Painting and creativity took a back seat...again! Hey ReaderWhen life gets busy... creativity is usually the first thing to slip...Can I ask you a question?When life gets busy...What usually slips to the bottom of your list?I'm guessing it isn't work. It probably isn't the school run, looking after family, paying bills, doing the washing or remembering to buy milk.No...It's probably the thing that deep down helps you have peace, clarity and joy - more than anything else.Your painting. Your...
6 days ago • 1 min read
The one's that end up as scrap... Hey ReaderCan I let you into a little secret….There’s a messy pile of rejects in my studio - probably double those shown in the photo above.Because..Not every painting I create makes the cut.In fact... loads up in the recycling pile.Yep... we all have a stack of “that didn’t work out” paintings too and that’s fine... Because those flowers that actually turn out looking like potatoes - those paintings have an important job too.They're the ones that teach us...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
It's time to ring fence and protect your creative time.. Hey ReaderIt’s been a little while, hasn’t it? 💛 Sorry - let me try and explain...My nan had a phrase... please try not to take offence - her phrase was " We've got it all 'arse backwards'" I THINK SHE MEANT LIFE...…work, family, to-do lists, all the everyday things that quietly take over. And somewhere in all of that, creativity slips behind. So, the one thing that I know that protects my mental health, helps me to switch off and...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
This one is just about the colour'... Hey ReaderI noticed an IG reel this week showing how our world is losing its colour!!I know right...What used to be super colourful - think old cars - they used to be bright yellow, orange, even brown (Yuk! My friend's first car was a brown nova called toffee!! Even our clothes and buildings are becoming more neutral - boring! 😂Even Apple's brand logo...Once multicoloured, now white!How does this idea make you feel? I'm not sure I like it!Colour plays...
3 months ago • 1 min read
It's so important to surround yourself with your 'arty tribe'... Hey ReaderSo, this week I was lucky enough to take two days out and head up to Shropshire for the International Watercolour Masters...I did a workshop with Watercolour Master Bjorn Bernstrom - That's me and Bjorn up there in the photo (Me looking pretty chuffed, him a little confused) 😂 But the thing is...As much as the workshop was great, and the techniques and skills I learnt from him were invaluable - he wasn't the most...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Paint this cherry blossom with me.... Hey ReaderI've been addicted to painting cherry blossom this week. It's my bestie's birthday and she loves cherry blossom...So, pressure's on 😂Here's how I paint cherry blossom - if you wanna paint along and give it a try.Painting without purpose, without judgement and from a place of flow.Til next time,Sue 🎨💛 “Under the cherry blossom tree - I find sanctuary." - Anon Oaklands Road, Bridgend, Bridgend CF31 4SNUnsubscribe · Preferences
3 months ago • 1 min read
There's garbage and gold is us all... Hey ReaderI was thinking the other day about the expectation I see people have with painting.They try it once… maybe twice… it feels a bit awkward, a bit messy… and then quite quickly comes the label...“I’m just not an artist.” And it got me thinking about other skills. Like… Do you pick up a violin and instantly expect to play Mozart?Do you pick up some pipe and think “yep, I’m totally a plumber now” Nope. 🤷♀️So why is it that with art - and especially...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Why does painting feel… a little bit guilty? Hey ReaderI want to talk about something that doesn’t get said enough…How guilty we may feel when we paint...Not the fear. Not the judgement. The guilt.I still get it...I still have that little nagging voice that says "Shouldn't you be doing some 'real' work?Because somewhere along the way, we were taught that things that feel this joyous can’t possibly be “real work”… or even a good use of time.We've been taught that 'proper work' means we have to...
3 months ago • 1 min read
You absolutely can paint these... Hey ReaderSince holding my workshop in March I’ve had lots of messages saying…“I’d love to come along, but I just can’t paint”Hearing this both breaks my heart and challenges me at the same time.. Why? Well…I believe each and every one of us can paint - and paint well.Just hear me out…what if...You’re not bad at painting. You’re just new to it.I know, madness hey?Somewhere along the line, someone may have told you…”You just can’t draw”, “you’re no good at...
4 months ago • 1 min read