Tambourine (Wo)man

Tambourines

Perhaps I should explain why tambourines? Why have I spent many hours over the last 2 years researching and creating tambourine stories. I have been the lucky partner in an adventure across America. Led by a Texan artist who has a love of his country and the diversity and contradictions that are inevitable with such a large land mass and such a full history, and herstory and theirstory.

The Tambourine adventure began in October 2023 in an intimate, timeless, infamous venue in New Orleans, Louisiana. Namely the great Preservation Hall. Having secured tickets for the Halloween show, we were not expecting the double bass player to be Darth Vader and this was made no more surprising by the lack of any of the other stage musicians cracking a whit. 

It was one of the most memorable musical experiences of my life. I can often get distracted during live music shows. I’m not sure which one of the DDADDDDSAD.’S this signifies but it’s a challenge. Often having waited for months to see a musician who I greatly admire, I can find my mind wandering….like a wee bit overwhelmed? Just me? Anyhoo, this did not happen during this show. I was immersed and beguiled and happy. I even deigned to strut my wiggle down to the stage to offer a tip, which the band demand is done with panache, or as much as you can muster. 

On leaving we had a wee swatch at the merch. My love, being of the ‘in the moment’ type of guy suggested I must have a tambourine! Having enquired and realised they were a wee bit out of our budget, we were interested to learn that they were in fact hand painted. 

This led to a discussion and thereafter a kernel of an idea. I am really interested in the flora and fauna of Texas. It is so different from anything I have known. In the deserts and mountains of west Texas, near Big Bend National Park, there is so much to pull from creatively that the ideas for tambourine tales just flow.

I graduated from one of the most well known and prestigious art schools in the world. I have exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy, I have my work in the National Collection. I exhibit in London with an established gallery and my work has sold and resold for a consistent £ value. Each sale, so appreciated, that I don’t know if I can express how much it means to me. I am so lucky to have many great friends who are at the top of the arts community and well respected amongst peers, and gallery owners who have supported and represented me.

But still I doubt my worth as an artist. I doubt my place in this group. 

I am also a musician, songwriter and musical collaborator. And the imposter syndrome ripping through all of this is palpable….even in writing that sentence.

The Tambourines? I love them, I love painting them, I spend hours in research and development of the ideas and execution of each one. I’m too old now to care whether I’m cool, or in the in crowd or the scene or whatever. I feel privileged to have chosen a creative life and for the collaborators, supporters, buyers and bookers who like what comes from my heart. You’re all in my gang!