The exhibition at Millfield House has left me exhausted and truly humbled.

The comments verbal and written from those members of the public have confirmed my own suspicion that no one is listening to the real needs of this illness. Hopefully the artwork and poetry are capable of becoming a voice for us all with ME and especially the 25%.

Talking to people with the illness at the exhibition has confirmed in my own mind that the decission to get the work on public view was the right one.  Hearing the stories of others battleing with illness are both heartbreaking and inspirational. The doubts I had about wallowing in the illness through the artwork were unfounded.The staff at Millfield have been amazingly supportive and I am pleased to say that I am hopefully getting a whole month slot at Forty Hall Enfield next May 2009.

All prints and work in the exhibition are for sale, and I am happy to say with three prints, two cd's sold  and a donation , £100.00 has been raised so far. The exhibition has been allowed to stay up an extra week, the date for me to take it down is yet to be confirmed but will probably be May14th / 15th.

So I have now sold my first art! To add to that the receptionist said  "you must be the artist",  praise indeed. Confirming  I am now no longer a teacher, deputy head or all the other names the pupils have called me over the years!

So if you live in the N London smog come along and see it. If you are coming and want to chat with me contact me through this site or on craig368@aol.com  and I will see if my body is up for it.

Finally I want to thank everyone who attended the private view. All present at the view have either meant a lot to me in my previouse life in teaching or in my current situation, and I am overwhelmed that they took time out to support my first one man show, especially with regards the subject matter, and especially as it was at such short notice.

The next show will be the first Givingallery exhibition. The gallery will be showcasing Gina Pipet an artist / designer who has true potential. She has had the courage to leave her family and support network in Southampton to make a life for herself in the creative field in london. HER IMAGES ARE VERY DIFFERENT VISUALLY FROM MY OWN AND THIS SHOULD MAKE  FOR AN INTERSTING  SHOW.This exhibition runs from 10th June - 5th July 2008. My thanks again to the support of Millfield house as an organisation and its staff. 

All the work sold by myself will go to LEASIDE an Educational trust based in Hackney. You may well have heard the item on 'you and yours' this friday on radio 4. Funding prommised has been withdrawn, as its been diverted to the olympics causing real hardship for an organisation with an amazing pedigree, not only in developing olmpic class paddlers but also promoting kyacking for people who have had a rough deal in life.

I thought we were assured by ministers that this would not happen and grass routes sports would be protected. This organisation kept me on the straight and narrow when I was sixteen, and is doing the same now, but under amazing pressure due to funds being pulled.

If any of my old friends and colleagues are reading this, the private view for this exhibition is Friday 20th june 5-9pm approx. Or anyone else who wants to come and chat with the artists.If there are any ex leaside paddlers out their who can help contact the club, or me via email.

The website address for leaside is  www.leaside.co.uk

This club has been there to support thousands of individuals in the past, now its our turn to support the club. 

Respect and belief in all of you out there who are managing chronic illness on a daily basis

steve craig