{quotable thursdays}

This week I blogged that my book came out. I have a good quote for that one:

{go after what you want}

I had a lot of times I didn't think it would happen. I've had a lot of frustrations in academia; it's an institution made of people who keep failing, but keep trying until they get what they want. It's not an easy world to live in, but I've learned to believe in myself, surround myself with supportive people, and reach high.
x
L

{book published!}

I realise I've been frightfully absent from blogging... but since my last post, my book has come out!
So it's very exciting news. Thanks to all my faithful followers who have come on the journey with me: from reading about frustrations in academia to accompanying me on my research trips to Italy!
The book is finally out in the UK and will be out shortly in North America! (apparently even Target is going to stock it!)
So you can have a look at Collecting Art in the Italian Renaissance Court over at Cambridge University Press (where you can use the 20% discount code: CLARK2018) or you can preview it on google books & Amazon!
My official book launch isn't until October, but I've been celebrating ever since it came out at the end of June!

{presenting on my book at the National Gallery in June}

xo
L

{quotable thursdays}

Hello Blogland!
Sorry for being absent! I'm not going to lie, this summer hasn't been much of a summer. Not only was the weather in August terrible in the UK but I've just not felt like I've got any kind of break at all. But yesterday I hit a big milestone and submitted my book manuscript for publication... and I realise that things are busy because there are lots of good things that are happening in terms of work. but success in academia generally means not much of a break!

{growth}

Somedays I think it would be easier just to sit tight & just do the status quo, but this quote reminds me that growing--whether that's intellectually, emotionally, physically--is a challenge. We either rise to it, or we sink back to safety. Sometimes safety is good--sometimes we bring too much on ourselves & it's better to choose an easier route, but sometimes stepping forward means discovering things and yes, growing. But with growth we can often feel out of our comfort zone, before we get comfortable again. I feel like I'm a little in that limbo stage--feeling like I've got too many balls in the air and not sure if they're all going to come down at once and knock me to the ground, or if I'll manage and will come out feeling victorious. In any case, it'll be an adventure!

{juggling}

Let's see what happens!
xo
L

{quotable thursdays}

{walking to the AAH launch event on Tuesday}

In the past week I've been at two events that give me hope in the discipline I've dedicated my life to. Last Friday I hosted an event for Open Arts Objects,  a project I'm leading, which provides short films and support materials to support the teaching of Art History in schools. (It was held at the charming Art Workers' Guild)

{presenting at the Art Workers' Guild}

For my presentation I put up on the powerpoint an excerpt from our statement that we wrote during the campaign to save the A-level Art History:

One of Art History’s many strengths is that it is fundamentally interdisciplinary. Through the study of art you can learn about gender relations, philosophy, anthropology, sociology or economics, not to mention its important relationship with history. At a time when everyone is glued to their smartphones, looking at images on twitter, Instagram or Facebook, the ability to understand, and more importantly, to be able to analyse critically the wealth of images that bombard us seems more pressing than ever.

It's been hard work but well worth it, and I would say perseverance is the key... Recently I've been busier than ever and feeling rather stressed. But for the first time in my life, I feel like things are starting to fall into place, and the hard work has paid off.

{success}

On Tuesday I was at another event, the launch of the new redesigned Association for Art History (previously the Association of Art Historians). There, once again was a palpable energy...energy in a discipline that is seeking to widen its horizons by expanding global definitions of art, and doing so by teaching a global art history. An Art History for all, not only for a select few. We are a discipline that is seeking to widen participation in every possible way. 

It's exciting times and I'm happy to be apart of it.

{new horizons!}

If you've got time, why don't you check out our really short films? you might learn a thing or two! and not just about art but about the complexities of our world.

xo

L

{quotable thursdays}

Hello blogworld!
I'm swamped and barely getting through all that needs to get done. I feel like my blogposts are always about being too busy...and I hate that. But this year has been the busiest of my academic life and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down for another few weeks...
but I wanted to take a few seconds today to put up a quote that might inspire others who are feeling like they're drowning in work.

{*magic*}

....& so I keep going ahead.
tomorrow I'm giving a presentation to A-level teachers & students at Godolphin, which has amazing architecture...and then off to Masterpiece 2017. If you recall, I went a few years ago... I probably can't afford any of the works for sale, but it'll be fun to browse!
xo
L

{postcards from Japan}

Happy May Bank Holiday weekend to you!
I realise I have been rather absent from the blog as of late. But this year has been especially busy, not only with travel, but with a lot of publications, and then keeping up with renovations & various things on the house too!
But I'm FINALLY going to catch up at least with my travel to Japan. It was a real whirlwind trip, but exceptional nonetheless.
I managed to fit in a full day of taking in the sights of Tokyo with an old friend and colleague from McGill days, who lives in Tokyo: We went to the Meiji Shrine and walked around the serene park, then in total contrast, we wandered the chaotic and nutty Takeshita street, where brightly coloured outfits are equally matched by colourful food, alongside cat & owl cafes, then came the Shibuya crossing featured in Lost in Translation... and then finally ending the night at a typical chicken spot (yakitori)--who knew chicken could be skewered and bbq'd so many ways?! Then a few days at the conference at Gakushuin University, with my last day spent on a trip to Mt. Takao and an amazing dinner in a bamboo grove complete with Geisha dancing and entertainment at the famous restaurant, Ukai Chikutei! From there, I headed straight to the airport, only to be in the UK two days, before flying off to Chicago. It has been a busy 2017 so far!
Here are the pics to prove it!

{Meiji shrine}

{graduating students dressed up in their finery}

{sake offerings}

{ritual hand washing}

{wishes and aspirations}

{the crazy Takeshita street}

{fabulous Shibuya crossing made famous in western cinema  by the film Lost in Translation}

{wonderful dinner spot}

{preparing our chicken}

{bento box at the conference}

{views from Mt Takao}

{the ascent to Mt Takao}

{offerings}

{wishes}

{fabulous dinner here in the bamboo grove, Ukai Chikutei}

{we had a whole house to ourselves for the dinner; taking off shoes}

{the menu}

{geishas}

simply a wonderful trip!
xo
L

{off to Tokyo!}

{packing}

Well tomorrow I'm off to Tokyo!
Really looking forward to it. I've spent time in Asia, but never Japan, so I'm in for a treat, I know!
I'll be giving a paper at the History of Consumer Culture conference at Gakushuin University. The conference organisers have some lovely dinners planned, as well as a sightseeing tour on the Saturday, including dinner at the traditional Ukai Chikutei, an idyllic hideaway in the mountains, where there will be live music and Geisha dancing!
it's of course cherry blossom season...so stay tuned for pictures, like this one:

{the kimono gallery}

follow me over on instagram for #postcardsfromtokyo

xo

L

{quotable thursdays}

Hello blog land!
Despite my hope/promise to slow down for 2017, I have a to-do list that seems to keep growing...& they aren't small things. they are big things, like finish edits on a whole textbook, finish an article, finish two other articles, finish edits on a (monograph) book and seek copyright for 55+ images...and compile an index while I'm at it.

But it'll all get done... and if one day I congratulate myself on my accomplishments, it's not out of pride or vanity, but out of sheer happiness I made it.

and on that note, here's today's quote:

{success is hard work}

now back to the edits..
xo
L