That 'back to school' vibe...

resetting, re-evaluating - am I heading in the right direction?

"There is a time in late September when the leaves are still green, and the days are still warm, but somehow you know that it is all about to end, as if summer was holding its breath, and when it let it out again, it would be autumn." - Sharyn McCrumb

September days, still warm, but noticeably shorter. The sun, no longer reaching the heady heights of summer, slowly sinks, casting low light through the trees, highlighting the bronze ferns, bowing to the inevitability of autumn…

The wheat harvest gathered in, the last remaining swallows circle and chatter, before heading south. Autumn tiptoes onto the horizon but already, there’s a feeling that winter can’t be far away.

Although my children have long since grown, and I’m no longer tied to the school calendar, September still has that ‘Back to School’ vibe…

Time for a reset, a re-evaluation - am I still going in the direction I want?

Last week’s follow-up mentoring session with Elaine at Studio 1850 enabled me to cement my plans for moving forwards…

• As much as I enjoyed creating the cards and small, square printed books, along with the income they provided, it’s an avenue I no longer wish to devote time to at the moment, rather…

• I want to focus on my painting; pushing it forward, experimenting with ideas from the two courses I did earlier in the year.

• I want to aim for the next level as far as art fairs go, and to that end have booked tickets to visit the Manchester Art Fair in November. As well as meeting up with artist friends, it will also give me the opportunity to see the level of finish/professionalism that is expected at such an event. This will provide me with something to aim for.

• I’ve set myself the target of finishing a small collection of floral works ready for a launch at the beginning of December…

• And then, it’s full steam ahead with experimenting!

• I’ve also joined Printers Inc; a group of local artists here in Lincolnshire who get together to experiment and explore with print. I loved print-making at college, but it rather fell by the wayside when I was at university. Yes, I’ve dabbled with mono-printing since, but I’m looking forward to delving into all things print-related again!!

• Of course you will be able to see how all this develops because I still intend to publish here on Substack, as well as post regular YouTube videos…

So there we have it - my plan for the coming months…

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood… Make big plans; aim high in hope and work.”

Daniel Burnham

I saw a recent post by Jodie Rogers about making a list of the small things that have improved her life…and, as part of the plans above, I thought I’d try and make my own list:

1. Knowing that it’s okay to not have all the answers.

2. Acknowledging that, it’s not that I can’t do things, it’s more, that I haven’t mastered them - yet!

3. That it’s okay to make plans, but that it’s also okay to change them.

4. Try to fail - take a risk. I love this from Willem Dafoe…!!

5. That it’s okay to ask for help and support.

6. Reading, both fiction & non-fiction, and I mean real books, not on Kindles or other devices. There’s just something about the feel of the paper, the smell of new/old books, turning the pages; they transport me to places and times and fire up my imagination… Do you prefer actual books, or have you moved into the 21st century?

7. Being out in nature; if I haven’t managed to get for a walk in a couple of days, it’s quite noticeable how my energy levels drop.

8. Taking time out during my day, even if only for 5 minutes, just to sit…

9. There’s nothing wrong with, every once in a while, binge watching Colin Firth in Pride & Prejudice - it’s a classic right?

10. Shoes, handbags - nah! Art materials every time!

11. I don’t have to ‘save things for best’ - the best is now…

12. You can never have enough houseplants…

13. I can light the candles, even if it’s not dark.

14. “Live, laugh, love'“ might be an over-used mantra - but it’s what’s important, and to that end:

    Success
    by
    Bessie Anderson Stanley
     	
    He has achieved success 
    who has lived well, 
    laughed often, and loved much; 
    
    who has enjoyed the trust of 
    pure women, 
    
    the respect of intelligent men and 
    the love of little children; 
    
    who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; 
    
    who has left the world better than he found it 
    whether by an improved poppy, 
    a perfect poem or a rescued soul; 
    
    who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty 
    or failed to express it; 
    
    who has always looked for the best in others and 
    given them the best he had; 
    
    whose life was an inspiration; 
    whose memory a benediction. 

What’s been happening in the studio this week…?

Well, talking of the floral series, here’s a link to a YouTube video where I’m considering where I’ve got with them, what I think works, and what isn’t so good …

What’s your morning routing look like? Mine involves lot of ‘faffing around’ in the studio - sometimes, it takes me a while to get going…!!

And in case you were interested in the follow up to that piece I started in the previous video…

It’s that last bit, knowing just how much detail to add that’s the hardest hurdle to overcome isn’t it? There’s always a stage where I think, ‘Oooh, I really like that, but is it enough?’…and then I start to question myself.

Perhaps I should print this out and pin it up in the studio?

“People who want to improve should take their defeats as lessons, and endeavor to learn what to avoid in the future. You must also have the courage of your convictions. If you think your move is good, make it.”

Jose Raul Capablanca

Until next time, happy painting!

P.S. This has just dropped through my letterbox - can’t wait to delve into it!