Why Do Abstract Paintings Move Me So Deeply?

Why Do Abstract Paintings Move Me So Deeply? In my last blog post, I wrote about my response to my friend Alan Brain’s painting, A Curious Sadness. It’s a simple yet powerful composition—two bold shapes in electric blue and deep red, conveying a sense of emotion that I found deeply moving. I’ve noticed this isn’tContinue reading “Why Do Abstract Paintings Move Me So Deeply?”

The Power of Simplicity in Alan Brain’s Art

Artist Alan Brain’s abstract piece, “A Curious Sadness,” is a masterclass in simplicity and emotion. Two bold shapes in electric blue and deep red evoke a sense of curiosity and melancholy, while subtle details draw the eye. This is my personal interpretation – I wonder, what do you see? An artist friend, Alan Brain, recentlyContinue reading “The Power of Simplicity in Alan Brain’s Art”

Fun with monoprints!

I’ve recently been exploring new ways to use my gelli plate.(A gelli plate is quite literally a slab of gel, available in various sizes, that allows for a wide range of printing techniques.) I’ve long used mine for making cards and collage papers, but I recently learned a new technique for printing an entire picture.Continue reading “Fun with monoprints!”

How a Messy Accident Rekindled My Artistic Flow

Yesterday, I experienced what could have been a minor studio disaster. While tidying up before a painting session, I knocked over an entire bottle of green ink. For a moment, I froze. Not so long ago, this kind of accident would have been devastating. I would have spiralled into self-criticism, lamenting the waste of ink,Continue reading “How a Messy Accident Rekindled My Artistic Flow”

What is mindfulness?

Is it a religion? A cult? Something dangerous that could mess with your head? Mindfulness and meditation are often misunderstood, but they are a significant part of my life and essential tools that helped me recover from chronic fatigue. My mind is busy and frantic, and I need to calm it daily to create peaceContinue reading “What is mindfulness?”

The Art of Bimbling: Navigating Creativity with Ease

Bimbling A gentle, meandering walk with no particular haste or purpose. Wiktionary With the speed of modern life where we rush around from morning till night to achieve everything, the concept of “bimbling” feels like a lost art.  I rediscovered it recently as one of my tools to recover from chronic fatigue – a gentleContinue reading “The Art of Bimbling: Navigating Creativity with Ease”

Sketching the unseen…

Some artists venture beyond the visual and look into the other senses that shape our daily lives. Drawing your senses – sketching and painting the nuances of sound, touch, taste and feelings stretches the boundaries of conventional artistic expression. I invite you to explore this area and uncover more connections between art and the humanContinue reading “Sketching the unseen…”

Absence – a longing

If you have read my blog about intuitive art, you’ll remember my issues around knowing how I do my art.   I can’t think it, if I do, it all goes haywire – I have to trust my instincts and just plough on.  Nearly every day in the last week, I have come in for theContinue reading “Absence – a longing”

Letting it all go!

During the pandemic I took a couple of years out just to play. I didn’t know what would happen to my work but it felt like a great thing to be doing – an antidote to what was happening elsewhere. One of the things I did was take a concertina sketchbook course*, which really changedContinue reading “Letting it all go!”