There are times where I get to put my teacher’s hat back on and prepare my home studio for some workshop action, allowing others to come along with an open mind and be inspired to try some new approaches and be waited on as they indulge in some serious making time. My studio is like a little bubble, where time seems to stand still and we can forget about whatever else is going on in the world.
Much like exercise, you feel motivated when you see results but you also feel positive during the actual doing of the work. The endorphins kick in and we feel better for showing up. I find the same thing happens in creative work. Painting is quite meditative, as you focus on a point at the end of your paintbrush and this steadies the mind. When my ‘Women of Colour’ series ended and the show came down, I wanted to slow down and take some time to recalibrate. I didn’t throw myself into a new passion project, I just plodded along with jobs as they arose and held more workshops for keen creatives – but I didn’t have a passion project to keep coming back to in between jobs and my transition back into the slow lane took a lot longer than I thought it would.
I’m now very much attempting to transition back into PASSION! To immerse myself with work that makes my heart sing. To keep showing up to do the work, knowing that it will once again reward myself and others.
The time has come again and I’m currently contacting a few inspiring subjects to consider sitting for portraits. The excitement levels are on the up as I await their responses and it feels good to have this purpose in my practice once again. There are many painting prizes to enter these new works into for 2019, another nice little incentive to get back on the portrait painting horse. But I still need the paid work to continue to float me as I work across both parts of my practice, so please keep me in mind with your own art collecting, mural projects or desire to come along to a workshop. I’ll always need the support of others and as needy as it might sound I need your encouragement. We all need encouragement.
You can show your support by purchasing one of the remaining post card packs from my ‘Women of Colour’ series which includes all 12 of the portaits I painted in glossy postcard form to fit a small picture frame or to spread a friendly message via the mail to your friends and loved ones.
I’ve also added a SALE category to my online shop with heavily reduced original works looking for forever homes.
Find them here.
OR if you are considering coming along for a workshop at some stage this year, I’ve advertised a few dates in the coming months which you can register your interest for by sending me an email.
Thank you as always for taking the time to read what I’m up to and for sharing the love with your kind comments and support.