Diving into my Sketchbook after a period of so much change.

For a moment there as I moved out of my once studio I thought I had lost my sketchbook.

This year has seen a lot of change. After many years I moved out of my first ever studio, closed my public studio and art school and recently we moved our community space Free For All . Lots and lots and lots of change. During the last and most recent move (of our community shop and pantry) I found myself hankering after my sketchbook. I had been looking for it for a while, I have a few sketchbooks but this was my A3 sketchbook and one that I had really been reaching for in times when I just wanted to be immersed, explore, express, process, discover and play - but I hadn’t been able to find it for almost a year. And then as the last table was moved from the store room, there it was. Slid against the wall in a clear portfolio case.

I immediately scoped it up, assigned an art box and gathered up a collection of art supplies that I wanted to create with.

Moving out of first studio space - I out grew it long ago but it was such a huge achievement for me at the time I got it that I didn’t want to let it go. But then it really didn’t make sense to keep it anymore. I couldn’t use it. It didn’t fit my needs. It was time to let it go.

Closing and moving out of my public studio and art school, Creative Lab. The original ‘space to create and connect’

Moving our church shop and community pantry, Free For All

So much change, all on top of a very busy (and exciting) schedule. My sketchbook was definitely calling. Here’s what I’ve been up to so far…

Lots of mark making, emoting, and expressions of nature.

As I continue to play, I continue to discover and what I’ve rediscovered is my love of fluid mediums. Watercolour paint and ink and a need for an art supply that allows for fast raw expression and immediate impact on the page. I’m also beginning to understand that my sketchbook, my non commercial works are intrinsically linked to my emotions and needs and what I’m discovering from my recent time in my sketchbook is a need to process, a call to pause and reflect, and a need to exhale. It really has been quite a time.

Some of these paintings I did over a few days, some in around 10mins.