Marina Cowdray: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks artist and sculptor Marina Cowdray: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Accepting each moment as it appears.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Laugh often and don’t take life too seriously.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

The weather has been unacceptable.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I don’t miss anything as everything is all here with us right now.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Health and happiness and peace of mind for any one suffering.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

I would leave the banking crisis to people that understand banking.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

There are no taboos in my dictionary.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Charity starts at home and in our local community. I have created a place of silence for people needing to step aside from the challenges of daily life. I am hoping to expand on this idea through the sales of the sculpture ’The Meditator’ which I have dedicated to this cause. I also support local charities and I am an international patron of Live to Love and an international advisor to The Oxford Centre of Mindfulness. Both of these charities are ones I feel can make a difference to peoples lives. 

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

Make use of it and enjoy it while we have it.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

All my family and if there is any space, Sixto Rodriguez for some great music. I enjoyed watching the film Searching for Sugar Man.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A takeaway primavera spaghetti from Ziani’s restaurant in Radnor Walk sitting beside the Thames watching the boats pass by.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

I gave up drink years ago although any time you want a drink is acceptable if it is going to make you happy.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cappuccino.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I love a party at home with my children and friends. We generally laugh a lot.

Who is the most positive person you know?

One of my girlfriends who has been in a wheelchair for 35 years.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Getting back into bed with a good book and a cup of coffee.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A spiral, as it can remind me of a 360-degree turn on another view point.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A tuk-tuk as its fun to weave in and out of the traffic and it’s characterful.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

Less is so much more.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A pair of bronze hands that I cast of His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa.

Viscountess Cowdray is an artist and sculptor.

For more information about The Meditator, go to: http://www.themeditator.com

For details about Live to Love, go to: http://www.live2love.org and for information on The Oxford Centre of Mindfulness, go to: http://www.oxfordcentreofmindfulness.org