by London: blogger meetups
(left to right: Jean, Lady Penelope, yours truly, Stuart, Natalie and Dick)
I was very excited to meet a few blogger friends while visiting the UK. The very first meeting, only two days after arriving in London, was with the amazing Natalie d’Arbeloff whose alter ego is Blaugustine. Natalie kindly invited me to her apartment, or flat as the English say, which turned out to be only a short bus ride away. Daughter, granddaughters and husband accompanied me, making sure I would not get lost, and after introductions went off to nearby Hampstead Heath in the meantime.
I felt awed to be there, yet right at home with Natalie chatting about our lives, our artmaking and printmaking, just picking up from our online friendship. It was fabulous to see her work on her walls, some of it so familiar from her blog, and to see her spacious attic studio above her flat, a romantic garrett studio, can you imagine!? I so enjoyed looking and touching the many artist books that Natalie has created, for nothing can compare to experiencing the real thing. Thank you, Natalie, for this time with you!
Two days later, Natalie and I met again at a charming tavern nearby for lunch, joined by several other mutual blogger-friends. How amazing to meet in person the beautiful Jean (Tasting Rhubarb) and Lady Penelope (twisted rib) plus Stuart (Hydragenic) and Dick (Patteran Pages). Such warm and wonderful people, even better in real life! Thank you all for coming to meet me, especially Dick who had to come from out of town and Jean who had to take time off from work just before a long business trip to China.
Meeting online friends is like meeting penpals in the olden days, hmm? More to come about some other bloggers that we met later on…
June 2, 2009 in Being an Artist, Blogging, Travel by Marja-Leena
That is a wonderful picture, with the group looking at the viewer, as if the viewer, too, were part of the merriment that was so obviously had by all!
Maria, thanks go to the very pleasant tavern waiter and the service and good food, and the best company most of all!
What a wonderful picture. I am so glad you had someone to guide you and make sure you did not get lost in the vast and puzzling place.
You look very happy there.
Thanks Hattie, I had a great time! And yes, my daughter took good care of me.
Great to have that moment captured. Your visit to me was also a high point of the week, Marja-Leena.
Great pic!
What a wonderful group. I was proud of myself for immediately recognizing Natalie, Dick and you. The other three I didn’t know, but I have looked at their blogs and like them. I would so much like to come to Vancouver soon and meet you. Perhaps I would be inspired to make prints again.
Thanks again, Natalie!
Tall Girl, thanks, great to see you here!
Anne, I’d love to meet you too, just let me know when you are coming to Vancouver! You must be on your way home from Alaska right now?
How lovely, to see some familiar faces looking so natural and all together, just marvellous!
You clearly had a wonderful time, and I love hearing about London from someone to whom it’s all new; though you’ve probably seen many things now that I haven’t!
Lucy, thanks! I rather doubt that I’ve seen more than you for there was so much that we didn’t have time for.