For me the hard part comes in leaving what has been behind.
I know that does make sense.
Humans strive to create; whether it's buildings, relationships, communities, ideas, books, paintings, arts, music or whatever.
In leaving a place, group of peoples or community behind, I inevitably leave the foundations of my creative efforts incomplete.
What's more, my need for connection was intertwined with what I've created in that place and being in a new place leaves an empty space, as yet devoid of my creative endeavours!
It is that emptiness which is my struggle; with what and with whom do I fill it with?
How do I go forth afresh, courageously and with no hint of grief, when the very process of starting again is inevitably one that involves cutting myself off from what was?
I don't know the answers but I suppose it is by coming to see the emptiness as a blank canvas, one which I will fill with a beautiful drawing or painting!
In North London, I don't have a blank canvas and I'm glad of that.
I have the beginnings of an artwork formed by a few ties of my life so far.
I'm creating connections with the buildings, communities, ideas and most importantly, with the people around me.
Using the ties of what is present at hand and the hope of what will come, I'll try to fill my 'North London-canvas' with life, love and happiness.
