Tuesday, June 2, 2015

No life with M.E.? There is!

Living in the darkness of illness, my creativity had brought me out into the light.


Today an article was published in the Journal.ie about my creative life with M.E.

"I was led to believe there was ‘no future’ with with my diagnosis. Well, I beg to differ."

"I have learned to cope with M.E., a serious and potentially disabling chronic disorder, through art and creativity."

see full article here 


sample page of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2015

sample page of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2015




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Friday, May 29, 2015

M.E. Awareness month

May is M.E. Awareness month.

These articles appeared in this week's local papers - The Avondhu Press and Dungarvan Observer - mapping my journey through the illness and the role creativity played in learning to live with it.

I will add a transcript of these articles at a later date.

If you are interested in re-printing this, please do get in touch  


Avondhu Press 28-05- 2015

Dungarvan Observer 27-05- 2015




I now have an Artist/Author Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CorinaDuyn Please link up with me there? And if you think this Blog deserves to make a presence on Facebook or Twitter, feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Marriage Equality Referendum

Historic day as final results in Marriage Equality Referendum declared soon

... Ireland is set to become the first country in the world to legislate for marriage equality through popular vote on what is shaping up to be a historic day..

See more about this to be a VERY HISTORIC DAY for Ireland indeed! here Marriage Equality






I now have an Artist/Author Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CorinaDuyn 
Please link up with me there? And if you think this Blog deserves to make a presence on Facebook or Twitter, feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

New life in my garden

Spring,
Glorious Spring.

(although the past few days it is more like winter...)

I enjoy watching new life sprouting up in my greenhouse. Lettuces, tomatoes, beans...
Various birds building nest in the nest boxes and in the wall.
Dandelion seeds. I know. Regarded as a weed. But look at the beauty!
The delicateness of the apple blossom...

Here just a few snapshots from the past few weeks.

Some of these images will be illustrations in Into the Light. My Artist Book in the making.



French Bean sprouting © Corina Duyn 2015

Blue tit gathering twigs for it's nest, a box in my garden. © Corina Duyn 2015
Dandelion seeds, look at the free floating one at the bottom! © Corina Duyn 2015

Apple Blossom © Corina Duyn 2015

Apple Blossom © Corina Duyn 2015




I now have an Artist/Author Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CorinaDuyn Please link up with me there? And if you think this Blog deserves to make a presence on Facebook or Twitter, feel free to link it on your page. Thank you!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Into the Light - an adventure basking in kindness

Well it has been quite a while since I turned up on my blog. But, I have been busy with my Into the Light Artist book project. And some journey it has been.

The artist book will consists of a series of sheets, with on one side an image (art or nature) and quote by another writer; on the reverse an observation about living with chronic illness. This could be about daily reality, gratitude, art, society, independence, nature, stillness... All gathered in a box. More about this some other day!
Both sides of a sample sheet of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2015

There is a awful lot more involved than just writing. There is also reading, note taking, finding the right quote, finding the right image, and that is all before editing and designing - and redesigning- and  more editing and fine tuning the pages. Box design... how to promote, where to launch...

Every time I think I have it all worked out another question arises... The latest being:
How to ask for permission to use quotes by other writers?
Will there be any cost involved?
Do I need permission when it is a limited edition artist book?
As it turned out yes you do need permission, even if it is just one line.
And rightly so. I would like to be asked too, if someone likes to use my writing!

A big adventure started by contacting many authors and publishers. I was fearful of huge costs, and lengthy waits. To my absolute delight, so far everybody who has replied to my request has given me permission, free of charge. My heartfelt thanks to everybody. 
And not only that, the goodwill towards my project is going way beyond that.  I received some amazing responses and encouragement from people I have never met, and probably never will.

Both sides of a sample sheet of Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2015
This into the light project is really that.  It is not just bringing the topic of the experience of living with chronic illness into the light, but in a beautiful way, I myself am reaching into the light, making contact with authors and artists I have admired for so long. Making contact with people all over the world.

When I started this project I found myself in a darker place.  My condition had deteriorated. I was more challenged again in my mobility, independence, and in my creative work.
Finding a way to do what I felt I needed to do is a huge blessing. I do not underestimate the power of art. The creative process.  Creativity is a lifeline.  It brings understanding. I learn. And I can share.
What a privilege.

The other forms of support have been to aid me in practical ways to my work.  Some of this has been supported through the rehab bursary. Friends have helped me with computer work; local graphic designer Dave Murphy,  has helped me to design the pages; friends are reading to spot any errors; staff at the IWA has helped me with my sculptures. Staff at Dechen Shying have been nurturing. The book most likely will be launched there first (September?).
Working with my mentor Grace Wells, has been absolutely invaluable. An acquaintance from years back, is supporting me to launch a crowd funding adventure and all other social media that comes with that. I have also been awarded a small publishing grant from Waterford City & Council Arts.

 I feel hugely privileged to have all the support.
 Thank you all!  My deepest gratitude.

The book is not finished yet, but it getting close.

Please come back for updates, or sign up for email notices.

An Author/Artist Facebook has created for me. Please 'like' it.

If you would like to support me, any proceeds from artwork or books sold will go towards the publication cost of Into the Light.


With every best wish

Corina

this project has been supported by

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Saturday, March 7, 2015

Recent art works by Corina Duyn

I decided to compile a page with links to blog pages with images of my art works, 
most of them created during the past five years.
Some are available for sale.

many thanks for your visit and support
Corina


to contact me with any question regarding my art, please click here
See here for the images of sculptures created between 2010-2013, exhibited at the
2012 'Seeders' Exhibition at the Old Market House Art Centre, Dungarvan


See here for "Re-emerging" sculptures


See here for images of "Twenty Minute Bird"

See here for images and details of "Out of the Box"

See here for images and details of "Aerial"

See here for images of "Wisdom"



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!