Welcoming the changing season...

...both outside & inside my artist's studio!

“In olden times, it meant the long dark of winter was finally over, and things would start growing again and the world would be renewed. The solstice was the promise–that the days wouldn’t just keep on getting shorter until they disappeared altogether. The equinox was the day when the promise was fulfilled.” M.R. Carey - The Girl with All the Gifts

Spring equinox; a promise fulfilled. Yes, there are still gloomy, grey days, days of incessant rain BUT, the daylight is discernibly lengthening, exceeding, at last, the darkness. Warmth caresses my face. Everywhere blooms unfurl, soaking in the spring sunshine; the hum of bees never far away. Too early to welcome the swallows, there is, nevertheless, a growing sense of urgency amongst the resident birds; building, re-building, foraging back and forth. A carpet of green shoots covers the farmland. And, majestic magnolias open up their huge goblets…

“I’ve always loved magnolia trees and their blooms—there’s something so beautiful about a magnolia blossom. It demands attention, and you can’t help but love those big, creamy petals and that fragrant smell.”

Joanna Gaines - The Magnolia Story

…an all too brief delight. A reminder to stop, to pay attention. I love the changing seasons; each one has its own rewards, and each one wouldn't be possible without the others. And I feel it only right that I should pay homage to all their glorious bounty…

“If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.” Therese of Lisieux

Spring brings with it, memories of Mum; cleaning windows, beating rugs…having a good ‘sort out’ as she would say. A time to revive, to bring a new energy to life. And whilst some housework has been undertaken, I’ve also been creating a Vision board…

Not part of my usual planning strategy - call me a sceptic, but I just can’t get my head around the idea that, if I picture something, it will magically materialise - however, for some reason, I felt compelled to make one…so here we are!

What do the various images signify? Well:

• Lots of time with loved ones

• Lots of time outdoors

• Lots of travelling

• Lots of painting & sketching

• Lots of writing & sharing

• The ideal would be to travel around whilst painting, sharing & meeting other creatives! No idea how this would happen/work out….

These are all probably a bit too vague for the Visualisation/Manifestation technique, but I thought that there’s no harm in putting them out in the universe; you never know what will materialise!! Do you create Vision Boards? If so, what’s on yours?

And talking of boards… Here’s what’s been happening on my board!

Stages of tulip study...

I have to admit here, that I didn’t like the initial splats of green, but in keeping with my new-found ‘persistence’ mode, I persevered. The result; something I quite liked!

And once I began, the flowers kept on blooming…

…until the studio resembled a florist’s shop!

Now, not all of these studies are successful; my task is to decide what parts I like and why, before cropping and adding to my sketchbook. And then, it’s back to the painting.

And, in the spirit of spring, I’ll leave you with this:

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud...

Until next time,