“It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure.”

Ernie Harwell

SPOILER ALERT

This isn’t really goodbye to all of you subscribers, just goodbye to my weekly missives here on Substack.

As I explained in last week’s post, I’ve been struggling with my motivation; I felt I was in danger of becoming a content creator/curator, rather than an artist. And that wasn’t a direction I wanted to travel in…

So I decided to quit Substack. Whilst I’ve enjoyed my time here, it’s becoming apparent, that in order for me to grow my audience here, I would have to devote an increasing amount of time, time that I would rather spend painting…and, to be honest, growing my ‘own’ mailing list rather than being at the mercy of another platform…

In order to achieve more space and energy, I’m moving my mailing list across to Flodesk, and reducing my emails to one/month, rather than these weekly posts. The monthly newsletters will still include all my usual offerings; inspirations, photographs, videos, latest updates and what’s been happening etc. - you won’t miss out on a thing!

I just want to re-iterate, I will be transferring all of you who are on my current subscriber/mailing list across to the new platform. If you no longer wish to be part of my community, then please feel free to unsubscribe - no hard feelings.

That being said, I hope you do want to continue on this journey with me…as I do so enjoy your company!

This will be my last post here on Substack. From now on, you’ll receive a free monthly email via my Flodesk account. I’ll be sending the first one out around the third week in April…so keep a lookout!!

One of the other things I intend doing, as well as more painting, is to spread my wings in my local area; seeking out opportunities, making local connections, going on ‘art’ dates etc…

At the weekend, we went to hear a talk by Adam Frost, a renowned garden designer, RHS Chelsea gold medal winner, and one of the presenters on the BBC’s Gardener’s World programme. It was a great evening, and he was very funny!

What I found particularly interesting was how he realised that, in order to gain ideas for designing garden spaces, he had to do more than sit staring at a blank computer screen waiting for inspiration to miraculously strike! His passion for music, poetry, history and learning all feed into his creativity, enabling him to design beautiful spaces…

I’d long been coming to the conclusion that I, too, was trying to create in a vacuum - not a recipe for success!! Hence the recent successful (!!) application for a solo exhibition next year at Indigo Crow Gallery in Lincoln, and a submission for the Usher Gallery Summer Open exhibition in July - fingers crossed for that one. I also participated in the Printers Inc. monthly get-together - it was great meeting new people, chatting about art and lots more besides, getting advice and bouncing ideas around….

I will keep you fully updated on any developments, opportunities, activities or general information in my monthly newsletters…

And to end with, a few snippets from this week:

That’s a wrap here on Substack…

See you soon in your inbox.

Until then, happy creating!

P.S. Hopefully, I’ve managed the tech okay, and you’ll be receiving my next emails direct to your inbox from my Flodesk account… If not, they could be going to your junk mail, so don’t forget to check there…

“I love walking because it clears your mind, enriches the soul, takes away stress, and opens up your eyes to a whole new world.”

Claudette Dudley

Claudette, I agree wholeheartedly with your comment. I’ve said before about how, on first setting off for my morning walks, my head is full of random thoughts, and to-do lists. My head is down; I’m busy planning what I will do on returning home.

But gradually, I get into a rhythm; I relax. My head lifts, my shoulders drop. The sights and sounds of my surroundings begin to penetrate my consciousness. A breath of mist blanketing the earth. The glowing orb, rising earlier each day. Glorious apricot light, giving way to pale mauves and lavenders. Increasing bird song. My footprints entwined with animal and bird tracks in the soft mud. A skein of geese overhead. Blackthorn blossom, tiny stars. A sprinkling of early cherry blossom. I’ve yet to hear the skylark, but it surely won’t be long.

Pausing, I do a 360, turning slowly, aware that my mind has settled. I’m breathing in deeply, drinking in the calm quietude, grateful for the space and freedom, giving thanks…

“Walking is good for solving problems. It’s like the feet are little psychiatrists.”

Pepper Giardino

Walking on, thoughts drift, unbidden. Not random, not to-do lists, not ‘remember to call….’ But the bigger picture. Thoughts I’ve been mulling over for weeks. Thoughts about directions and focus, and future goals. As I circle round and turn for home, answers float on the breeze. Why have I been going round and round, debating, discussing, pondering, dithering…? Why have I been putting obstacles in my way? Why am I making it bigger than it is? It really is simple. Do what feels right for me now. I arrive home, decisions made. Calm and coffee await.

Where am I going with all this…?

I’m not sure a drum roll is required but…

For the last few months I’ve been struggling.

Motivation to paint has been lacking -notwithstanding the studio space issue. I’ve found myself on a hamster wheel of content creating, trying to give of my best, and then berating myself when I’ve not achieved that.

I listed all what I’d planned to do this year, and whether I was succeeding;

• Experiment with new processes - NO

• Develop a new body of work - NO

• Write a weekly Substack column - YES

• Post a weekly YouTube video - NO

• Regular posts on Instagram - SORT OF

• Keep on top of admin & website ‘tweaking’ - BARELY

• Write a monthly website blog post - WELL, for the last two months at least!

• Participate fully in groups I belong to - NO

• Get my work out in front of new audiences - NO

I was trying to do to all of the above - which, let’s be honest, was probably a tad optimistic. But I was failing. And then giving myself a hard time because of it.

I was spreading myself too thinly to do it all justice.

Something had to give.

The recent dip in confidence had weighed heavy. But as I walked, I began to re-frame the issue. No, I’m not ready for that level of expenditure at this moment.

What I can do, is re-assess my plans and goals to something more achievable. To get back to a regular studio practice. To cultivate my audience more locally. To narrow down my focus.

So how do I make that happen? What do I need?

Listening to the rhythm of my feet, my little psychiatrists, the answers and solutions emerged.

I need to get back to painting. I mean, really painting. Experimenting and playing and developing. I need to focus my attention here…

And to do that, I need time. I don’t want to be on that hamster wheel of forever thinking of new content for social media… I want the content to come from what I am creating and learning…

So I’ve made some decisions…

• I first posted on Substack back in August 2023; I’ve given it a reasonable stab. However, despite taking time (quite a lot of time…) to craft what I hope are interesting and inspiring posts, growth has plateaued. The platform, it seems, requires even more of my attention for it to move forwards. Time I would rather spend painting…. So I’ve made the decision to leave Substack. This will be happening over the next month or two. For paying subscribers, I’ll be pausing/stopping payments over the coming months - as I figure the technical side out.

• I’ll be moving my mailing list over to Flodesk (an email platform). Instead of a weekly post/email, I will be sending out one email/newsletter per month, which will contain all of my usual ramblings and photos and videos etc. If you would rather not follow me on my journey, please feel free to unsubscribe - but I really hope you don’t, as I do so enjoy your company!

• As far as social media is concerned; even though I’ll still post on Instagram, I’ve decided the focus of my attention will be my YouTube channel. Hopefully, by concentrating mainly on one platform, I’ll be able to do it justice!!

I really want to do more painting, as well as try to reach out to opportunities in my local area. To do that, I need time, and I’m hoping that the decisions above will enable me to have that time, space and energy…

I hope all this makes sense, and that you understand my rationale. Be assured that if you do remain on my mailing list, you won’t miss out on what’s happening in my studio…or on what’s been inspiring me etc.

As I said, this will all be happening over the coming couple of months, so bear with me whilst I sort out the tech stuff…

Do I feel happier now that I've made some decisions, and can see a way to move forward? Yes! Now that I’ve set some intentions, that I have some direction, I feel much more settled - and focussed.

“You cannot make progress without making decisions.” Jim Rohn

Watching as the faded bruised skies give way to molten amber there’s something so energising about the approaching spring. And with decisions made, and a refreshed focus, there’s such a feeling of gratitude - and hope.

Even though it’s only been just over a week, the thirty minute/day practice is beginning to show dividends. There’s a sense of anticipation when I step through the studio door. There’s an eagerness which hasn’t been there for a while…

Until next time, happy creating!!

"Every now and then I sit and watch the sun rise to remind myself how it's done—peacefully, steadily, warmly, and in beautiful colour."

Richelle E. Goodrich

Walking along, I was reminded of the Irish blessing:

“May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rain fall soft upon your fields…”

I lift my eyes from the icy lane. Across the fields, soft mist dissolves into the apricot sunrise. Above that, a tapestry of soft greys and pale lavender; the promise of clear blue. As I walk on, following the lane along it’s gentle curves, I look back; in a few short minutes the sun has risen, its hues deepened to rose gold…

Distant traffic noise rumbles through the still air. I tune it out, focussing on the birdsong. Blackbirds scurry across the lane, ducks and geese from the nearby farm quack and cackle, greeting the new day. A magpie, sitting atop a stand of field maples, raises the alarm. I catch sight of a hare. I didn’t capture him on film; rather I stood watching as he zig-zagged across the fields, disappearing into the mist. Some moments should just live on in the memory.

As I continue towards a small copse, I stop, unsure. Crystal-clear air has made my eyes water; I blink the tears away, and look again. Deer.

A glimpse of these elusive, skittish creatures is always a thrill. In a heartbeat, they have melted into the copse, and despite scanning constantly for them as I return, I am granted no further audience…

I walk to the small church in the next hamlet, rewarded with birdsong, and bursts of yellow daffodils, blackthorn blossom, frosted tussocks of bleached grass, stands of teasels, their crystal-tipped heads glinting in the sun, hedgerows that erupt with small birds as I walk by, pheasants taking flight, alarm calls echoing across the fields… the odd sunflower, standing forlornly, head bowed as if in homage to the sun…and in the lee of the copse, snowdrops, heads tightly closed against the chill; the purity of the bloom, a sign of hope…

“Waking up early, connecting with nature, and having my quiet time are priorities to me, and they are non-negotiable.”

Danette May

As it always does, the walking has cleared my mind, and I return home, calmer, more settled, but invigorated; time in nature, blue skies, sunrises, the promise of spring…providing a sense of anticipation…

Other moments to treasure this week:

• Watching a kite, (as in a bird in case you were wondering…), soar lazily overhead whilst drinking my morning coffee.

• A vase of tulips and a flickering candle on the coffee table.

• Lengthening days…and sunshine!

• Pancakes, maple syrup & blueberries…

• Getting back into the studio…

And talking of getting back into the studio; successfully maintaining my ‘daily rituals’, demonstrates that when I set an intention and mark it in my journal, I can do it. Developing a regular studio practice is important, so this week, I set the goal of spending at least 30 mins/week day in the studio… So far, 100% success… I know it’s not a long time but it’s a start, and why set yourself up to fail by aiming for an unrealistic target to begin with?

Space is still at a premium, (until I find somewhere to store framed work), and not wanting to get too liberal with splashing ink around, I began doodling in a Seawhite of Brighton concertina sketchbook. And doodling is the right description because it felt as if I’d completely forgotten how to paint!!

This video was around three times as long, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate the long pauses whilst I remembered where I’d put the oil pastels, or struggling to get tops off bottles, or fighting with a very old PrittStick…

And I’ve no idea what was the matter with the first bottle of Daler Rowney FW Sepia acrylic ink, whether it had been open too long, or what, but even after a good shake, it was still watery and nothing like the colour I was expecting…

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that I’ve cut all that out, although I have left the scratching and scraping and swooshing…

I was remembering my morning walk; hedgerows, brightening skies, burgeoning foliage, ploughed fields punctuated with bleached maize stalks…

“Clarity of mind means clarity of passion, too; this is why a great and clear mind loves ardently and sees distinctly what it loves.”

Blaise Pascal

Walking, journalling and conversations, have led me to make some decisions about where my focus is going to be for the foreseeable. Although some things have yet to be fully sorted, this is just a head’s up that there will be some changes coming in the next few months. I’ll keep you fully updated when everything is finalised…but don’t worry, I will still be painting and crafting emails….so you won’t miss a thing!!

Until next time, happy creating!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating…

“For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”

Khalil Gibran

After my dip in confidence, it’s been a week of noticing the details, taking the small wins, in whatever shape of form they come…

Approaching the new month, I’ve been checking back, and so far this year, I’ve succeeded in keeping up with:

• Walking at least 5500 steps/day. Now, I know that’s not 10k, but you have to start somewhere don’t you? And I plan to steadily increase the number each month.

• Reading at least 10 extra pages/day. I’ve read 5 books so far this year, and am part way through my sixth. I usually like to have two on the go; both a fiction and a non-fiction.

• Daily meditating. Now I am by no means an expert, and some days, it’s only for around 3-4 minutes, but I am doing some every day!

• Daily journalling. I found the 750words website really kept me on track, so I ended up subscribing - for the year it’s around $50. I subscribed for two reasons; I can type faster than I can write, and typing doesn’t make my hands ache as much…and I found putting down all my random thoughts enables me to focus more easily.

Is all this doing me any good? Well, I think it’s too early to tell, but I feel better for the ‘doing’ of it - that’s got to be a good thing hasn’t it? And I'm proud of myself, if we’re allowed to be, that I've persisted with these ‘rituals’…

As I said last week I’m also making a concerted effort to be more organised with the admin side of things. So, apart from ongoing website tweaks, I am also:

• Trying to be more active on Pinterest, attempting to remember to post a pin linking back to my website, in an effort to drive more traffic there…

• Setting aside some time at the beginning of the week to plan; weekly menus, supermarket shopping, organising household stuff etc., as well as all the arty stuff. It makes me feel more organised, even if it doesn’t always go to plan! To that end…

• I have joined Anna MacDonald’s ‘Organised Artist’ membership group…to give me support, ideas, and to keep me on track…

Again, I feel less anxious for the ‘doing’ of it… I feel more settled. And I’m also getting better at not giving myself such a hard time if some things don’t get done - as long as I do the important things, then that’s okay by me…

And getting more organised is certainly going to be required, as I am pleased to announce that I’ve been accepted to hold an exhibition at Indigo Crow Gallery in Lincoln!!

It’s not until next year; at the moment I am finalising dates. But I’m really pleased!! I’ve no idea whether popping in, having a word and leaving my business card swayed their decision - but I’m glad I did so!!

My word for the year was “OPEN”. To remind myself to be open to the possibility of, to be open to new things, to new people and opportunities. I’m counting this acceptance as a win!!

Talking of small wins: I have actually been in the studio and doodled around with some new Art Graf blocks, rather than just going in and ‘tidying up’! I added to my collection, of one, by purchasing the Ochre, Brown and Dark Brown blocks… The brush I am using is a calligraphy one I bought from Amazon, costing around £13…

Click here to watch…

I do like Art Graf; it’s great for taking out on location because of the variety of marks and tones you can obtain. I also love the somewhat random and unpredictable marks you can make!

What else have I been enjoying this week?

• I’m enjoying Jo Taylor’s Substack offering “Seeds, Weeds & Wildflowers.” I love the way she describes the details, the small delights and the often overlooked…

• I finished Dr. Rangan Chatterjee’s book, “Make Change That Lasts.” I certainly recognised myself in some parts, and found the science and reasoning interesting…

• I enjoyed “Hidden Assets” over on BBC IPlayer…full of twist and turns, and no, sometimes, they didn’t catch the ‘bad guys’…

• The lengthening days, the increasing birdsong, bulbs emerging…even some blackthorn blossom, it’s tiny star like flowers sprinkled along the branches…

Until next time, happy creating!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating…

“Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you’re feeling. To have the hard conversations.” Bréne Brown

Cards on the table time. Back in November I mentioned that I was considering applying to the Manchester Art Fair for this coming November…see post below…

Well, the application deadline has been and gone; have I applied?

Short answer - no.

Don’t get me wrong, when the application email landed in my inbox, I was full of ‘let’s do this!’ bravura…

…then I saw the cost. A quick mental calculation; the smallest stand costs £1364 + VAT. Add on accommodation, food and fuel costs etc., and it would be around the £2.5k - £3k mark. And that’s when my nerve, or courage, or belief in myself failed me.

Here comes the ‘vulnerable’ bit.

This financial year has been less than successful as far as the art goes; at time of writing, it has just dipped into the red…

How could I justify, how could I square it with myself - spending that amount of money with no guarantees that anything would come of it? And then, all the other doubts piled on. Would I even be accepted? Probably not, that little voice in my head is whispering.Who was I to think that I was good enough to exhibit there? My work isn’t selling now, so what makes me think it will sell there?

Each day I’d tell myself that I’d apply. Each day I didn't. Tomorrow, I kept saying, knowing that tomorrow would come and, yet again, I wouldn’t have applied. Inexorably, the deadline came and went. As it slipped by a whole range of emotions swept over me: anger, self-pity, resentment, apathy…

There was also a huge sense of relief; I wouldn’t have to put myself through the process of being rejected, or, if accepted, of having no sales.

My carefully constructed shell was crumbling. I wasn’t as resilient as I’d thought.

For a couple of days I sat with these feelings. I’ve learned that by acknowledging them, it gets them out of my system. I‘ve been known to call this my ‘wallowing’ stage…

Now, I’m in the ‘well, what are you going to do now?’ phase…

How am I going to frame this, or re-frame it? How am I going to ‘build my shell’ again?

New days, new dawns - the beginnings of a rosy glow, so welcome after days of dank, damp, grey weather.

Morning walks, as ever, help me find perspective, especially when the moon and the sun accompany me; from gentle light bathing my way, to a fireball rising…

Conversations over the weekend, combined with my perambulations kindled a more positive outlook.

I decided to look for more local opportunities to get my work out there and be seen, in the flesh, so to speak; to build my confidence again by participating in smaller events.

A visit to the Indio Crow Gallery in Lincoln proved a big step forward in terms of confidence. You need to be aware that usually, when I visit a gallery, I never volunteer that I am artist. However, not only did I tell the lovely lady just that, I also made enquiries about their exhibition space, AND, gave her one of my business postcards - my OH did a double take to make sure it was actually me talking!!

I’ve also used the time to tweak and refine my website; checking the keywords, adding the alt text on images etc. Mundane, mind-numbing - but necessary. I’ve also been checking out the merits of both Flodesk and Mailerlite as an email marketing platform; I’ve been wondering about having a separate list for people who would like to receive more direct information about my latest works for sale etc… What platform/s do you use? Any recommendations?

Time having passed, and having settled on a way forward, I’m feeling much calmer, more relaxed about it all, and definitely more positive. Amazing what a walk in the fresh air can do!!

How do you build yourself up after a setback? Would love to know!

P.S. Since writing this, I’ve sent in my application form to Indigo Crow, for a possible exhibition next year!! Fingers crossed!

“Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail.”

Robert Motherwell

Sometimes, looking back, seeing what I’ve done, what my plans were, how far I’ve come, or even if it’s just to jog my memory, well, it can help with my confidence and resilience, to see what I am capable of. Was this really a year ago…?

Until next time, happy creating!

Not exactly ‘raindrops on roses’…but it’s the nearest I could do at this time of year…

And don’t worry, I’m not about to burst into song…let’s not make it any worse!! Rather, I thought I’d tell you about some of my favourite things…

One question I get asked on a regular basis is ‘Which sketchbooks do I use?’

My sketchbooks of choice are Seawhite of Brighton sketchbooks; travel journals, concertina sketchbooks, square sketchbooks - in fact, Seawhite sketchbooks in any shape or form. Their 140 mm square ones ideal for small collages; just large enough not to feel overwhelmed, and the paper, at 130 gsm, takes a reasonable amount of water/paint/ink/glue. And their concertina ones are perfect for my River Stories or Coastal Stories series…

I have been known to use a Talens sketchbook…but it’s slightly smaller than the Seawhite one…

And talking of drawing materials/watercolour paint/inks/glue…

I love my 8B Derwent watersoluble graphitone pencil (the half sized one in the above image – it does come in 2B, 6B etc); used dry or wet, it produces some interesting marks, hard or blurred…and works well with the watercolour and ink… as does the Ivory Black Derwent watercolour pencil… I also like the Art Graf Tailor’s chalk blocks of pigment too; it makes interesting, varied and sometime random marks.

It’s no secret I love the Daniel Smith range of watercolours – Indigo being a particular favourite, along with Payne’s Grey, Rich Green Gold...and Moonglow…and Lunar Blue… I could go on, but you get the picture. As with everything, we all have our own likes and dislikes; it’s just a case of experimenting until you find your preferred colours… I’ve also discovered the Michael Harding range of watercolours which has some fabulous shades too!! Now, I know these ranges are expensive, but there is more pigment, and it’s much richer than cheaper brands. My advice; try and get the best you can for the budget you have - Winsor & Newton professional range, for instance, is a great alternative…

I also like the Sepia Daler Rowney FW Acrylic Ink…it works beautifully with the Indigo watercolour, and granulates fabulously with Winsor & Newton Granulation Fluid, and I also like some of the muted range from Liquitex.

One of my other favourite pastimes is browsing through magazines, supplements, newspapers etc for images and text or anything that I find appealing…which I ‘file’, along with other ephemera in my ‘collage filing system’… Quotes or lines from poetry or words that resonate are kept in an old ice cream container…as you can see, all high tech here!! Some papers etc., are used in my artwork, whilst the quotes, lines from poetry, short phrases or words can spark ideas for titles…

Along with all of the above, go the usual mark making tools; sticks, credit cards, sponges, paper towel – anything and everything that can make marks including fingers…and I use them all in some way to create paintings and mixed media work.

For a further look at the materials I use, here’s a link to a video I made:

‘Are you interested in art materials?’

Finding your favourite products, materials, tools of the trade is really a matter of experimentation and taste; for example, I prefer heavyweight cartridge paper or hot pressed watercolour paper rather than the rough surfaced paper such as Khadi. I find the rough surface doesn’t respond as well to the way I work…but in the end, it all comes down to individual preferences… These are just a few of my favourite things….

And just in case you felt this was all beginning to feel a little like a shopping list…here’s another of my favourite things…

‘The beach has a language of its own, with its undulating ribbons of silt, the imponderable hieroglyphs of bird tracks. The receding waves catch on the innumerable holes in the sand. Bubbles form and fade. A new language, with a new alphabet…’ – Franny Billingsley

Other inspirations this week:

• This post by Tasha Goddard on her Substack ‘Illustrating Life’…

  Illustrating Life

  2025: Inspiration, authenticity and embracing maximalism

  ‘Welcome,’ to the many new subscribers, and ‘Hey there, did you miss me?’ to old friends. It’s lovely to be back in your inboxes; thank you for holding my place, while I dithered and dallied through …

  Read more

  a year ago · 16 likes · 11 comments · Tasha Goddard

  I know we’re now in February, but as I said last week, I’m having a very slow start to 2025, and I loved the idea of the ‘bingo card’!! Also, she has a great idea for ‘morning pages’ if you’re finding writing 3 pages difficult, or don’t find them helpful!!

• The beautiful images of Eva Nemeth…

• A recent trip to the Cotswolds; even though the weather was pretty awful, we still managed to wander around some of the pretty towns and villages…here’s a row of cottages that dates back to the 1400s in Burford…

• And, retreating from the wet weather, we came across Daylesford Organic Farm shop…

  Absolutely fabulous…although I’m not sure I would do my weekly shop there!!

Until next time, happy creating!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

‘Not to want to say, not to know what you want to say, not to be able to say what you think you want to say, and never to stop saying, or hardly ever, that is the thing to keep in mind, in the heat of composition’ – Samuel Beckett

I will be honest, sometimes, when I sit to write these posts, I have no idea what I am going to write about… There are weeks when something interesting has happened; work has progressed, an event has taken place, a lesson has been learnt or I have been somewhere, anywhere, for example, and then I know what I am going to write about and what I want to say. Other weeks, especially this year, I literally have no idea…even though, according to Mark Twain,

‘Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.’

and, even if, by some miracle, I have made a start, I have written the wrong words…

‘It’s perfectly okay to write garbage – as long as you edit brilliantly,’ – C. J. Cherryh

'In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world awaits you.'

For a New Beginning - John O'Donohue

And it’s much the same with my art; sometimes I don’t know what I want my work to say or be, or where I want it to go…but I know that I have to make a ‘beginning’…or I will stagnate, the work will cease to develop. Every time I grab that larger sheet of paper it feels like a new beginning…

I love that idea of ‘unfurling myself into the grace of beginning…stepping onto new ground…’, each sheet an eager recipient of splatters and puddles of paint, swooshes of ink or trails and wanderings of crayons… And I am becoming more comfortable with the knowledge that not every sheet will be a ‘masterpiece’; I just know that some of my ‘beginnings’ will be destined for the collage box …and, although it has taken me a long time, I am finally okay with that!

Each sheet is waiting to teach me lessons; how much paint and water to splash onto the surface, how much ‘dabbing’ and scraping it will stand, how much is too much granulation fluid, what colour combinations I like or don’t like, how to obtain soft layers of washes, how much scribble is too much scribble – I could go on – and, once the materials have helped to shift my work those few steps forward, the paper, with all its splodges and puddles, drips and trails, impressions and marks moves onto the next stage of its usefulness.

And something else that I am also finally okay with, is taking the steps at my pace, developing the work as I like – and not worrying about what other people think too much…

‘Do you know what happens

when you decide to stop worrying about

about what other people might think of you?

You get to dance. You get to sing.

You get to laugh loudly, paint, write, and create.

You get to be yourself…’

Doe Zantamata

‘Trusting in myself’, along with ‘progress before perfection’, are two mantras I’m trying to incorporate into my mindset this year…

'She rises before the world
Has opened its sleepy eyes.
With a tangerine kiss
She whispers good morning
In colours that gently
Break a new day.'
Rise - Brianna Schenkelberg

In order to make space for new work, I’m continuing to de-clutter, and this week I decided to see if my ‘actual’ inventory matched my Excel spreadsheet inventory. Did it? Not a chance; I couldn’t find some work at all in the studio, some paintings I’d listed twice - under different names - and there were quite a few, lots in fact, that were all mounted and framed, ready to go, but, for whatever reason, I hadn’t gotten around to uploading them to my website. I definitely need a better system!! I destroyed 18 old paintings that I felt no longer served me - after making a note of anything I learned from the making. Boy did it feel good to let go of them!! I also rediscovered ‘older’ works - and was reminded of the joy they brought me, and still do…

Top Row - Left to Right:

• Of Salt & Sand & Morning Light

• Winter’s Edge

• Cei Bach (SOLD)

Bottom Row - Left to Right:

• There Lives the Echo of the Sea

• Stormy Harbour

• Blustery Dale

(I’ve included links to the ones listed on my website …but if would like further information on any work of mine, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message…

Other things that have brought me joy this week:

• “A Thousand Feasts” by Nigel Slater. Now, I’m a big fan of Nigel Slater; his uncomplicated recipes, his beautifully filmed television shows…and his writing. This book is an absolute joy from beginning to end.

• Following on from last week’s Instagram recommendation, here’s another artist, whose style and mark making caught my eye…

• I’ve enjoyed gardening guru ‘Monty Don’s British Gardens’ series over on BBC 2 - not sure overseas readers will be able to access the link..apologies..

• I’ve been checking out the YouTube videos of artist Anna Mabella Edgley…always fascinating watching other artists at work!

• There’s been some glorious blue sky days; the rose hued sunrises have been fabulous on my early morning walks. And it’s quite noticeable how the daylight is nibbling away at the dark…

• This ‘Could-do list for January’ by Aimée Francis: okay I know it’s actually February, but acknowledging the fact I’m slowly working my way into 2025, and skipping over the Burns night event, most of these suggestions would be great at any time of the year!

  Flourish & Fare

  A could-do list for January

  Hi lovely, I’m Aimée, a soulful copywriter . Here, on my Substack, I share seasonal tales from my little corner of the Cotswolds. I write about food, heritage, books, travel, creative living, and whimsical musings. Come on in, take off your boots, and cosy up by the fire. I’ll pop the kettle on…

  Read more

  a year ago · 125 likes · 27 comments · Aimée Francis

  “Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.”

  Brené Brown

In honour of Brené Brown, here’s my list of ordinary moments:

1. my first sip of coffee, watching the steam curl upwards

2. indigo nights, scattered stars, distant planets

3. soft apricot sunrises

4. geese - a skein across the sky

5. a flickering candle flame

6. books, waiting to be read

7. a neat and tidy sock drawer - what can I say?

8. pulling on my boots, expectant

9. a bottle of Kandahar black drawing ink

10. raspberry & oat muffins, warm

11. bright green moss, brittle copper beech leaves

12. the promise of a blank sheet of paper

Until next time, happy creating,

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

jkv.

vhf,,.v

“At sunrise, the blue sky paints herself with gold colours and joyfully dances to the music of a morning breeze.'“

Debasish Mridha

‘there is something

inexpressively beautiful

about the world

when the sun begins to rise

and fill the dim sky

with soft rays of light

and only the birds are awake

to sing to you “good morning”

while everyone else

is curled up in their beds

unaware of the magnificence

they’re missing

and everything feels so simple

it’s as if six a.m. is an epiphany

that sparks at your fingertips

and spreads until

you’re encompassed entirely

by a feeling of clarity

there is something

inexpressively beautiful

about being awake to behold

the splendour of this world

while everyone else

is still asleep.’

M. K

I’ve always been a morning person. As a child, growing up on a farm with livestock, there were no such things as ‘lie-ins’. And when our ponies arrived, very early mornings became the norm.

The habit stuck. To me, it seems a waste of a day to lie-in until midday, although I realise I’m lucky, in that it’s my choice to get up early. I love that feeling; a new day, with all the promise that it holds, dawn just beginning to break. Passing traffic is scarce, and I meet only the occasional dog-walker. As the indigo sky melts into velvet clouds edged with blush pink, and the sliver of gold widens, the chorus of birdsong grows ever louder.

As usual, the maelstrom of thoughts, so intrusive before leaving home, begins to fade; the metronomic sound of my footsteps, awareness of my surroundings, and yes, to use a trite phrase, ‘being present in the moment,’ encompasses me.

For me, there is ‘something so expressively beautiful about the world when the sun begins to rise’… I enjoy walking the streets and lanes under the cover of ink black skies. I enjoy the feeling that I’m the only one awake, even though, with lights shining through house windows, I know that’s not the case. I enjoy the pools of amber light cast by street lights, reflected in the receding puddles. I enjoy the medley of house names; Cobbler’s Corner, Badger’s Rest, The Piggery, Hermit’s Nest Cottage, Fox Barn… I enjoy spotting tiny details - laying on the ground, it’s interwoven moss and twigs unravelling, a tiny nest, blown untethered…

And, as the sliver of gold widens, and darkness surrenders to the light, I enjoy the chattering of birds; crows leaving their roosts, geese flying overhead, on their way to feeding grounds, blackbirds squawking as they skitter across the path in front of me. I enjoy seeing how the dawn unfurls; is it going to be sunny day?

The rhythm of my footsteps, the beauty of the morning, and the hope it provides, all work their magic. I return home, remove boots and coat, watch as steam curls upwards from my cup of coffee; my mind is quieter now, all is an oasis of calm…

I’ve been having a Themed Week over on my social media posts. This week, it’s some of my favourite photos:

Each recalls a particular memory for me;

• frosty snowdrops, the image of which, won a competition for me

• boats emerging from the fog; sitting on the harbour wall, coffee in hand, waiting for dolphins

• the view from a summit in Scotland, so proud of my achievement in climbing to the top, after months of ill-health

• a crystallised seed-head, a reminder of the resilience of nature

• the golden hour over the barley fields, a turning point in my journey of grief

Images, whether they be photographs or paintings, can conjure up a myriad of memories and emotions, they can transport you to a time and place - these are just a few of mine.

Apart from my early morning walks, what else has been motivating or interesting me this week?

• I love history, even more so, when it’s the history of a tool I regularly use. This article on the history of pencils is fascinating! Is this really where the phrase ‘Black Market’ came from?

• And talking of history, I really enjoyed this book: The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen

• I’ve recently discover Desiree Brown’s Substack ‘The Second Bloom’, and am currently working my way through the archives. This post about reflection and Marie Kondo - stick with it, she’s not just about folding t-shirts - certainly provided some points to consider!

• Mark making is one of my favourite pastimes. I love bold marks, delicate marks, energetic ones and meandering ones…so I love the work of Richard Zenon who I discovered over here on Instagram.

Until next time, happy creating!

“It is deep January. The sky is hard. The stalks are firmly rooted in ice.” Wallace Stevens

For now, here in Lincolnshire at least, the frost and snow have retreated. Temperatures have fluctuated; from below freezing, to almost spring like, in the space of a day. We’ve experienced frost, snow, blue skies, sunshine, rain…and, on this morning’s walk, fog shrouded the pathways and lanes, cloaking everywhere with a fine, damp gossamer blanket. There was a stillness, punctuated only by passing traffic, or crows. And although I know these pathways well, it was a disorienting experience; favourite trees emerged unexpectedly, views were soft, out-of-focus facsimiles, and blackbirds melted into the gloomy hedgerows.

As I walked along Buggy Bell’s Lane - I really must investigate why the lane is so called - this stand of teasels caught my eye... Yes, I love blue skies, yes I love the warmth of the sun on my face, but, but…this colour palette, the greys, browns and greens, is so my cup of tea. A muted palette punctuated with evergreen grass and leaves of ivy (is it just me, or do wet ivy leaves resemble dark green leather sofas…?)

Like that first sip of coffee, my morning walks are part of my ritual, setting me up for the day. Getting out, walking in the fresh air and appreciating the sights and sounds around me; I feel as if I have already achieved something, and it’s only the start of the day!

Talking about achievements - I’m, amazingly, persisting with the 750words app and still journalling! What’s more, it’s bringing to light some realisations. I’m coming to the conclusion that, in past years, I’ve been too lofty with my goal setting - even just my goals for a season/quarter. I would think nothing of planning my three Big Rock projects as:

1. Creating a whole new body of work - from scratch.

2. There’s a definite discrepancy between the amount of work I produce and my sales. I needed to up my sales game, so was planning a wall-to-wall marketing campaign as well as posting as normal across all social media platforms, including new, weekly YouTube videos.

3. Re-doing my whole website - including all new photos.

And when I didn’t achieve all the above, boy did I give myself a hard time about it. Realistically though, well, I was destined to fail wasn’t I? Not only had I underestimated how long each project would take, I hadn’t taken into account my energy levels, what else was going on in my life, or navigating my Rheumatoid Arthritis.

So, how am I approaching this first quarter of the year? Well, to be fair, the above three projects are still my overall goals - but across the year rather than in one season.

I should add here, that I'm working on being okay with the fact that any goals I set will take longer to achieve…

Baby steps is the phrase I’m keeping in mind; I’m breaking the goals into tiny, manageable steps. Being able to see some progress, however small, is a big plus in my book, providing motivation to continue. Seriously, who doesn’t love crossing tasks off a to-do list?

P. S. I do have a planner/bullet journal, but this week I wrestled with the Notion app - mainly for the project planner with its ability to break down tasks into miniscule steps. After watching lots of ‘How to…’ YouTube videos, I reverted to my Trello boards!!

I can feel the faintest of twitches in my fingers - a desire to begin creating again. But whilst I’m keen to get going and explore new processes and techniques, it remains on pause while I continue sorting out my studio space and crystallising plans. Part of moving forwards involves a little reflection; especially as I’m going though old work. Yes, I want to learn new things, but I don’t want to lose the marks and qualities than define my work.

This painting was created as part of my ‘River Stories’ collection…

I lived close to a river at one time, and it provided inspiration on a daily basis. The changing moods, evocative atmosphere, the cast of characters that lived along its banks, all provided rich pickings for my work…

This painting is a favourite of mine; I love it’s understated quality, the muted palette, the expressive washes and fluidity of line - all things that I wish to take forward into the next body of work.

Click here to be transported to the riverbank…and here to find out more information about the painting itself.

And although the painting (All Along Above the Water) in this video has sold, it provides an idea of the processes used to create the one above…

If you’re allowed to have favourites amongst your own work, then this series comes high on my list!!

Until next time, happy creating!!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

“Unless you open yourself up to trying new things, you can’t find what you love.”

Anon.

And being open to trying new things also, hopefully, helps you find what works for you…

Here I am, starting 2025 full of good intentions, trying to give journalling another go - is this my third, fourth or fifth attempt? “Try going about it in a different way ,” I said, “Get yourself a nice journal, some candles and start writing,” I said, treating myself to this Mini Moments Bundle from Quietivity.

How did I get on? Well, I’d evidently mixed up selecting the 20 minute and 30 minute candle burn time when ordering, because on lighting a candle that first morning, it burned on and on and on, and my writing became increasingly nonsensical!

Oh, I can’t be doing with that every day I thought - that’s far too long and causing far too much angst…and making my hand hurt!

I then heard about the 750words app/website - at the moment I’m on the free 30 day trial - so I thought, ‘Why not give that a go?’ 750words is like the online version of Julia Cameron’s morning pages whereby you would fill three sides of A4 paper with conscious/random writing.

Being digital there are a few more bells, whistles and confetti sprinkles than if you were just to write in a notebook, but strangely, I’m managing to stick with this. Admittedly I’ve only done it for 7 days, but seeing the boxes turn green, not wanting to break the chain, is a motivator for me!!

It’s about finding a way that works for you… We’re all different, we’re all motivated by different things and in different ways; it’s just about what works for you.

Will I stick with the journalling? Thirty days is probably long enough to see if it helps, which, at the moment, I think it does. After that, I will see if it’s something I want to pay a nominal sum for, or just continue in Notes/or a diary - but typing is definitely quicker that writing for me!

And being willing to try new things leads me nicely on to my “Word of the Year”, which, for 2025 I’ve decided is going to be OPENNESS; open to trying new things, open to possibilities, open to saying yes. I’m going to write the word out and pin up in my studio, as well as schedule a monthly check-in to see whether my art/business/life focus is aligned to the spirit of being open.

Do you choose a word of the year, and if so, what is it? If you haven’t chosen one yet, perhaps you’re struggling to settle on one, then this post by Emily Charlotte Powell on her “While I Was Drawing” Substack might interest you; the knowledge that choosing a word doesn’t mean loud fanfares and fireworks - it can creep up on you…

While I Was Drawing

Fragments of Wonder

2025 blew in on stormy winds, the remnants of 2024 washed away in the relentless rain, its final echoes dissolving in rivulets carrying fragments of the past toward the earth…

Read more

a year ago · 26 likes · 21 comments · Emily Charlotte Powell

Do you want to see what I was lucky enough to receive as Christmas gifts?

Here’s the links:

https://www.jacksonsart.com/etchr-panoramic-sketchbook-230gsm-4x8in-hot-pressed

https://www.jacksonsart.com/diane-townsend-artists-pastels-soft-form-damp-earth-set-of-12

https://www.jacksonsart.com/gelli-plate-gel-printing-plate-12x14in

I’ll let you know how I get on with the sketchbook and pastels, and as I said in the video, if you have any tips about gelli plate printing, drop them in the comments below…

The sun is yet to rise high in the sky. The fields are wet and muddy. The wind whips my hair across my face and brings tears to my eyes, but… The crows are cawing ever louder in their tree-top roosts, blackbirds are scurrying hither and thither on the path, gathering materials for making nests. Snowdrops are blooming in a nearby garden, and signs of more flowers to come are everywhere as bulbs rouse from their slumber. Nature is doing what nature does best; reminding us that from darkness, light will come. From apparent barrenness, shoots emerge. From winter’s stark beauty, abundance will flourish.

I walk through the gate, open to the possibilities of what lies beyond…

“When you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life.”

Eckhart Tolle

Until next time, happy painting!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

“May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours…”

John O’Donohue

And so the year has turned. Celebrations are over. A blank page lies before me…

Promise

Remember, the time of year
when the future appears
like a blank sheet of paper
a clean calendar, a new chance.
On thick white snow
You vow fresh footprints
then watch them go
with the wind's hearty gust.
Fill your glass. Here's tae us. Promises
made to be broken, made to last.

Jackie Kay

Every year at this time, we’re exhorted to ‘plan, set resolutions, choose a word’ - the choice is yours. But with the remaining winter darkness stretching out ahead of me, I can’t help but feel the continuing pull of hibernation (and the weather is certainly contributing to that feeling!); to luxuriate in the flickering candlelight, to delight in the still twinkling lights, reading the books piled high by my bedside and enjoying my footsteps crunching on the frosted earth.

I have no problem scrolling back through my camera roll, memories sparked by the countless photos. But ask me if I’m ready for a full-on reflective review of my art - both work and business - and I would answer “No”; let me have a few more days of blissful denial or ignorance.

I’ll admit I find it difficult to be objective when reflecting and reviewing; my default setting is to look for negatives, to judge myself - harshly. Reading this note by Carmen Luisa put a different slant on things, a slant I hadn’t previously considered:

Also, as my OH said, ‘If you only look at/for the negatives, nothing will change; it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Being objective, being honest - asking yourself if what you think is really true - is the basis of change, of moving forwards.’

This post:

Rituals & Remedies - for quiet business rebels

Year end business rituals

Read more

a year ago · 11 likes · Stacey Lee Brebner

…resonated with me because of the gentle questions and focus on the positives; by default, you discard what no longer serves you, or is not as important as you once thought.

One thing that has definitely helped me to be more objective is keeping an Annual Planner, where I track numbers and keep records and notes…here’s a comparison of my 2020 social media numbers alongside this year.

It’s slow and steady growth, but it’s organic. I don’t subscribe to ‘buying followers’: I much prefer to grow my numbers with genuinely interested people, to build a community. And making note of fabulous feedback gives me a boost, and reminds me of what I can do!

“Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.” Michael Josephson

But if we must set resolutions, goals, intentions etc., then setting them without the ‘why,’ i.e. Why are you trying to achieve this? Why is this important to you?, is the road to failure - at least, for me it is. I need a clear understanding of the importance behind the aim, as well as a plan, with measurable milestones along the way.

• '“Get fit” is a perennial resolution of mine, always doomed to failure as it’s non-specific, too broad. Why do I want to get fit? What’s my quantifiable goals? How am I going to break them down?

• “Make my art/art business a success.” Again, it’s too vague; what do I mean by ‘a success’? What does success look like to me?

You’re getting the picture, right?

What I should be saying is:

• I want to improve my fitness so that I remain as healthy as possible for as long as possible; to see my children and grandchildren grow. I want to foster a healthy lifestyle etc., as that will improve my energy levels and manage my Rheumatoid Arthritis…

• I have to determine what ‘success’ looks like to me with regard to my art. Does that mean I create two bodies of work this coming year for example? Do I set subscriber number goals, financial goals etc? Where do I need to focus my attention? How am I going to achieve these goals? What steps do I need to take? Do I need external help?

And, as well as being specific about the whys and the hows, I should also be realistic about time frames and energy levels: acknowledgement of which is more conducive to success than sweeping statements.

All that being said, as I’ve grown older I’m more acutely aware that life isn’t linear; there are ups and downs, times when you race forwards, and times when it feels as if it takes all your effort just to stand still. So while it’s good to have a plan, it’s also good to build in flexibility - to allow for when things don’t quite run smoothly, as well as time to dream.

This post from Elin Petronella expands further on why the journey and staying true to yourself is important…

Follow Your Gut

Why dreams should matter more than goals

Hi there…

Read more

a year ago · 32 likes · 14 comments · Elin Petronella

Although I’ve yet to totally hone in on my ‘targets’, one thing that keeps floating around, is a desire to make/improve my work space, (whilst waiting for my OH to build the garden studio). To make a space that truly reflects my personality and art.

Reading this post by Fiona D. Artisan in her Seasonal Creativity Substack:

Seasonal Creativity

Winter Studio Notes

Welcome to my wee corner of Substack. I am a seasonal artist living on the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. I am the custodian of approximately two acres of land that includes a woodlan…

Read more

a year ago · 13 likes · 5 comments · Fiona D Artisan

and listening to Episode 74 of Steph Casswell’s ‘Creating Happy Writers’ podcast has planted a seed.

But before any such ‘re-arranging/improvements’ can take place, a huge clear out is required. In order to ready the spare bedroom for family guests, all my work and assorted ‘stuff’’ was dumped in the studio - consequently, I can just about get in, turn around, and come out again!!

Below are three works I’ve discovered that didn't even make it onto my website - definitely need a better system!!

As is always the case, New Year or not, when embarking on a new series of work, I feel the urge to clear the decks, to make way for exploring and experimenting; I sense a studio sale in the offing!!

Until next time, happy creating!

P.S. If you’re still not ready for full-on, hit the ground running mode, just remember:

“Winter reminds us that everyone and everything needs some quiet time.”

Katrina Mayer

“I spend my time reading, eating, sleeping. The good, quiet life, with nothing to do. And little by little, the water tank fills up.”

Bernard Moitessier

It’s that’s almost, but not quite stage: some people never stopped working over the festive season, some have already returned to work, and some won’t start again until Monday.

I’m lucky; I’m in the latter category. I aim to be sending out my first ‘proper’ 2025 post next Friday, 10th January. In the meantime, here’s a list of my top 5 Substack posts from 2024 - just in case you fancied some light reading, were a new subscriber and therefore haven’t read all the back library yet, or just wanted a refresh!

Coming in at No.1:

At No. 2 you’ll find:

No. 3 finds me hibernating (again!!):

No.4 tells the tale of my childhood dream, and how it didn’t come to fruition:

And at No.5 is:

I hope you enjoyed my most popular posts from last year! Normal service will be resumed next week!

Until then, happy creating!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

“The light of the Christmas star to you. The warmth of home and hearth to you. The cheer of goodwill of friends to you.” Sherryl Woods: An O’Brien Family Christmas

Before we are swamped with preparations, dashes to the supermarket or shops for forgotten items, wrapping last minute presents or visits to family and friends, I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your interest and support over this past year - it has meant so very much to me!

I’ve read such a lot about the best ways to grow my Substack offering - with regard to subscriber numbers - most of which seems alien to me. I’ve just stuck at it, doing things my way - and it’s been a joy to build this small community, to get to know some of you better, and to be able to call you my ‘creative friends’….

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

All that remains for me to do, before I sign off for the year, is to:

Wish you A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy & Creative New Year!!

Until next year, happy painting!

P.S. Look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!!

“This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future: the place of caught breath.” Margaret Atwood

“The place of caught breath,”: that moment of stillness, perfectly balanced. As we look back and as we look forwards. It’s as if the veil has lifted between two worlds, and there is a hiatus, an expectant hush…

The spirit-world around this world of sense

Floats like an atmosphere, and everywhere

Wafts through these early mists and vapours dense

A vital breath of more ethereal air,’

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

However much I’m taking my time, hunkering down and hibernating, enjoying the twinkling Christmas lights and flickering candles, on reaching the solstice, a small, internal voice cheers…

And, although I’m fully subscribing to this sentiment by Brianna Wiest in ‘The Pivot Year’:

…there’s still a sigh of ‘at last, longer, warmer days are coming…’

As we’re nearing the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect. Twelve months is a long time. Life happens, experiences good and bad; we’re no longer the same people that we were in January.

I always like to have a look through my camera roll - it never ceases to amaze me how much I forget! I’ve made a short video of some of my year’s highlights, both in my art and life in general; I’ve been very lucky, and that’s not something I take for granted…

I also like to take a look at what has been inspiring me this year:

• As referenced in the above video, both Janette Phillips…

  …and Sam Boughton have greatly inspired me this year; new ways of looking, new brands, new processes etc., but probably the biggest takeaway from them was to just ‘have a go', to ‘keep trying and experimenting’…something I’m looking forward to continuing in the coming year.

• The landscape always plays a huge part in my life, both for inspiration, for relaxation and for ‘grounding’ me (no pun intended!) and I’ve been lucky this year to visit some fabulous places…

• The limited palette of Andrew Wyeth:

and the aesthetics of countyroadliving and mardibusby_artanddesign , all of which reinforce the idea that bright colours aren’t everything!

• The poetry of Samuel Hurley…his use of such evocative language to convey thoughts and emotions is ‘a place of caught breath’ - to borrow from Margaret Atwood. And his voice is fab too!

• Being a member of The Connected Artist Club run by artist Alice Sheridan. Working at home, can be a lonely business, so it’s great to feel part of a community of like-minded people, as well as the club being a wonderful source of information and inspiration.

• Without wishing to appear too morbid, growing older, acknowledging my own mortality, has, in a strange way, inspired me. Admitting to oneself that your time is finite, is liberating. I find myself caring less and less what strangers think about me. I find myself saying yes to more things. I’m finding that I’m much more focussed on what’s really important…

“In the end, we'll all become stories.”

Margaret Atwood

What’s inspired you this year? What’s your story?

Finally for today, amongst all the hustle and bustle of the approaching Christmas festivities, I’m going to pause, to take a moment - to cherish and cheer…

‘No more hurry, hurry,

time now for firelight and for dreaming,

for church bells mingling

with the cold quiet sunlight

And somewhere deep inside of you

a kernel of courage – unfurling

each day, more light,’

Irene Latham

Until next time, happy painting!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

“after John Donne’s ‘A Nocturnal on St Lucy’s Day”

At midday on the year’s midnight
into my mind came
I saw the new moon late yestreen
wi the auld moon in her airms
though, no,
there is no moon of course –
there’s nothing very much to speak of anything to speak of
in the sky except a gey dreich greyness
rain-laden over Glasgow and today
there is the very least of even this for us to get
but
the light comes back
the light always comes back
and this begins tomorrow with
however many minutes more of sun and serotonin.

Meanwhile
there will be the winter moon for us to love the longest,
fat in the frosty sky among the sharpest stars,
and lines of old songs we can’t remember
why we know
or when first we heard them
will aye come back
once in a blue moon to us
unbidden

and bless us with their long-travelled light.”

Liz Lochhead

I’ll admit to not being familiar with St. Lucy’s Day, so had to do some research…discovering that it’s held on 13th December; a Feast day to commemorate St. Lucia, an early 4th Century martyr. In Scandinavian countries ‘Festivals of Light’ are held, heralding the beginning of the Christmas period…bringing hope and light during the darkest time of the year.

And next week, we celebrate the Winter Solstice:

“The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time -- a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken.”

Frederick Lenz

Is it just me, or does the year(s) seem to rush by more quickly now…? Or is that just our perception as we get older…

I’m trying to take time, in the busy rush up to Christmas, to savour those liminal times; sunrise and sunset. Magic seems to linger in these moments. Five minutes spent watching dark velvet nights melting into apricot sunrises or evenings, where the sky turns lavender and blush pink before the stars twinkle once more, is just what’s required to get perspective, to settle me, to help me find my place. A moment of stillness…

Seijaku (say-jah-koo) | Japanese: Profound stillness and peace found in moments of solitude and quiet reflection. Seijaku reminds us that solitude isn’t loneliness; it’s a sacred space for self-discovery and renewal.

But it also wouldn’t be Christmas without a little fun…so here goes:

• C is for charcoal. Every so often, when I feel I’m getting a little predictable, always reaching for my favourite inks or brushes, I’ll grab some charcoal. I love it’s soft, expressive qualities…

  (See these in more detail on my website…)

• H is for heart. This quote by Anna Pavlova certainly holds true for me:

  “Where there is no heart there is no art.” If I’m not feeling it, if I’m just going through the motions, I know that I won’t be happy with anything I produce!

• R is for ‘Rediscover - Re-connect - Re-emerge’, a fabulous Substack offering by David Barton, on living more slowly, intentionally and in tune with the seasons…

• I is for ink. Inks must be one of my favourite mediums; I love their fluidity and ability to create a contrast of washes - I just love ‘Playing around with Inks’!!

• S is for sketchbooks. Fat ones, thin ones, landscape or square format - I love them all, and if you don’t believe me, take a look at this short ‘live’ video I did a while ago…

• T is for Turner - JMW, in case you were wondering. One of my favourite paintings, Turner creates such fabulous energy and atmosphere; I feels as if I’m right in the middle of the storm, being tossed this way and that…

  

• M is for mark-making. There’s something so delicious about making marks; large ones, small ones, thin ones, fat ones… And what’s your favourite tool?

  

• A is for Art Graf; again, a favourite material of mine. It’s so useful to take out sketching as it can be used both wet and dry, and can create a variety of marks. And here’s me faffing around with some!

• S is for Substack. I did toy with ‘Social Media’ - it’s not all bad is it - but Substack won out because, over this year especially, I’ve come to realise I really enjoy writing these posts and the community we’re creating here!

And if you would really like a laugh, then click to watch ‘The Secret Collage Agent!’

Enjoy!!

Until next time, happy painting!

I didn’t used to, but as I’ve grown older, I’m more mindful about what I buy as gifts for others, and about what I would like, if I’m lucky enough to receive a present! To paraphrase the Shaker maxim; things should be beautiful (bring me joy), or useful.

So, with that in mind, I’ve put together a list full of beautiful, inspiring or useful items, (or all three together!):

• Always love a good book, and this one has been recommended by several artists: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

• I’m a sucker for a beautiful notebook, so would appreciate any of these from either The Journal Shop, or from Katie Leamon.

• I love the sea, so to light this Coastal Walks candle from Norfolk Natural Living, and be transported there on its perfume would be heavenly…

• Having joined the Printers Inc. group, I’m slowly re-discovering my love of printing. Although there is a press available to use when we have our monthly meetings, at home, I’m limited to mono-printing… Or I thought I could try Gelli plate printing…now I just need the plate, and some acrylic paints!

• This poster is so apt for me!!

• Just love the look of these chunky Diane Townsend soft pastels from Jacksons Art - although I might give the fluorescent set a miss…

• And has anyone tried these Etchr sketchbooks…?

• I’m a big fan of Nigel Slater - his relaxed style of cooking is right up my street - so his memoir, ‘A Thousand Feasts,’ also finds its way onto my list!

• I also love the work of Andy Goldsworthy so this exhibition sounds wonderful!

• If money was no object, this Extra Large Jumbo Calligraphy brush would be on my wishlist - although I think I would probably just sit looking at it, too scared to use it!

• As I mentioned earlier, I love a good notebook, so discovering the origins of keeping a notebook sounds interesting…The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen

• I’ve always loved beautiful handwriting, so this Calligraphy Set would hopefully set me off on the right track!

Lists are my way of coping with overwhelm. Ensuring that I’ve noted down all the stuff I need to do/organise/purchase or post, whether that’s for my art, life in general, or the upcoming Christmas celebrations, is an immediate stress-reliever for me. Categorising the lists further, into ‘urgent/some time this week/can wait a while’ also guarantees that the most pressing tasks get done. And nothing helps to clear my head and organise my thoughts than a walk, especially on such a morning…

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.”

John Burroughs

Shards of splintered ice lay strewn across the verge, slowly surrendering to the sun’s warmth. Each blade of grass, every towering umbellifer glitters in the roseate light. There is a stillness, a silence, broken only by a lone crow, cawing from the nearby tree top. The lane is a velvet carpet of white, patterned with tyre tracks. I pause close to the copse and adjacent hedge, movement catching my eye. Climbing skywards, a kite, with its distinctive forked tail and russet plumage.

Draped along the hedge, a spider’s web of clematis vitalba, Old Man’s Beard as I call it, sparkling diamonds against the dark foliage. Scattered on the ground, lichen clad twigs and branches. A twisted shape, tangled in the hedge, piqued my curiosity. Closer inspection revealed the frozen corpse of a pigeon. Tattered feathers, curled ‘toes’ gripping an imaginary roost, head to one side, as if questioning its predicament; retracting my hand, I left it in its foliated tomb.In the space of a few yards, I acknowledged life and death. The majestic kite now circling overhead, and the bedraggled pigeon, frozen in a somewhat macabre hedgerow tableau; the vagaries of life, the uncertainties, laid bare.

As I walked home, stopping to breathe in the crisp air, to wonder at the blue skies, and delight in the scattering ice flakes, I resolved to notice. To organise myself so that I have time to rejoice in the moment…

Continuing on the theme of lists, what’s your favourite Christmas songs/carols? Here’s a few of mine, in no particular order; I like to have them playing in the background whilst I’m in the studio, writing cards, wrapping presents…

• Yes, it’s the old cliché one, Chris Rea and ‘Driving Home for Christmas’. My OH used to work away a lot when the boys were small, and his Christmas Eve’s were spent ‘driving home for Christmas’…so it always reminds of that time…

• This one always feel extra Christmassy to me…’Carol of the Bells…’

• Hearing this one, takes me right back to my school days and singing it during the Christmas Concert.

• The wonderful voice of Judy Garland and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas…’

• Another one that takes me back to the school concert, although I’m not sure our rendition reached these dizzy heights!!

• Can you do Christmas without a little Michael Bublé…?

• And, one Christmas, I promise myself I will ride in a troika across the snow…

I could keep adding to this list, but why don’t you let me know your favourite Christmas carol/song/tune…?

Reading Rebecca Solnit’s ‘A Field Guide to Getting Lost’, I came across this quote:

“How will you go about finding that thing the nature of which is totally unknown to you?”

Meno

I thought it so apt for the work that’s going on in my studio at the moment; experimenting, investigating, discovering…

Trying to find that elusive ‘it’ involves an awful lot of ‘not knowing’; not knowing the best paper to use, not knowing the best inks, not knowing exactly how to mix the colours/shades I want, not knowing how to obtain the effects I ‘want’, not knowing whether to varnish or not etc.

I grab sheet after sheet, splashing the ink and paint around, letting layers dry or working wet-in-wet, trying to find the ‘thing’; so many sheets in fact that I’m in danger of being swamped by an avalanche of paper!

And the ‘going about, finding out’, involves pauses, casting a critical eye, determining what I like and don’t like; so far, these two are my favourites. There’s something about the layers of soft washes and variety of marks that pleases me - fingers crossed, I’m on my way to finding out that ‘thing which is unknown to me.’

Until next time, happy painting!

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home."

- Edith Sitwell

In no particular order, here are some things I’m attempting to incorporate in these winter months, whether that’s physically or as a mindset re-frame:

1. Make my creative space a place that I enjoy being in. I’m continuing with the de-cluttering, and although there’s still a way to go, it already feels more organised - which, in turn, makes me less stressed!

2. And I’ve been on a mission with my emails too! I have blocked/unsubscribed from so many things; it’s fabulous to open my inbox and not feel overwhelmed!

3. Draw, paint, doodle, write - for 1 minute, 10 minutes, an hour…

4. Journal - get down all those random thoughts. Write about what’s been inspiring me…

5. Carry a small notebook/sketchbook and pencil everywhere.

6. Be open to possibilities.

7. Make a plan, or a to-do list - but don’t be a slave to it!

8. As much as possible, try to remove what isn’t essential - from my studio, home…life…

9. If I like it, that’s all that really matters.

10. Acknowledge the ups and downs - but learn to let them go.

11. Light the ‘best candles’ - what am I saving them for?

12. Make soup. A bowl of steaming hot, comforting soup, drizzled with olive oil or cream and a crack of black pepper - yum!

13. Read; fiction, non-fiction, blog posts, Substack posts - anything that sparks my interest!

14. Stop with the doom-scrolling.

15. Not give myself a hard time if I haven’t painted a masterpiece every day!

16. Perfectionism isn’t a healthy goal - I’m never going to be perfect, ‘things’ are never going to be perfect. Near enough or done is ‘perfectly’ fine!!

Whilst ‘cosy’ might be the order of the season, there’s nothing like getting out for a walk and returning home with fingers, toes and cheeks tingling, especially if you’ve been treated to this:

(Apologies for the dodgy camera work - trying to ensure I’d got the skein ‘in shot’ with my steamed up glasses wasn’t easy!)

Seeing, and hearing geese always reminds me of the Mary Oliver poem, ‘Wild Geese’:

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

Inspirations this week have included:

• Rediscovering the work of Lena Gemzoe over on YouTube…

• Simple things, such as watching the last of the field maple tree leaves twirl gently to the ground:

• Getting to know my fellow Printers Inc colleagues. I’m looking forward to seeing their exhibition at The Hub in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, which runs from 7 Dec 2024 - 30 Mar 2025.

• This post by David Barton reminding us that ‘to every thing there is a season’…and we should take the time to notice and enjoy…

• And talking of enjoyment, how wonderful is the photography of ‘natures.moods’…?

• Plus the miniature landscapes and muted palettes of Suzanne McNenly are a delight…

• Also, I’ve been brushing up on the phases of the moon…

• I’ve been a huge fan of Norman Ackroyd’s work for a long time, so was sad to hear of his passing in September. Now, being part of the Printers Inc group, I thought I ought to watch a master at work in this documentary, ‘Norman Ackroyd: What Do Artists Do All Day?’

• As you know, I do love a concertina sketchbook, so I was very happy to come across the work of Lesley Mackay…Check out her reels showcasing her sketchbook work…

The vibe in the studio has been one of experimenting. I’ve been trying different papers, adding gel medium, varnishing…. No, I haven’t achieved the result I’m looking for yet; when I do, you can be sure I will let you know!!

I do like this one, painted on the wallpaper lining paper…but worry about its archival quality if I was to sell it…?

In the meantime, this one started out okay, but as I explain, a huge cauliflower bloom was so obvious, I tried to disguise it - and that’s when the problems started….

It’s back to the drawing board…some days it works, others, it doesn’t…

So, next, I started this one:

But, now I think I’m in danger of overworking it…

…maybe something just to add some brightness/contrast…?

And not one to stop while I’m on a roll…

Finally beginning to get something I like… Some weeks, that’s how it goes, isn’t it!

Until next time, happy painting!

My creative work is available to all for free, but if you have the means and would like to support the effort, time, heart and soul that I put into creating/curating this space, then please consider becoming a paid subscriber - it helps me to continue creating..

…and re-read this book…

I’ve said before, I love the changing seasons, but can, when days are an endless grey, become a little gloomy. Reading how other cultures embrace the ‘darkness’ provides an alternative perspective, along with the acknowledgment that I can look upon the shorter days and that sense of ‘hibernation’ as a time of gathering; resources, inspirations, ideas, directions…just waiting to burst into life come Spring.

"Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that's where the transformation occurs. "

Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

If you want some ideas on how to savour these winter months, have a read of ‘How to Enjoy Winter (Even If You Hate It)’ on Almost the Weekend blog.

Gathering information and inspiration was exactly my intention last weekend when I visited the Manchester Art Fair for the first time. The desire to step up and push my work further, would mean finding other places to exhibit.

Manchester Art Fair had received positive recommendations from artist friends, so I thought I would check it out - mainly to see if I would feel out of my depth participating in such an event…

In no particular order, here are my initial thoughts:

• It’s a really central location with easy access to metro links - so footfall should hopefully be good.

• It’s held in a purpose built convention centre so not at the mercy of the weather, unlike other fairs I’ve participated in, where I’ve been in a marquee and, even in summer, experienced everything from heatwaves to biblical downpours.

• There’s a real variety of art/genres. I thought that there might not be any watercolourists, but was delighted to see several works in watercolours/inks.

• The artwork on display was in a range of sizes, from small (6” x 6”) to large…well over a metre square, or bigger.

• Prices ranged from £100 to £24k (That was the most expensive one I saw…and it had a red dot!).

• Some artists were selling cards, but you would have to sell a lot of cards to cover your costs!

• People were there to purchase artwork rather than learn about materials and processes etc.

Going around, seeing the art, there was several that caught my eye, but I was really drawn to:

• A couple of watercolours by Javier Plata…

• The landscapes of Karin Friedli…

• The joyous colours of Gabriella Buckingham…

• The beautiful ‘fish’ prints of Jane Evans…

• The colour palette, marks and textures of the works by Alice Sheridan…

• The ‘barely there, making every mark count’ work by Jamie Frost…

• Along with the draughtsmanship of Mark Demsteader…

And the colours in this watercolour by Jacqui Watkins were right up my street:

So where does that leave me with regards to the Fair? Well, I’ve registered my interest for 2025 - whether my application would be successful is another matter, but it gives me a goal for the coming year! And, having a goal gives me a ‘kick up the posterior’ to push on with experimenting/doing the work… Do you work better with goals and deadlines?

Other inspirations this week include:

• The morning after the previous dreary, dank day… The moon and the sun welcomed me, the cold winds ruffled my hair…and it felt good!

• Learning a new word. I love language, discovering the etymology of a word…as well as extending my vocabulary…

  Thanks to Laura Pashby who, in her recent ‘Chasing Fog’ book, introduced me to the word MARESCENT meaning ‘withering without falling off.’ Who knew there was a word to describe those last, lingering leaves…?

  

• The YouTube Shorts of ‘Mixed Media Art by Trina’ - just my sort of thing!

• Aimée Francis’s Substack ‘Flourish & Fare’ - the gentle rhythms of her posts really speak to me…

• This quote by Brooke Hampton: “I am pieces of all the places I have been, and the people I have loved. I’ve been stitched together by song lyrics, book quotes, adventure, late night conversations, moonlight and the smell of coffee.”

• Continuing to compare the Daler Rowney acrylic inks with the Golden High Flow:

P.S. And, in case you missed it - here’s me swishing water and ink around!

Until next time, happy painting!

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.” T.S. Eliot

Is it too soon? Am I getting ahead of myself?

It’s a grey, wet November afternoon - the sun hasn’t made an appearance for days. A cup of ginger and lemon tea sends curls of steam into the air. A LEUCHTTURM1917 Notebook sits in front of me. I take a deep breath. It might only be the middle of November but I’m going to do it! I’m going to draw out my 2025 diary.

Yes, I know you can purchase ready-printed diaries, but I often find they don’t suit my needs, and lots of pages go untouched. Hence, I create my own using these particular Leuchtturm notebook. Artist Anna F MacDonald got me started with this method of ‘Bullet Journalling’ - she runs a course if you’d like to know more. As the years pass, I adapt the diary, creating useful, meaningful pages that keep me on track - mostly!

So, with Alexa playing a medley of my favourite songs - (everything from Genesis, ELO, Warren Zevon…through The Style Council, The Communards, Tears for Fears, (you can tell I was a child of the 70s/80s!) Michael Bublé, Pink, Lady A to Benson Boone - although when she streamed Chris Rea and ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ I did wonder if she was trying to tell me something) - I began.

Time whizzed by, and, after a couple of sessions, I’d finished! If you’d like to know what I put in the various segments, drop me a message.

It’s one of those jobs that, after the initial ‘setting out’, you can do on auto-pilot. So, ‘singing along’ - although I’m not sure I’d describe it as actually singing -drawing lines, my mind began to wander. And from nowhere, or perhaps it was there, deep in my sub-conscious, a ‘Word for the Year’ popped into my head.

Now, I should stress that I’ve a bit of a love/hate relationship with ‘Words/Resolutions’; each year starts with good intentions, but navigating the ups and downs inevitably leads to the ‘Word,’ and the intention behind it, going out of the window…

But, with the New Year approaching, a little self-reflection can hopefully lay foundations.

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” Nido Ruben

Being honest with oneself is a start - however uncomfortable it makes me feel! Has this year (so far…), gone as I’d have liked with my art? I’d have to answer ‘No, not entirely.’ I’d describe it as ‘so-so’. Stop, start. Bursts of activity followed by slumps.

And this is where honesty comes in. Have I applied myself as diligently as I perhaps should have? No. Have I carved out regular studio time? No. Have I had an actual plan? No. Have I wallowed when sales have been low/non-existent? Yes.

Basically, have I put the hours in? No.

I understand the rhythms of my creativity; if I’m not ‘feeling’ it, I can’t force it. That only leads to a pile of ‘rubbish’ and even more reason to feel bad - and a vicious circle is born.

But, have I used those ‘non-creating’ times as pro-actively as I should have? No.

I know, enough with this self-flagellation right!! Where’s it going? Well, I said earlier, a ‘Word for the Year’ popped into my head - and what’s the word?

Consistency

When musing over the year, even if not openly acknowledging why things haven’t progressed, my subconscious knew the reasons. Publishing this Substack every week, and keeping up with my daily Duolingo French are the only constants.

I’m a big believer in listening to my instincts, and the fact that this word, totally unprompted, sprang to mind, is probably the Universe’s way of telling me something - isn’t it? Even if that’s not the case, well, that’s my Word for 2025. I’m going to write it on the front of the diary: a daily reminder…

For those of us who are experiencing a period of 'Stuckness’ in our creativity, here are some more thoughts:

• Artist Laura Harris looks on the feeling of being stuck as a gift…

• Marianne Mitchell tells a story…

• Helen Hallows discusses creative cycles in this blog post…

• Tara Leaver poses some questions…

• The Creative Life suggests 11 ways to getting ‘unstuck’…

I’ve never been an untidy person. I’ve always disliked it when things are in a mess, whether that’s actual things/rooms etc, or paperwork/filing and the such like. I prefer things to be organised, that way I’m free to focus on what matters. With that in mind, I’ve been continuing to tidy/declutter my studio space.

Being honest also comes into play here; how many materials have I bought with all good intentions, only for them to stay unused on the shelves…? Some I know, are just not my ‘thing’ - so why do I hang on to them? Well, the feeling like I’ve wasted my money for one thing. But I’m determined to streamline and so several items/materials have found new homes. Dried up pens and marker pens have been consigned to the bin. Paper has been sorted into the various types e.g. watercolour, cartridge etc… And sketchbooks have been divided into ‘Finished/New/Partially Used’ ones, which of course entailed peeking through them…

It’s so interesting to look back through them, remembering times and locations, what interested me then, what still interests me, and what could perhaps spark further exploration… I find they’re such valuable sources of inspiration! Are you a ‘sketchbook’ person, or do you prefer a different method of recording ideas/thoughts/inspiration?

And talking about creative spaces, here’s a post by Emily Male that highlights how carving out your own particular creative environment and rituals can help with productivity…

For me, no painting session can start without…

What else has been holding my attention this week:

• The new series of ‘Wolf Hall’ based on the books of Hilary Mantel. I’ve been binge watching the previous series, the Tudor period of history being a favourite of mine.

• The textures and colour palettes of artist KAJARD on Instagram.

• Not sure it’s that thrilling, but it’s got to be done: gathering all my account details ready for filing my tax return.

And to end this post, Mary Oliver, always a favourite, writes beautifully about the passing of autumn:

Fall Song

Another year gone, leaving everywhere
its rich spiced residues: vines, leaves,

the uneaten fruits crumbling damply
in the shadows, unmattering back

from the particular island
of this summer, this NOW, that now is nowhere

except underfoot, moldering
in that black subterranean castle

of unobservable mysteries – roots and sealed seeds
and the wanderings of water. This

I try to remember when time’s measure
painfully chafes, for instance when autumn

flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing
to stay – how everything lives, shifting

from one bright vision to another, forever
in these momentary pastures.

Until next time, happy painting!

My November Guest

My sorrow, when she's here with me.
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be; 
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.

Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list;
She's glad the birds are gone away,
She's glad her simple worsted grey
Is silver now with clinging mist.

The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.

Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise.

Robert Frost

‘Light and shade, light and shade.’ It’s no secret, I love our changing seasons; I find beauty in their differences. The glorious autumnal light of October slipping quietly into November; a lull before the lights and celebrations of December.

This month so often seen as a grey month, filled with dank, gloomy mornings, is a celebratory month for us with family birthdays. But it is also now, a month tinged with sadness; Mum passed away three years ago on a dark November. morning. I can’t believe it’s been that long: I miss her wisdom, her loving kindness, and her silly humour. The sense of loss is, at times, almost palpable.

But Nature, with her rhythms, comforts me; the variations in ‘light and shade’. Just as she endures the loss, the shedding of her glory, so I too, have to hold fast. To acknowledge that, without the dark, I wouldn’t cherish the light. Without the starkness of winter, I wouldn’t treasure the bounty of spring, the rebirth.

And talking of births, we are expecting a new addition to the family soon, another November birthday celebration - a great-niece (ooh, doesn’t that make me sound old?) A tangible reminder of the ‘light and shade.’

P.S. If you want to read a more ethereal, atmospheric take on November, then click here to read Laura Pashby’s note to the month.

A change of scene never goes amiss. A hop over the county border into Norfolk was the order of the weekend. This flat landscape, with its big skies, expanses of marshes, brackish water, shingle, sand and wading birds, never fails to inspire.

I’m reminded of Brian Rutenberg, in his book, ‘Clear Seeing Place’, discussing knowing:

“…your origins. Where do you come from? What place stacked your bones into the shape of you?….My connection to the landscape of South Carolina has nothing to do with nostalgia; it’s much broader than memory. It’s my clear seeing place. A career has many moving parts, but there must be a cable that runs from your soft tissue directly to your clear-seeing place. Every artist needs such a place, for this is where your muse resides…” B. Rutenberg, P.95, Clear Seeing Place

The fenlands of Lincolnshire are where I grew up and it is the place that ‘stacked my bones’; I often wonder if these flatlands, that are my ‘clear-seeing place’, are why I feel such affinity for the marshes and coast-line of north Norfolk…lands that stretch to the far horizons… And why, whenever I visit, there is a ‘settling’, an ‘ahhhhhh’ moment…and suddenly, everything becomes much clearer…

'Often times within the circle of your sight there is neither house nor man visible. A grey church tower, a windmill, or the dark-brown sail of a wherry in the distance breaks the sense of utter loneliness, but the scene is wild enough to enchain the imagination of many.'

George Christopher Davis (1884)

The weather was grey, a slight edge to the wind necessitated wrapping up warmly, but I still took the chance to do a little sketching…at Brancaster Staithe and Thornham Marshes.

(Apologies - the original clips etc were focused, but now I’ve edited/spliced together, they appear a bit blurry… Maybe time to invest in some software other than the freebie version….)

The final image shows the two studies I preferred…capturing some of the silvery light and rivulets of mud left by the outgoing tide.

We stayed in Poppy Barn in Field Dalling - a great bolthole, handily located for exploring the area…

…and it’s only a stone’s throw from the town of Holt, where we discovered the wonderful ‘Make Holt’ store, full of fabulous art and craft made by local artisans. I couldn’t resist this stone tumbler by Tamlin Lundberg, a great addition to my coffee mug collection…

And a trip to Norfolk wouldn’t be complete without having some fresh dressed crab salad whilst sitting on the beach…

What else has been inspiring me this week?

• The soft, muted palettes of Larissa Eremeeva…

• Making a start on Anna MacDonald’s ‘30 Day Declutter Challenge’

  Being able to see/grab my materials easily has helped with my creativity; no stopping the ‘flow’ in order to hunt down a bottle of ink or the like!

• I’m beginning to feel a bit in the doldrums over marketing/sales, and energy levels are low, so the idea that, with a little strategic planning, I can market via a series of 10 minute tasks feels like something I can manage…

  

  “I’m realistic that 10 minutes is not a life changing amount of time to spend on your business. Chances are you won’t completely write a blog post or record and edit a podcast in that time…but if you spend just 10 minutes working on your marketing over 90 days, that’s an extra 15 hours over 3 months that you weren’t spending before. If I asked you to find 15 hours of ‘spare’ time I’m sure you would be just as horrified as I was.”

  p.xii Hannah Isted - The Best 90 Days Ever

• Haven’t quite gotten around to it yet, but I’m looking forward to experimenting with these…

  

  Not used the Golden inks before, so will be interesting to see the difference to my usual Daler Rowney acrylic inks. Anyone else tried these?

Until next time, happy painting!