WRITING WRONGS

I can’t believe it takes two hours to put addresses on 30 envelopes. I would have been much more productive in my studio for that length of time, but getting invites out to clients for next week’s art fair is essential.

People’s handwriting is terrible, though. I can barely make out their names from my visitors’ book at the last exhibition. In future I’ll write them down myself. Deciphering scrawls is the last thing I need in the week before the three biggest days of my art calendar.

I’m starting to get the jitters, so I’ll have to talk to Michael Morris, my artist son. I need his critical comment on the 30 pieces I have earmarked for the fair. I’m happy with 90% of my work, but need reassurance on the rest.

I book highlights and a French manicure for next week. I also decide what I’m wearing for the three days of the show, always one of the most difficult jobs. Day one: black knitted frock coat with black T-shirt, black velvet narrow pants and lace-up boots. Day two: black frock coat, white soft ruffled shirt, tailored black trousers and mid-heeled short boots. Day three: black polo, black tailored trousers, large knitted camel scarf and booties.

It will certainly make a change from artist’s smock, hands coloured by oil paints and perfumed with turps and linseed oil.

OUT WEST

Get a call from the west: the actor Brendan Gleeson may want to rent our house in Spiddal, which overlooks the river estuary. Pack the car quickly and get over there pronto to give the place a smarten up and get rid of the cobwebs. This excitement takes my mind off the stress of the art fair.

Johnny, my husband, chats during the car journey about Spiddal’s great tradition of film and music. John Ford (Johnny’s godfather), Laurence Olivier, Tyrone Power and John Wayne were regular visitors. Ford’s family came from Spiddal. Our little gate lodge (like a gingerbread house) was the birthplace of the band De Dannan, and musicians including Phil Lynott and Mary Bergin stayed there. The Waterboys recorded an album across the road in Spiddal House.

We pass some signs for the Maam Cross fair. Sadly we’ve just missed it. We stop for petrol in the village and bump into a few of the stars of Ros na Run, TG4’s popular soap. We also pass the family home of the Seoige girls on our way to Glenlosh in the Maam Valley, home of a dear friend, the wildlife artist Richard Ward.

We have tea and home-made goodies from his wife Wendy and hear tales of otters in the garden pond, badgers in the shrubbery, a giant stag down by the river and pine martens in the roof of a neighbouring cottage.

We say farewell and head back to Spiddal for dinner by the turf fire and bed.

RISING SON

Early start back to Dublin next morning, stopping in Galway at the Kenny Gallery, where Tom charms us with his amazing stories. When will he write his book? He has good news for me; a number of my paintings have sold. I breathe a sigh of relief. People still like my work.

Rod, my composer and sound-designer son, is going to update my website. We catch his latest Eircom monster ad on the telly around the Six One News. So proud of him. Going to take the boys to lunch tomorrow in town.

I pick up a copy of this month’s VIP magazine and am relieved a feature on me has turned out well. I’m not photogenic at all so I’ve been dreading publication date. I go home to package my painting for the Hunt Museum’s forthcoming exhibition and address more envelopes with invitations.

A DOG’S LIFE

Seafie, my darling dog, has to get her stitches out tomorrow. She was spayed last week and had a bit of dental work too. She’s a rescue dog who escaped from being permanently staked to the one spot with thick chains.

She found me seven years ago and, even though she had no social skills, she has come around so well and is adored by us all. You’ll rarely see her face in photos because she’s camera shy, but her bottom is regularly featured, exiting frame rapidly.

The vet visit goes well. Is it just me or are vets getting younger and more handsome?

Thelma Mansfield will be exhibiting at Art Fair 09 at the RDS, Friday to Sunday

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