throughout the day, building on the slow fire - a peat fire I think – burning beneath the surface, underground, almost undetectable and above all, slowly. It doesn't mean things don't get incendiary in the studio, because they definitely do. But such a build up lately. Such a requirement to listen and to be in alignment.

When I came upstairs today, I realized I had been very aware in a new way about the rectangle, the shape of the surface I am painting on.