Are you ready for a new year and a new stArt? It’s been quite a year, one that has seen me out of the starting blocks from 0 to seemingly 100mph, to virtually grinding to a halt under buildup of stuff at times. It has left me truly exhausted, but with a stronger resolve than ever to keep going and to do what I like be doing most. I want next year to be a year as free as possible of nonsense, unhealthy relationships and friendships and bad habits. It’s going to be hard going for a while, I accept, just because of the darker days, but I’m not waiting around for those to end. The creativity and the right mindset has to start now. Artistically what will next year bring? Whoever knows what is around the corner really, but I know I have aims! I’d like to develop my practice, committing more time to doing, than talking about it. This may take the form of applying for an artist in residence or it may be as simple as allocating stricter time blocks, dedicated solely to painting and drawing. I need to develop a business plan in line with this, if I can fund further creativity though previous creation, then this is indeed a way forward. I’m currently working with a friend and associate on this, it’s exciting, but also daunting the amount of boxes that need to be ticked! I’d like to expand and develop the blood and Lilies collection. There was something really enjoyable, but very meaningful throughout the process of creating it and it would be interesting to explore it further. I feel I need to explore the medium of oils further too. My patience with drying times may need to be tested, but I’ve been curious, but scared about this medium for too long now, I just need to get on and do it! I’ve been taking advantage of sale prices, so I have plenty of Canvas and brushes that are ready to be exploited. I have had a couple of small break during the year, culminating in a fun day at Euro Disney, however I think I am in need of something a little more subdued. How that trip will take place, who knows, it may well turn into another working one! The year in a nutshell has taken me a much more diverse route with the Blood and Lilies, a conceptual collection about relationships and the bonds we form with others on many levels. Hidden amongst that was the ‘Cygnus and Grace’ illustrations which I plan to return to, right through to the ‘Metropolis Blues’ collection. This series depicted cities, evoking tales of emotion on a conscious and unconscious level; dipping in and out of the lives of the inhabitants. The year ended on a much more illustrative note with ‘Inktober’. An ink drawing a day for a month, this allowed me the indulgence of a dip pen and a bottle of ink. It got messy, it stained muchly, but it was fun and after a bit of a hiatus, it sharpened up my skills and indeed it gave me a bit of focus and discipline. I even released a selection of seasonal cards and a small run limited edition triptych, born of Inktober. As I sit here in my comfy chair writing, I am faced with a lot of questions and decisions about next year. Exciting and scary, but ultimately I’m more than ready to move forward. There was a lot of change involved in the year just gone and although we are all constantly evolving with the world around us, some of it was rather uncomfortable to go through our a personal level as well as the more universal issues that affecting us all as we speak. I’m sharing selection of my 2017 moments here and wishing you all the courage to seek out what will truly lead you to a happy and fulfilling future. I hope you are blessed with a fresh blank canvas to create of live what you most desire. I’m off to rest now, after a rather unexpected long run this morning. By long, I mean entirely beyond what I thought I was capable of, I may be asleep come new year..... Have a good one! 😘🥂
