A Summer Recap

I recently sent a newsletter with some upcoming events, and a summary of summer. Ah, summer. The very best season of them all. The light. The heat. The food. The nostalgia to endless summer holidays as a kid. The skies ... the skies!

So much time spent outdoors, gathering images and feelings in my mind to store for future inspiration. Along with 573638596 new photos of sunsets. And summer storms. The mad thing is, I don't paint from my photos. But I'm compelled to take the photos. There's something about noticing the surreal colours, the billowing shapes, the fleeting ever-changing light. I am awe-struck and inspired to create. I recognise shapes on my canvas and without knowing it, one of those 573638596 photos has worked its way onto my palette. It feels like magic every time.

This summer, I worked on adding to my Small Painting collection. Ironically, small works take just as long as larger pieces. Don't ask because I do not understand the physics of that! Dropping new work here and there has felt right and not taken over the studio and derailed plans. They sold quickly which is always a thrill and there are a couple available now online. I love love love these little jewels. 

And now it's time for autumn. I have a bittersweet relationship with this season. It's spectacular! A visual feast. The light is softer, amazing. The colours and texture in the trees, the earth. Worthy of more photos! But it does mean crisp cool mornings and crisper cooler evenings. Shorter days. Imminent winter. The dark. The coooold! Ugh.

This year I discovered the secret to living my best summer life without travelling to a tropical beach. 

An inflatable pool!

My tiny back deck was transformed into a summer oasis, affectionately named the Lido Deck and delighted at every opportunity to paddle and float and soak. It's silly and fun and perfect! I loved the whole summer package that came with it. I wore togs under my sun dresses for instant dips, the simple joy of hanging wet towels and togs on the line at the end of the day, morning coffees and evening sundowners definitely tasted better dangling feet in the pool. 

Apart from living my best life on the Lido Deck, summer brings road trips and ever-changing front seat views of the biggest skies in the open countryside. Snapped more photos.

Inbetween paddles, I've had my head down in the studio enjoying a very productive flow. I have a big year ahead with some major bucket list checks and I'm mindful to keep this flow when planning and where to put my energy.

Thanks for reading, and supporting my art practice with your interest. It means the world to me.