💬 Introducing Conversations
A welcoming space for curious minds.
Welcome to ‘Conversations’ - a friendly (but optional) space that brings readers together to discuss the world of art and letters, from philosophical ideas and artistic and literary movements to fun historical dilemmas and creative riddles.
Hello! I’m so happy you’ve joined us. This new monthly discussion thread is for you—the Beyond Bloomsbury community. It’s a place to share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect.
To begin, I would love for you to introduce yourselves and tell us: What first sparked your love of art and literature? Was it a childhood book, a gallery visit, a favourite teacher, or something unexpected?
Just click the button below and let’s start the conversation. And don’t be shy about replying to someone—sharing an experience or asking a thoughtful question is a wonderful way to get to know one another.
I look forward to reading your replies!
I loved drawing as a child, filling sketchbooks and yards of ecg trace paper that my father brought home from the hospital he worked in. I did no art from my teens until I started two years ago at the age of 68. I’m filling sketchbooks and this has led me to regular visits to galleries from which has blossomed a real love of art.
I trained as an engineer and worked in construction project management for 40 years but always felt there was more to life than trashy novels. My father took me to Glasgow Art Gallery when I was a young teenager - quite a trek from my poor working class home - and I found Christ of Saint John of the Cross, a painting by Salvador DalÃ. Wow, I was mesmerised and my dad wandered off with my brother and I just sat on the stairs and lost everything in the world looking at this painting… I looked him up in an encyclopaedia when I got home (I’m that old) and found his surrealist stuff which did little for me… but it opened something in my soul - and years later - like maybe 30/35 years later I started reading ‘proper’ books, starting with Dickens and Hardy and then I found Woolf and CS Lewis and essays and and and… now I just love reading and visiting museums and galleries when I can… life has so much richness (but still room for Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson et al)