Quarter two, Spring and a Birthday, April, a month of reflection and planning

Quarter two, Spring and a Birthday, April, a month of reflection and planning

I love writing Notes of a Painter. You are so supportive and I feel like I can open up about my journey as a creative. So this issue is more personal and will project what i’d like to happen this month. With your support I feel hopeful.


Lockdown 2020, notes from my journal

‘What a journey this year has been. In March I was planning a April/May holiday to Portugal visiting Lisbon for a few days then getting the train to the coast and finishing up on the beaches of the Algarve. But days before we were due to book our first holiday of the year the British Government announced a national lockdown due to a virus outbreak. The next two months that followed everyone seemed to be ‘winging it’. Working from home became a novelty and a challenge. Lots of people were talking about having more free time, more time to learn new skills as people were being furloughed. As I didn’t have the commute home and weekends were pretty much cancelled, I had more time to paint and draw. I wasn’t enjoying my job and I felt tied to my desked with my easel staring at me beckoning me to paint. I began to try and ignore it, making excuses – I didn’t have time, or I was too tired - but the more I did the more it took over me and became something I couldn’t ignore, I almost didn’t have a choice. This need to paint took over me completely and I knew I had to find artists that I could learn from and grow with and to find a way to get exposure. I applied for the MA course at Leeds Arts Uni and got in. Everything was about to change.’ (Notes from my journal, 2020)

New beginnings

April is a really beautiful time for me. Spring is underway, trees are turning green and new life is everywhere. It’s also my birthday on the 27th and I will be 36. This is always a great time to check in where i’m at and how i’m feeling. Generally on the whole I couldn’t be happier. Wedding plans are going well and i’m excited for the future. But career wise, I don’t think i’ve been feeling great lately. I feel a bit lost with my art career. It was a blow to my confidence that I wasn’t accepted for this years York Open Studios. I’ve moped about a bit, not knowing what to do next. So i’m planning a new body of work with new colours and a progressive style. I’ve been taking in new inspiration and this is exciting. I’m still inspired by resilience, empowerment and vulnerability but other things are catching my attention and I feel like I can bring them in.

I’ve also fallen back in love with design. As some of you may know I have been a graphic designer since 2014 but fell out of love with he corporate route i’d taken. But I have rediscovered, through drawing, my love of typography and hand lettering. This has pulled me away from painting and I haven’t painted for a few weeks, but am now keen to get back into the studio with fresh ideas.

Handwritten type, April 2020

ANYONE CAN DRAW

Thank you so much to those who came on my first drawing course, it was a great success and really lovely work was produced. I will be looking at dates for the future to do more of these. If you are interested in taking park in future drawing workshops please email me at raegeorgeart@gmail.com

I will be checking in through the month to share how the new work is going.

Thank you for your continued support.

Rae x

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