Sigourney Young

Synesthete, artist. I see music as colour and paint what I hear.

[notyoursigourney]

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It’s the calm before the storm and I’m taking the time to paint this weeks commissions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Short and sweet video of preparing my paper. Before painting with watercolour paper it’s best to wet and dry. This changes the consistency and texture of the paper and allows it to absorb pigments. Give it a go one day. With dry paper you’ll find the watercolour stays on the top of the paper rather than easily flowing! The paper also naturally changes shape and can then be flattened when dry. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Anyone out there like playing with watercolours? What are your tips and tricks? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #synesthesia #chromesthesia #synesthesiaartist #synesthesiaart #customart #yorkshireart #artist #yorkart #yorkshire #art #holbeinwatercolors #abstractpainting #homesneedart #wearethecreativeeconomy #abstractlandscape #elledecor #heytate #artflowsessions #dslooking #cylcollective #artrium #carveouttimeforart #saatchiart #etsysellersofinstagram #etsygifts #artiststudio #abmlifeiscrafty #homedecor @etsy @etsyuk @etsysuccess https://www.instagram.com/p/BpGI1zRh7Zh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1caets6m9u4mv

[notyoursigourney]

The coolest f#$%ing thing. 🤩 Thank you so much to every single one of you who has left a review. There’s 180 of you and counting and it makes my heart absolutely sing to know how much your pieces mean to you and your loved ones. 💖 This is one of my recent favourites. Get your piece today! (at Reykjavík, Iceland)

[notyoursigourney]

I love this piece. Want to know why? Because it’s someone’s voice. A collector singing the song she sings to her partner everyday. 🎶 Recorded at home, sent straight to me and turned into this. A unique combination of colours that reflect her unique voice. I am so privileged to be part of bringing such special rituals to life 💖 Do you have a song you sing to the family? Or belt out on road trips? Tell me what it is! 🤩 PS you can find the description of this recording, ie the synesthesia translation, up on my website along with information of how to commission your own piece and get 10% off at the same time!

[notyoursigourney]

Today was a big studio day but I also tried to make time for some #sundayselfcare! We made time for a lazy breakfast - Delicious banana, oat and soy milk pancakes covered in maple syrup 🥞 Then a trip to the pool to relax in the warm water. Trips to the pool are the BEST in winter weather! 🏊‍♂️ 🌧 Back in the studio for the afternoon/evening though and now I’m pooped! Might have to up the proportion of relaxation to work next weekend 😂 How have you spent your Sunday? (at York)

[notyoursigourney]

Today my #createbeforeconsume came in the form of morning journaling. I've been trying to keep a journal when I can and don't beat myself up when I miss a day, or several. I know that every year the journals will get a little fuller as it becomes more and more part of my daily practice. 📒 I do half reflective and half bullet journalling and split it into sections. I used to free write but realised I ended up just describing the day, not reflecting on it. Now I split my writing into sections. Things - whatever happened that day that day that I want to remember or was a highlight/lowlight Wins - what I'm proud of or a victory Gratitude - what I'm grateful for today (so important!); and Tomorrow - what do I want to do tomorrow or what am I looking forward to 🎊 Do you journal? What works for you? (at York)

[notyoursigourney]

Today I'm in the studio and pondering how I can add the most value to my clients. As the water runs across the page I am thinking about how I can tell the story of synesthesia, of music, and the unique stories that are shared with me. 💖 What would you like to hear about? Comment below and tell me what fascinates you about synesthesia or my art in general and what you'd like to see in your feed or read in the blog. How can I serve you best? (at York)

[notyoursigourney]

Snow everywhere, snowflakes resting on spring bulbs and cars, on bikes and cold noses. This beast from the east is certainly putting Yorkshire through its paces. ❄️ Lucky for me today is a studio day which means I'll be upstairs sketching and painting while your songs play on repeat. I have the luxury of imagining myself in a little greenhouse removed from the snowy world around me. 🌴 Not so lucky for my historian who has to ride to uni for a 9am class when it feels -10 outside! 🚲 Is it snowy where you are? Is it sunny and beautiful? Tell me all about it! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #day6 #100dayproject #createbeforeconsume (at York)

[notyoursigourney]

This desk looks a little like my brain today. 🧠 The Beast from the East is here in York and we're certainly feeling the chill. The streets are covered with snow and I'm not looking forward to digging the car out later today for Yoga class! ❄️ Surprisingly though, the sun is shining and creating a perfect, sunny, warm pocket at the nook at the end of my desk. Move over painting pile, this sunshine's all mine! ☀️ Spending today taking it easy with chicken soup to fight off my cold. How's your Wednesday? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #day5 #createbeforeconsume #100dayproject

[notyoursigourney]

What do these taste like? Can you imagine it? Can you taste the cinnamon, nutmeg, tartness of apples? 🍎 Having synesthesia means I think a lot about our senses. I know I experience sound so differently to others but what about the others? I think there are so many people that must be supertasters or supersmellers! My fiance can taste everything in a mouthful - can identify exactly what a dish needs when I'm left like 'more salt?'. It's like I missed a class in school about what each flavour tastes like on your tongue. 👅 Then you give me sounds and I feel like there whole world opens up. There's patterns to the shapes and colours. I could tell you what the current trends are in the charts through nothing but they're colours. Green was in but now it's out. Magenta hooks are making a come back and a few years ago it was all about purple. 💖💜 Do you have any super senses? What are they? #day4 #100dayproject #createbeforeconsume

[notyoursigourney]

I loved painting this song 'I Can See Clearly Now' for my mother-in-law. It is such a beautiful song and has the most magical story behind it. When she was growing up in London her father used to sing this song on the way home from the pub. They played it at his funeral years ago and it transports her back to his voice, singing merrily in her childhood. 🎶🎶 She traveled from Australia to London for the funeral and when she was back in Australia, standing in the kitchen looking out at the landscape, she turned the radio on. Guess what was playing? You got it - 'I Can See Clearly Now'. 💖 Being able to turn that into colour, and a momento that can be part of her home forever was one of the best things I've ever done. . . #day4 #100dayproject #100dayprojectcreatebeforeyouconsume #createbeforeconsume

[notyoursigourney]

Today I'm trying to stay out of the office. It's the weekend so you'd think that would be easy but as a creative entrepreneur, there's always a million things running through my head. Can you relate? 🤓 I think about how I can grow my business, how I can put myself out there, plus all of the inevitable admin that comes with being a solo business. What I'm learning through this effort to #createbeforeconsume is that creativity lives in a separate space to the rush a business. 🌷🌸🌺 It lives in a space of quietness and patience. By making space to feel inspired in the morning, before the temptation of the online world takes over, I am teaching myself that my creativity is more important than my endless to-do list. 📝 How are you creating space for yourself this weekend? . . . #day3 #100dayprojectcreatebeforeyouconsume #100dayproject #createbeforeconsume #selfcaresunday

[notyoursigourney]

I'm tired. After a week of hustling, I'm ready to take a break and enjoy every moment the weekend has to offer. I'm giving myself permission to relax. Are you doing the same? 💆🏻‍♀️ It can be so easy to get caught up as a creative entrepreneur. We're constantly trying to serve our customers, build our business and channel our creativity. We switch hats so fast sometimes my brain is left in a twist, still preoccupied with another project. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Not today, today I'm giving myself space to recharge my creativity. I'm going to enjoy my coffee, read my book, do yoga and catch up on everything @modernism_week. 🌴 What are you doing to recharge this weekend? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #100dayprojectcreatebeforeyouconsume #100dayproject #createbeforeconsume #day2

[notyoursigourney]

Today I've been thinking about what I want to offer online. After listening to one @jennakutcher's most recent @goaldiggerpodcast (if you haven't checked them out get your butt over there!) I was struck by how much creativity and intention goes into social media. I've read over and over how social is about bringing your authentic self but have always been hesitant to put so much of myself out there for the world to see, especially when there are so many amazing women offering so much of their amazing selves online. Can anyone relate? 🙋🏻‍♀️ In her podcast, Jenna spoke about how one of her biggest tips for serving your community online is to create before you consume. She decides what she wants to offer that day before ever getting online and this sounded like a breath of fresh air to my social media-soaked mornings. Guess what, I tried it today and my mind feels so much wider, more thoughtful, and more inspired to create and share. 👊🏻 So this year I'm putting my own twist on the #100dayproject and dedicating myself to 100 days of creating before I consume. 100 days of content, and 100 days of putting myself forward on social media. 👩🏻‍💻 Want to join me? Use #100dayprojectcreatebeforeyouconsume and let’s get this thing going! #day1

[notyoursigourney]

Beautiful colours for a beautiful day

[notyoursigourney]

Colour inspo. I’m working on finding ways to represent spoken word performance and wow is it a challenge. Abstract inspiration like this definitely helps!

[notyoursigourney]

Happy Monday! May your week be colourful and full of beautiful music 💖

[notyoursigourney]

Trying to find some balance today. Being a solo business owner can be tough. Pulled in all directions with ideas and aspirations for art, business, brand, community, it’s hard to find the perfect balance in such a crowded space. Any small business artists out there? How do you find your direction and stay on track? Would love to hear your experience!