Just this weekend, I was gifted a weekend to myself.  Hubby headed off to a blokes weekend in the country and I had the house to myself. As our little fluffy mate passed away over three months ago, there was no one relying on me or waiting for me.  I was as free as a bird to do as I pleased. 
The monthly paint-out had been postponed due to inclement weather.  This had been my only commitment over the weekend.

After heading out for some extra art supplies I headed back to my studio with the heater blasting and started on a project I had not had time to do for months.  The panels I had purchased had sat there on my shelving teasing me every time I went into the art shed. They would look at me and I at them, wishing I had the time to take them off the shelf, unwrap them and then cover them with creamy delicious acrylic paint. I started slowly on my idea using paper and working on my idea for the eight panels. Suddenly two hours had slipped by as I worked on a small 20cm x 20cm piece.  I was happy with the outcome.

Finally, the next day I set up in the garden room with panels, paint, water, brushes, palettes and paper towels, I was ready. I could now start on my project giving it my full attention.  Throughout the process, I mixed an array of colours, used a variety of mark-making tools and skimmed books for the right words to jump out at me for the collage.  It was exhilarating, to say the least.  I didn't stop for a coffee or a break, I was so focused and in my zone.  After many hours, I was finished, it was time to sit back and let them dry so they could be varnished. 

The gift of a weekend to enjoy creating was invigorating, peaceful and filled with what I love to do. I think you need one of these weekends once and a while. 

How would you spend the gift of a weekend to yourself?  Leave your comment below. 
 
Featured artwork: Unscaled Peaks and Uncharted Waters

In the past, I have written about how creating art can have a positive impact on your mindset and overall emotional vitality.  Art can evoke emotions in the creative with every mark made on the paper.  We can get lost in the mood, and get carried away in our thoughts and the feelings behind every stroke of the brush, pen, or pencil. 
I remember with the loss of a family member in 2023, I locked myself in my studio and painted, remembering last words, lost memories and feeling bewildered and alone.  The paintbrush and colours played on the panel as the tears streamed down my face.  The emotions were raw, and the painting was just what I needed to do at the time. 

Sight, smell, sound and touch are senses that can trigger memories both good and challenging.  I am sure you have heard a song on the radio, and it has transported you back to a time far, far away.  A smell has taken you back to a family holiday by the beach, or the scent of a fragrance reminds you of your Mum.

Art can evoke emotions as we view the finished piece, it can transport us back to a time once forgotten, a missed opportunity, a true love, or a person. Art can bring about tears of joy, tears of triumph or tears of loss.  A friend of mine is an incredibly talented artist who, amongst other things immortalises on paper animals for those that have lost their pets. I am sure those artworks would spark emotions for the owner.

Next time you are engaging with a piece of art, feel the emotion and enjoy the process. It truly is a blessing. 

Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Featured Artwork: Down by the River
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When I picked up painting again, I went straight into acrylic paint.  It was fun and forgiving and I enjoyed the medium.
Over the last couple of years, I have taken lessons in watercolour, pastels and gouache.  I love various mediums, given I do mixed media, that is a good thing!

For the last twelve months, I have been enjoying the medium of gouache. So what is gouache, I hear you ask.
Gouache is a water-based paint not dissimilar to watercolour, it is however, matte, opaque and creamy.  Being similar to watercolour, it is more opaque, which means you can layer from dark to light and correct mistakes. I love how the medium quickly dries to a matte finish, making it ideal for photographing, and scanning for prints and doesn't have that shine.  

As I have been venturing out on en plein air excursions, gouache is an ideal medium to take out and about.  It is compact enough for a small palette, dries reasonably quickly and can be activated with water.  I enjoy being able to sketch and then paint while I am out, sometimes in my sketchbook and sometimes on watercolour paper. These en plein air paintings are then reference guides for future work.  The fact I can paint in the colours of the day is ideal to capture the moment, the shadows, the highlights and the essence of the session.
   
Although you can paint larger paintings using gouache, it is often associated with smaller works from an A3 - A5 painting. Smaller work on A3 to A5 is ideal when you have limited time and space, making gouache the perfect medium. 

The artwork you see here is a small artwork on paper using gouache. This was done with an initial light translucent wash and then layered with a more creamy gouache texture to give depth to the piece. 

Have you heard of gouache or do you use it?  Leave your comments below, I would love to see your comments. 

​Featured Artwork:  The outback shed

In the art classes I run, I use photographs and artwork for students as inspiration. It is easier as a student to have a reference shot to learn techniques and to develop skills.

So what if you are no longer a student and now creating your own artwork, can you still use reference shots?

When you stumble upon a stunning artwork or photo that speaks to you, it can spark a flood of creative ideas. It might ignite your imagination, to assist you in developing your own unique creation.
You may draw on elements of the reference be it the colours, composition, theme, or mark making and reshaping them through your eye and interpretation. 

When coming to creating your own artwork it is about making something that is uniquely your own. In the realm of creativity, using a photo or artwork for inspiration can be powerful as a reference for your own imaginative journey.
It is about interpreting, reimagining, and creating something that has your stamp of style, voice and take on the piece. 

Personally, one of my favourite things to paint is flowers in vases.  Whilst I may look at a van Gough for inspiration, for his use of light, colour and texture, I don't want to recreate his piece, I can do that with a photocopier or camera.  I do however, want to look at his work and identify some of his prowess with the brush strokes, colour, texture and light, even seeing how I can incorporate some of his elements into my piece. 

Although imitation is the highest form of flattery, true creativity lies not in replication but in the ability to weave inspiration into something uniquely your own. No to mention, copyright laws.