Author Archives: Ailsa

Exciting beginings

I’ve spent lockdowns doing a variety of online art courses with amazing tutors who ordinarily I would not be able to visit. I have really relished learning new techniques and honing my skills so that the next generation of my work is fresh and authentically me. Here is my latest triptych, one is finished butContinue reading “Exciting beginings”

Hand-drawn map of Gosport

I was just reminded that it was two years ago that I drew this map of Gosport when a new art gallery (Yellow Edge) was opening in the town. There was a perception from visitors from Portsmouth that Gosport was “too far”, so I decided to show them that the gallery was a simple walkContinue reading “Hand-drawn map of Gosport”

Sketchbook work and lots of juicy courses!

I’ve been busy this year, I spent last year messing about and just seeing where I wanted my work to go and whilst I have some firm ideas about what I want to do now, I am not yet happy with my level of skills to get me there. You can never learn enough orContinue reading “Sketchbook work and lots of juicy courses!”

Corner of a foreign field…..

I post this picture on Twitter most years, it is a (watercolour) painting I did after visiting the WW1 battlefields in 2010, to retrace the steps of my grandfather William Brims. I grew up hearing about my Dad’s dad and knew a little bit about what he did in the war, but going over there,Continue reading “Corner of a foreign field…..”

Not my body, not my mind

Imagine waking up one day and everything you thought you knew about yourself had changed. Going through the menopause recently was a frightening experience, nothing worked like it used to, my tastes changed, my mind changed, my body changed, everything was alien and to make things worse, I now also felt invisible to the widerContinue reading “Not my body, not my mind”

Ageing beautifully

Two weeks ago I was given a lovely bunch of tulips and I have loved watching them age, and I realised today what a metaphor they are for growing older and seeing beauty where many might only see decay. At first the flowers were upright and prim and proper and within a couple of daysContinue reading “Ageing beautifully”

Have you ever wondered what artists do all day?

Since I have considered myself an “artist”, over the last couple of years, it has been a steep learning curve learning about how the art world ticks.    Much of how it works has been a complete surprise to me and has sometimes led me to wonder why anyone would want to be an artist. We’veContinue reading “Have you ever wondered what artists do all day?”

The universe within….

A large part of my work this year is about encapsulating the universe within.   Close your eyes for a minute; within each of us is an endless space – there is nothing, there are no ‘things’ – there are no boundaries.  This space can be peaceful and full of potential – it is the universeContinue reading “The universe within….”