I was watching Moana at the weekend with my granddaughter. Every time, one scene in particular stays with me: Moana standing on the beach, staring out to the horizon, knowing she has to go beyond the reef. She doesn’t know exactly what she’ll find out there. She just feels the pull. Others tell her toContinue reading “The Call You Can’t Ignore (and Why It Matters)”
Category Archives: Creativity
But What Does It Mean?!
“What does it mean??”
We’ve all asked it. But here’s the truth: there’s no right answer.
You don’t need to understand art to feel it. You just need to let it get to you.
What can real art do for us?
(Why Imperfect Art Might Be Exactly What You Need) Mark Rothko once said, when pressed about the meaning of his art: “You’ve got sadness in you, I’ve got sadness in me – and my works of art are places where the two sadnesses can meet, and therefore both of us need to feel less sad.”Continue reading “What can real art do for us?”
Setting myself up to fail…. Again….
Do you ever say “it’ll be ok” when deep inside you know it won’t? It’s a big problem for me sometimes, and of course whatever it might be rarely works out and boom, a chance to beat myself up. 🫤 Today I was prepping some cards for my website and getting a large pieceContinue reading “Setting myself up to fail…. Again….”
Why Buy Real Art from an Artist?
(Or: Why That IKEA Print Will Never Speak to Your Soul) Real art—art made by a human hand—can stir something in us. And that can be unsettling, especially with abstract work. No one tells you what it means. It might be easier to choose something mass-produced, designed to blend in, not stand out. But whenContinue reading “Why Buy Real Art from an Artist?”
Embracing an Abundant Mindset in Creativity
Yesterday, I was reminded of the quiet power of an abundant mindset — especially in creative work. I had been listening to a talk by Nicolas Wilton, one of my mentors. He spoke about the importance of sharing everything we know with those who are a few steps behind us on the path. Nick saysContinue reading “Embracing an Abundant Mindset in Creativity”
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”
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”
Ailsa Brims Art 