Fresh flowers are a joy to paint. Their sweet little faces are such a thing of hope. At the time of writing this it is spring so there is an abundance of new blooms about.

But the reality is that new blooms appear year round. Seemingly eternal geraniums, marigolds in summer and plumbago in autumn. Even snow will not deter the little snowdrop.

It is this relentless optimism that I adore. The stuff of fresh starts. An endless string of new beginnings if necessary.

There is such relief in that idea, isn’t there?

These little blooms remind me of the persistence of hope. They seem to prove that there is always the chance to begin again.

Doesn’t it always seem like there is a new habit you are trying to form?

From a consistent sketchbook practice, to a daily step goal or learning to meditate there is always something to be working towards.

A good thing, of course, to be constantly improving. Conventional wisdom is to make sure you don’t ‘break the chain’ as Jerry Seinfeld famously counselled.

That’s sound advice, of course. Doesn’t make you feel marvellous when that chain does break though. With the best will in the world, life happens. So we also need a helpful way to approach this rather likely eventuality.

I think it is this - the important thing is not that the chain has broken but how quickly a new one begins.

“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.”

— Mary Pickford

Let’s take a cue from nature and remember that a fresh start is always there for the taking.

The chance to begin again.

No guilt at having faltered, just hopeful persistence.

Keep on reading…

Featured

Watercolor Pumpkin Tutorial

Fruit and vegetables make excellent painting subjects - colourful and forgiving. Come and see for yourself in this easy watercolor pumpkin tutorial…

How to improve your paintings with a little complementary color theory

If you have a painting that is a little ‘meh’, and are looking for a suggestion on how to improve it, read on… a pop of complementary color theory might just be worth a try. There is also a video example….

Do You Need Drawing Skills for Watercolour Painting?

Have you ever wondered if you truly need strong drawing skills to succeed in watercolour painting?

It’s a common question among aspiring artists, especially those who feel held back by their drawing abilities. Maybe you’re afraid to start because your sketches don’t turn out as planned, or perhaps you’ve been frustrated when your painting doesn’t capture the essence of what you intended.

The truth is, while drawing can be an important foundation, it’s not the only path to creating beautiful watercolour art.

In this post, we’ll explore how to overcome these common fears and find joy in painting—whether or not you consider yourself a skilled sketcher.

Fresh Flowers and Fresh Starts

Keep on reading…

Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Is your inner critic preventing you from doing your creative work?