Twenty minutes at the time

Learning, exploring, growing, twenty minutes at the time...

After a time of really doubting how I could possibly go further within the experience of worsening symptoms,  I had to peek into my bag of tricks again...  staying within my limits even if this seemed very, very tight.  Re-adjusting.  Again. Finding new ways.  Asking for more help.

It took a very long time to reach that point of acceptance again. I got there.

"Twenty Minute Bird" 44x30x20cm
 Corina Duyn 2014

During this time I started working on a bird sculpture. A freedom bird.  20 minutes at the time. It took me five months, but here she is. For now she is called my "Twenty minute Bird".  I am open to suggestions of a better title!

"Twenty Minute Bird"- detail Corina Duyn 2014

"Twenty minute bird" is available for €295, but with the understanding that the sculpture is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it, please email me

During the past few months I also kept trying to find ways to do my writing within the given limits. To be honest had given up on my book project about a month ago. I just couldn't do it.  The amount of work scared me.

Until...

I went back to Dechen Shying. Remember the place of extraordinary beauty and generosity?

After almost deciding not to travel, I was encouraged by Dechen Shying staff and friends to go. 

I did go, and so glad I did!

Dechen shying- from Room 4. Watching the ever changing light.

Again I found peace with my state of being.

Met some wonderful people.

Slept a lot. Rested even more, wrapped in a blanket, sitting in my beloved recliner chair in the conservatory, doors open, overlooking the ever-changing light over the sea.

And... to my great  relief,  I found a way to do my writing again.  Partially inspired by the people I met, and their reactions to my books and art; partly by the Prayer flags over to courtyard near the Shrine Room; partly as a reaction to a sculpture I had started (more about that some other time) but also because I was at ease with myself at this wonderful place in West Cork.

Thank you all who made this happen!

My deepest gratitude to you all! 

Prayer Flags over the courtyard by the Shrine Room
at Dzogchen Beara

I won't tell you as yet what the book is going to look like, but I am very excited and I am working on it most days, 20 minutes at a time.

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Bounce! Arts Festival in Belfast

I won't be able to go to the Bounce! Arts Festival, but if you get there I so love to hear!!

from ADF/Bounce! "One of us will die"
What happens when a British comedian and an Australian actress fall in love,
get married and combine their skills and sharp wit?

The following information supplied by Arts and Disability Forum:

The Bounce! Arts Festival Weekender is the Arts & Disability Forum’s annual arts festival showcasing outstanding work by professional writers, directors, actors, dancers and musicians, all of whom are disabled and deaf.

Look out for new theatre work showcasing phenomenally talented artists, starting with a dynamic physical theatre performance from local company Blue Chevy called @Shadow Dancing with My Spirit’ (Thursday 28^thAugust); intimate stories about disability and body image in ‘If These Spasms could Speak’ from Robert Softley (Friday, 29^th August); ‘One of Us Will Die’ a bold stand-up show from Gareth Berliner and Kiruna Stamell (Saturday, 30^th August); and a poignant and humorous encounter with Alzheimer’s in ‘Let Me Stay’ from Julie McNamara (Saturday 31^st August).

There’s music from RoI singer-songwriter, Dylan Tighe (Friday 29^th August) and local singer-songwriter Jim McClean (Sunday 31^st August). Plus two family-friendly matinees, ‘Cirque de Ghoules’ (Saturday 30^th August) and ‘Pirate & Parrot’ (Sunday 31^st August).

Telling personal stories is a running theme throughout the festival and Tenx5 (Friday 31^st August) will extend this by sharing true-life, ten minute stories from five ordinary people around a common theme of ‘Welcome’.

Also on offer are workshops in a range of areas - from Dirty Amp electronic sound, to a theatre masterclass with Robert Softley, a chance to learn circus skills with Streetwise Community Circus and a short-form poetry session, ‘Think Small’ with Colin Dardis..

Bounce! is about resilience and bouncing back in hard times. The festival will suit anyone with an open mind, an appreciation of artistic talent and a sense of humour. Expect new experiences and new stories with an edge of frisson.

Click on Bounce! for full program details

For tickets: 

Buy online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

Tel 028 9038 1081

E boxoffice@lyrictheatre.co.uk

For more detailed information:

www.adf.ie

Tel 028 9023 9450

E info@adf.ie

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) 

but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Beasts of Lismore, and other creative events

Some of the artistic events happening in Lismore this month:

I had the pleasure of meeting the artist Nicky Deeley recently in my home and studio. Nicky created an immersive experiential event involving the history, architecture, public spaces, and inhabitants of the village of Lismore. 

'The Beasts of Lismore' follows whispers of narrative trails and takes the audience on a mythical ramble through castles, follies, unfinished bridges, bottomless lakes,  mossy corners and windswept crags to find proof of the beasts existence... 

Follow the Beasts of Lismore's tracks with the self guided tour starting at St. Carthage Hall behind the Lismore Heritage Centre. Many locals, adults and children were involved in this project.

One of the "Beasts" is standing proud in my window for the duration of the event

Another creative event for the month of August is the Lismore Craft Collective a partnership between creative artisans with property owners who had vacant spaces for use. LISMORE CRAFT COLLECTIVE is the first iteration of this partnership and the first step in the Main Street Regeneration Initiative to bring life back to the heart of the town for locals and visitors alike.

The collective is made up five creative artisans from the region, JOAN CASEY – Mosaic & Felt Making, LEN CANTON – Leatherwork, JANE JERMYN – Ceramics, MORITZ SCHURMANN – Jewellery Design, and EUGENE YOUNG – Iona Crystal, each of whom will be displaying and selling their work, some which will be made while in residency. 

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) 

but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you And thanks for stopping by.

tapestries that tell a story

Weaving is still something I love doing, after the initial excitement of learning of the for me new art. See here for the very first post about weaving

I thought, I'll put all I have done so far together on the one page.

So, here they are!

Weaving. Corina Duyn "Ontpoppen" (Poppy) 2014) 22x17cm

"Ontpoppen" is available for €300 (Framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn. "Weaver Bird" (2013) 22x13.5 cm (Sold)

Weaving. Corina Duyn. "Gaia" (2012)  18x21cm

"Gaia" is available for €300 (Framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn "Healing"  (2012) 14x11.5cm

"Healing " is available for €200 (Framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn. "Garden Poppy (2011) 11x15cm

"Garden Poppy" is available for €100 (un-framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

Weaving. Corina Duyn "Garden" (2011) 10x20cm

"Garden" is available for €75 (un-framed), but with the understanding that the tapestry is available for the exhibition and book launches in September 2015

To reserve it  please email me

...and work in progress. "What is your story..." 

Thank you for stopping by, and as always, love to hear what you think!

For images of the art shown at the Seeders Exhibition, please see here 
For my latest RE-Emerging sculptures, please see here

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) 

but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, 

please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

up-cycled wheelchair

Using my wheelchair more often, made me realize again, how "sweaty" the seat cover is. Rubbery/plastic. I thought of putting a cushion cover around the seat.

My friend Heike came to stay for the weekend and commented how all chairs look alike. Black. Boring. No personality. I agree, they are just functional mobility aids, nothing to get excited about... That was all about to change!

We up-cycled my chair (or to use a term used from an American TV program.. we pimped my chair)!

What fUN! 

a black wheelchair, just like any other
(the arms rests, already removed)

my contribution, painting

Up-cycling in progress

cushion cover make-over 

arms rests too hard...
but not for much longer

end result!

even the back is more exciting!

If you have your own ideas, or created a more exciting chair for yourself already... love to hear!

Thanks for stopping by!

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...)

 but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Corina

Disability Pride

My goodness. Hardly doing any writing at the moment, no blogs, no book. It does not mean that I am not thinking about it... In my head I am working on my book. When I read, I come across quotes I would like to use. In my head I share so many observations with you all here on my blog. If only you could join me in my head! :-)

So, going to try to show up here again a bit more often.
For today I would like to share with you a few things that really made me laugh. Laughs about   wheelchairs and scooters. Inspirational for bringing a message across about the stigma and challenges of using a mobility aid.

"Lucille Power, a London-based disabled artist has dreamed up a fun project to shake up Brighton Pride on August 2nd: In a special performance, she wants to transform wheelchair users and riders of mobility scooters into 1960s mods and rockers for 'Lucille Power's Rev-in', in collaboration with London's legendary club night Duckie.

The performance sounds like so much fun - I am already looking forward to getting dressed up in studs and leather and dousing myself in hairspray (guess which one of the two I'm going to be?). The idea is to invest the history of mods and rockers with new meaning, and at the same time challenge the stigma that is attached to wheelchairs and other mobility vehicles - after all, we know that our wheels are rockin', so let's show some pride! "

for more see here on the excellent Disability Art Online website

These images just makes me want to go out and replicate this idea. Taking up all the parking spaces with wheelchairs! Surely THAT will get the message across to people abusing the wheelchair parking spaces?

"Wheelchair users found an original way to protest the abuse of disabled parking bays in Lisbon, Portugal. Weekenders that day (November 11) who attempted to park their car in a normal parking space outdoor Saldanha, Lisbon, saw all the usual places occupied by a wheelchair.

Wheelchairs had written messages on the back with messages like "I'll be back in 10 minutes", "I won't be long" or "I'm just having a coffee", the usual justifications for those not experiencing any physical limitation, who park their cars in places reserved for persons with disabilities.

Similar initiatives were carried out in the city of Vila Real (Portugal, in photographs) as well as in Boa Vista on Avenida Jaime Brazil, the National Day of Struggle for the Disabled." From Apparelyzed.com

All for now

Wish you all well!
Love
Corina

ps. As I no longer have a Facebook or Twitter account (find it all too confusing...) 

but you think this Blog deserves to make a presence there, 

please feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!