The joke post that is not a joke.

I said to Dale "I can't think about what to write for the last post of September!"
And he grinned and jokingly said "ME!".
But I replied "That's not a bad idea".
I have no idea if he remembers that conversation or not - but hey - this one's for you!

How many artists, creatives and self employed business owners couldn't do what they do - or have started out - without their second in command?

I sneakily took the above picture - we'd gone out in search of (another) September birthday gift and some groceries.
And came back with groceries... and canvases.
One so big I could barely carry it.
Hence the photo.
But it encapsulates it perfectly.
The quiet support alongside making whatever it is you do that keeps you going when you've got nothing left.

It's our anniversary on Sunday - so Happy Anniversary you wonderful man.

I think of how many other people out there were able to make the leap supported by the person (and people) who love them.
Through all the money worries and meltdowns and moments of doubt.

I set up ZDAAP again in March after a long, long time of not getting anywhere with interviews.
I could not have done it without him.
I remember asking him early on - "you believe me right? - I've got this - I'm gonna make it happen"
and he said
"Zoe, if I didn't believe in you - you'd be working in a supermarket right now".
(this is by no means meant as a disrespect to supermarket workers - it just meant - you'd have chucked it in and gone back to job searching if I didn't believe in you.)
​Anyway - it's a blue post it stuck in my prereferral vision to a board.

We went to see an art exhibition early on in the revamp.
That's when I truly knew he was onboard team support.
Absolute trust that we get this thing going and don't let go until it supports us both one day.
We saw an exhibition of work that proved it was possible - I think we all need regular injections of that to stave off the doubt demons.

So, thank you.
Thanks for being you.
Thanks for being the best office partner around the corner.
Thanks for the coffee.
Thanks for the tea.
Thank you for keeping us afloat whilst I've been building steadily.
Thanks for your honest comments and for saving your high praise for when you really like something.
Thanks for the logic to balance out the chaos.
Thank you for the following comments on my recent work:

"It makes me want to play Skyrim"
"It looks like a portal out of Minecraft"
"It looks like something out of the Witcher"

​Dale I am sensing a theme here.

To the supportive partners and families out there - we salute you.
Choosing to make art in these times feels like an insane choice.

​But you help us stay grounded and keep going.
​You make it worth it.

This is the piece he was on about.