There’s been a definite shift this week, the evenings a little cooler, mornings bringing the damp scent of autumn. And I’m thrilled.
I hate to wish away time, but the heat of the summer was hard. Not so much for me because I’ve lived around the world and acclimatise fairly well, the garden and our surrounding countryside and wildlife suffered, though.
As I looked over the Mendip Hills, I saw beige, and whilst it offered an interesting painting opportunity it also brought sadness.
There is no doubt, our climate is changing, and perhaps people don’t truly understand how that will impact their own lives. This topic isn’t really one for today, but through the lens of an artist I’ve never seen a more important time to paint nature.
The bee in this photo was on the petal for a good ten minutes, and made no attempt to leave. It was just plain tired.
It’s times like these that I realise I can do my bit. You see, I can use my creativity to educate. Through poetry and art, I can tell the story of now, and I can help people understand what’s really happening to animals, as well as the landscapes they call home.
A Change of Season
September. A month of noticeable change in the trees, a time to shift into warmer clothes, time to start something new.
I, as is the case with many creatives, am easily distracted. I also procrastinate, so I decided I would start painting animals again at the end of September, but here we are on the 20th, and I have no excuse to wait.
In fact, I’ve completed a couple of courses with Conservation Careers with a view to working in that field, and in a perfect world I tie art and Conservation together, but I’ve realised that waiting for perfect doesn’t work.
So, rather than waiting for when September ends, the Conservation Art project starts today. I feel that I can paint more watercolour pet portraits to hone by craft, and by sharing them here I can educate people along the way.
It’s a small step, but I think it’s the right time.
There’s one more thing. I’ve realised recently how important listening to music is for me as I paint. When September Ends is one of my companions often, and it’s no coincidence that I had a little smile as I wrote this post title.
All of these senses we use, to listen, to smell, to observe…they get dampened. Tech is killer of imagination. I can’t remember the last time I truly switched off and let my imagination run wild, and as a writer, that’s a whole other heap of sadness that washes over me!
It’s also why I’m creating Switch Off Tune In, my newsletter and means to inspire others to detach themselves from the onslaught of digital existence.
You can sign up for the newsletter, and I hope to take me with me as I immerse myself back into the place I belong – creative wellness.