There’s a tiny frisson of excitement, a sense of ‘I am getting there.’ All the months of dreaming, imagining, planning - at last they are coming to fruition. The longer term aim is for my OH to construct a purpose-built studio in the garden, but for now, this small space attached to the garage has become my ‘art studio’! And how good does it feel to have a space to call one’s own, to be able to splash around to my heart’s content AND to leave all the materials out ready for the next session…

…but it’s fascinating how just a few words can speak volumes isn’t it? I posted this image on Instagram a couple of weeks ago and it had a big response; it really seemed to strike a chord with lots of people. I admit to having a bit of a love/hate relationship with Picasso, but this quote just encapsulates the way I want to feel when drawing or painting…

A new year, and everywhere you look you are bombarded with advice on how to make resolutions, advice on how to stick to your resolutions, advice on how to do ‘this’ - whatever that may be, which will, apparently, result in a newer, better version of yourself… Make lots of intentions, hit the ground running and 2023 will be the year that everything falls into place. It all becomes a little overwhelming doesn’t it?

I succeeded in my challenge to do 15 minutes of meditation for thirty days - bar one, but as my Dad passed away during this period, I am not giving myself a hard time about missing that day. Am I proficient - hell no! My mind still wanders and I am continually having to refocus BUT… there have been times during the past days that the teachings and practice of meditating have come into their own. Remembering to breath during the funeral, enabling me to read the eulogy, staying calm when beginning to feel overwhelmed and focusing on positives rather than negatives have all helped me to deal with recent events…