Last day of the residency...

The last 5 weeks have been the happiest in my life. I can not think of another time where I have felt so free and alive. I think it's not really venice as such, it been a mixture of things. The chance to make new work in a magical location, the wonderful people I have met here, the chance to show 3 of my favourite people another world and way of living. The three charming bulgarian women whom have embraced me and made me free welcome and special. The emily harvey foundation whom is a diamond in a world full of ugly rocks. The people here are beyond special, Alan and his family who have enriched my life no end. Henry and Bertie, a couple beyond comparison, full of grace, humour and charisma. Davidson a person I wish I had spent more time with, as he came across as a special and unique individual. Very witty and full of life in the true sense. Thank you Silvia (In the office) for being so understanding and helping me find my feet when I arrived. Cheers to to the wonderful Domo for being my first guide and for working on our charming little project. Thank you, Steve, Sarah and Mat for making this trip funnier than a million stand up comedians all cracking jokes at the same time. Thank you arts council for believing in me. I just hope the work I have made here is equal to your generosity and confidence in what I do. I will finish with a stream of words I just scribbled in free verse in the naranzia, the best bar in venice. 'Venice is the most ? place (? = no words to describe) I have ever been. It has awoken an unknown passion. This passion has been growing inside me. Everything is different now. Everything. Words can't describe. Words can't describe. Friends, upsurp my expectations. Seeing things for the first time. I am happier than I have ever been and I know now that it will only get better. Better and better. People will ask - I will give. People will ask - I will give. People will ask - I will travel to the moon, which will keep me tuned. Tuned to the gods, tuned to the fish, the goat and the sun.' Thank you Venice. You are the woman I have been searching for my whole life. Finally thanks to Emily for opening my heart again and giving me an opportunity which has filled my soul with tears of joy.