I'm so delighted for you, James, and also for us, who will doubtless be joined by more us. I am very grateful to the friend who sent me to your work. I have had such magical times walking and watching with you.
I really enjoyed reading this James. My PhD research partly explores walking arts and the national parks of Wales. Hope to meet you in person sometime :)
Hello James, a late response to the section in this post under the heading 'Paintings' and the seeking for non-white-cube exhibition space!! I have a suggestion for such a space in Bristol - shall I e-mail you details or send a message on here? I would be dellighted to see you work here, in the (papery-inky) 'flesh'!
Great plans, James! I hope, once, to visit Wales and discover Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, aso. Can I ask you, are you familiar with the concept of “Hiraeth”?
I’m happy to hear that West Penwith and Bodmin Moor are two Celtic places you are planning to include in your explorations this year. I live in Penzance and can attest for the absolutely wild aliveness of West Penwith especially. It’s very inspiring to hear your story of being courageous enough to take the plunge into writing and painting full time, and how far you have got with it in just one year!
Bravo for following your dream! I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures this year and wish you much success with the art, writing, videos, exhibitions and travels. You're in the right place for lovely Welsh rain too.
So much to love and look forward to in this, James! Specifically for me, reading whatever you have to say in words and visual art about the old Welsh rainforests, which I have never explored. When I drive through the centre of Wales en route somewhere else I'm always intrigue by the streches of ancient oaks alongside the road in soe places. And as I was born in Northern Ireland and still feel very close to my roots, I can't wait to find out about your first impressions. I know the east coast quite well and Aldenurgh VERY well ... you're right, there are no hills to speak of, which is why we are here and not there, as my husband felt he needed hills when we left London nearly 15 yeaers ago. But I wish we'd tried harder to find a hilly place near the sea, much as I love Presteigne. I just don't drive over though Rhayader to Aberystwyth often enough, it feels further than it actually is. Good luck, and I hope all your plans come to fruition.
Thanks Clare. I didn't head west anywhere near enough last year and it's so easy to get to from here. I also feel the draw to live there someday, near to the sea. But, as you say, where we live is very special.
It is, and especially on days like today. (Just working out how much more work I need to do before I can justify a break from my desk and a walk up into the nearest woods.)
Boy, what a program you have set for yourself in 2025, and with the assistance of your son (what a great combination) I will look forward to seeing what comes of it. Great video too by the way, no doubt with the assistance of the amazing drone, but you definitely wouldn’t want to lose your footing on that mountain side.
I'm so delighted for you, James, and also for us, who will doubtless be joined by more us. I am very grateful to the friend who sent me to your work. I have had such magical times walking and watching with you.
Thank you Barbara, that is lovely to know! And thanks for your support. J
So many exciting threads here and love how they cohere.
Thank you, Jan. At some point I'll also try to get to Brittany - another Celtic land.
I really enjoyed reading this James. My PhD research partly explores walking arts and the national parks of Wales. Hope to meet you in person sometime :)
Thank you Emily. If you're ever in Rhayader, come visit (email first so I can make sure to be in the studio). Sounds like a great subject to study.
The creative life hey. This all sounds exciting, all strength to you, James.
Thank you, Bee. And to you.
Hello James, a late response to the section in this post under the heading 'Paintings' and the seeking for non-white-cube exhibition space!! I have a suggestion for such a space in Bristol - shall I e-mail you details or send a message on here? I would be dellighted to see you work here, in the (papery-inky) 'flesh'!
Thanks Liz, yes please send an email. That would be great! james@nightriverwood.com
Great plans, James! I hope, once, to visit Wales and discover Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, aso. Can I ask you, are you familiar with the concept of “Hiraeth”?
Thanks Ivan. In my understanding, when Welsh people talk of Hiraeth they're referring to a love of, and longing for, their home landscape.
Thanks James. I might come back to it, if this is OK for you, on a later moment.
I’m happy to hear that West Penwith and Bodmin Moor are two Celtic places you are planning to include in your explorations this year. I live in Penzance and can attest for the absolutely wild aliveness of West Penwith especially. It’s very inspiring to hear your story of being courageous enough to take the plunge into writing and painting full time, and how far you have got with it in just one year!
Thank you. I'm looking forward to visiting West Penwith in particular. Carn Galver blew me away when I last went there.
Bravo for following your dream! I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures this year and wish you much success with the art, writing, videos, exhibitions and travels. You're in the right place for lovely Welsh rain too.
Thanks. Definitely the right place for the rains!
Thank you James, as someone brand new to substack - this is incredibly inspiring! I look forward to seeing your posts over the coming year.
Thank you Melissa, much appreciated.
A most exciting and ambitious year ahead. May your knees carry you far afield!
Thanks Bryan. I'm hoping the knees hold up!
So much to love and look forward to in this, James! Specifically for me, reading whatever you have to say in words and visual art about the old Welsh rainforests, which I have never explored. When I drive through the centre of Wales en route somewhere else I'm always intrigue by the streches of ancient oaks alongside the road in soe places. And as I was born in Northern Ireland and still feel very close to my roots, I can't wait to find out about your first impressions. I know the east coast quite well and Aldenurgh VERY well ... you're right, there are no hills to speak of, which is why we are here and not there, as my husband felt he needed hills when we left London nearly 15 yeaers ago. But I wish we'd tried harder to find a hilly place near the sea, much as I love Presteigne. I just don't drive over though Rhayader to Aberystwyth often enough, it feels further than it actually is. Good luck, and I hope all your plans come to fruition.
Thanks Clare. I didn't head west anywhere near enough last year and it's so easy to get to from here. I also feel the draw to live there someday, near to the sea. But, as you say, where we live is very special.
It is, and especially on days like today. (Just working out how much more work I need to do before I can justify a break from my desk and a walk up into the nearest woods.)
Great post and encouraging in several ways! Look forward to hearing about your workshops
Thank you Paul. More info on the workshops coming very soon.
I’ve been trying to subscribe but something goes wrong.
Oh, sorry about that Sarah. I have no control over the subscription page, it's all done by Substack. If you keep having problems let me know.
You may want to invest in a hot tub and an ice bath, for the knees! But bravo, James, my kind of adventure :)
Haha! Yes, my knees are already aching in anticipation Luisa!
Really looking forward to the year ahead and following your work.
Thank you Debbie!
Boy, what a program you have set for yourself in 2025, and with the assistance of your son (what a great combination) I will look forward to seeing what comes of it. Great video too by the way, no doubt with the assistance of the amazing drone, but you definitely wouldn’t want to lose your footing on that mountain side.
Thank you Sally - it took me a year to work out how to fly that drone (badly), then my son worked it out in ten minutes!
😂😂😂