Anything, Everything
To me, the aging process of flowers is beautiful. The wear and tear on the petals as they age add detail and character, much like people. Damage and imperfections show resilience and strength.
This year I’ve noticed nature more, and therefore, birds. In all their varied shapes and sizes. But my interest began at the beginning of lockdown, when I painted a series of bird portraits for a care home who use bird names for their units. Then, when I moved out, I got a bird feeder and waited patiently for the first bird to come along, and while it is probably only this single magpie that eats from it, its still a visit several times a day during which I can feed a creature I didn’t realise wad actually very beautiful. Now, the obsession has developed further, and I’ve decided to make these fellas.
It might be tempting to try and through yourself back into whatever normal you can find. This might mean busy shops, busier gyms, meeting with friends safely. I thought immersion would make myself feel a little more confidence around people again, but it’s early days. Don’t rush it.
Nature can be a tremendous inspiration, and there’s few things more cosy than drawing from nature for creative endeavours, and being proud of what you’ve achieved. Whether its a landscape painting of a mountain range or a arrangement of flowers you yourself have made, surround yourself with what you can make, and what makes you proud of your capabilities.
Particurly since we’re being encouraged to be more at home for the time being, our environments have to be adapted to be more cosy, more conducive, maybe constantly changing to feel a sense of movement. Flowers are a welcome dash of colour, as well as a mood lifter.
Paint a Mental Picture 