Art, Sister Wendy and our dedications.

Did anyone else hear the amazing interview with Sister Wendy on Sunday morning? Can you remember Sister Wendy, the little Nun with a huge knowledge of art? Aled Jones interviewed her on Radio 2 and it was simply wonderful and uplifting.

She revealed that she did not much like the noise of our everyday lives, they have no telly or radio in the Abbey. They have a newspaper delievered - a day late, and after a quick glance at the headlines and the obits, Sister Wendy turns to the sports pages. Not because she has a favourite football team, but because she is in awe of sportmen and women's dedication to their career.

Sister Wendy has left the Abbey in search of art, in fact the early paintings, pre-6th century, of Mary the Mother. After this date a lot were destroyed and so she wanted to see the few, I think she said as little as 6 or 8 that are left. For this, she had to travel to Syria, Jordan and the Sudan. She mentioned how lovely society was in general. I think this might be a lot to do with people recognising her and feeling that they know her. I would not have believed it but Sister Wendy does not enjoy receiving letters, why? becuase it interrupts the daily pattern of her life.

Sister Wendy was impressed that Aled could find religion in his joys of every life, he finds it in his children, in the countryside, in thelove of his family. Wendy said that she had to pray all the time, that is why she so enjoyed being a Sister, and felt that she had to do this day on day practice to ensure that she was as close to her religion as possible. She has been a nun since she was 16!

I began to think about that kind of dedication. Sister Wendy made a choice at 16. Most of us at 16 change our minds every 2 months, or 3 weeks. What a decision to make. She in turn, was in awe of sportsmen and women who practice very day, who work hard at their sport, to perfect every aspect of it.

This made me think about myself! I often say that if I have another chance at life I would like to be n a position to dedicate myself solely to art, to have no other destractions, including children! Some think this very harsh! I would not be without my children for the world, but we are talking 'another life' after all!!!!

Have you seen the studioof Barbara Hepworth in St Ives. I can remember feeling totally amazed that there was her ash tray, there were her aprons, her chisels with which she worked each day, left as though she had just popped to the shops and would be back later to continue her work. Barbara had children, but they were very much 'taken care of', whether at nursery or boarding school.

will finish later!!xx