Thoughts on 2024
The year started with preparations for York Open Studios, which spanned two consecutive weekends in April. A great opportunity to meet new people from my local village, York and the wider county.
My Open Studio, as part of ‘York Open Studios’ 2024
I decided not to apply again at the end of August for the 2025 Open Studios. After some challenging months with the passing of close relatives, the inspiration and motivation to create art had completely left me!
With grief, I shut down creativity and went through the motions of carrying on as normal, when nothing was ‘normal’ !!
Gradually as 2024 has passed, the joy is returning. Again I can enjoy seeing a beautiful golden sunrise, a free fluttering butterfly in my garden and enjoy fresh wind reddening my cheeks as I walk at Sutton Bank, I have begun to see again the beauty all around me and feel ready to dust off my paints!!
I have felt at times that my life has tootled by in 2024, without creativity. I know that this is normal and part of the healing process.
So as 2025 is quickly approaching, I have vowed to look for everyday wonder in nature all around me.
Finding joy in the autumnal reflections in this woodland glade in Dalby Forest, North York Moors
Finding the joy of a frosty snowy day at ‘The Hole of Horcum’ North York Moors
Research has shown that experiencing everyday wonder really does activate your dopamine network, so what’s stopping you?
I know this will bring me joy and by sharing photos through posts on facebook and instagram, and of course by painting creatively, I can encourage you to allow nature to inspire you.
