A Year In Colours…

As I sit in my studio today, surrounded by the vibrant hues of my paintings, I find myself reflecting on the past year; a year that has been both challenging and exhilarating!

As a studio painter who also enjoys the freedom of plein air, the spontaneity of sketching, and the nuances of portrait painting, each canvas has brought with it its own joys and frustrations. 

For someone who was once afraid to go our painting on her own, plein air painting has become a cherished escape from studio work. My plein air outings are purely for my own gratification. It’s been a year of learning to hone my skills in the open air, learning to translate the immediacy of the moment onto my canvas whilst trying to develop a style I feel is uniquely me.

The challenge of portrait painting has been a fascinating pursuit. For a long time I’d convinced myself portraiture was something I did not enjoy.  Since then I’ve learned faces tell their own story, and with each stroke, Ive tried to unveil the character of the people I paint. This year, I’d like to extend the practice a bit more by painting more live sitters.

Looking back, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there have been triumphs and tribulations; I’ve been frustrated when things don’t quite turn out they way I expected (and the harder I tried to fix the situation, the more it evaded me) and I’ve rejoiced when things worked  out or when I’ve made a sale; sending prayers of gratitude heavenwards. Without my buyers and collectors life as a professional artist would be impossible.

We have entered a new year and I find myself standing on the threshold of new possibilities. The lessons learned in the last 12 months have hopefully paved the way for a more nuanced understanding of my practice.

In the next few months, I look forward to pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and letting my learning guide me into as yet unchartered territories. The studio, the space I call ‘My Happy Place’ will be my sanctuary, plein air my escape, and portraiture my ongoing exploration into the human spirit. Continuing the practice of sketching will be an integral part of all this.

In addition, I am extending my journey into the realms of knowledge sharing, I eagerly anticipate running more workshops, demos, and masterclasses. The prospect of imparting my experiences to fellow enthusiasts is both exhilarating and humbling. I am thrilled to have been asked!

I’m slightly amused at myself for putting all this into words considering I am not one for making New Year resolutions but I guess it does not hurt to state some affirmations does it?

So here’s to a year of growth, inspiration, and an ever evolving artistic journey!

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Has the New Year inspired you to reflect on your aspirations? Do please comment below and let’s share our plans.