Black Violet

What a crazy few weeks! Lots and lots of changes going on in my life at the moment and all positive ❤️

At the beginning of the year I decided that I really wanted to get into horticulture - people who know me, know that I am deeply connected to nature so it just made sense.

I decided to take a step back from my business as I was feeling really worn down by it - I lost my creative mojo and I knew I needed change.

I journalled, meditated and visualised the life I wanted which was slower and more connected.

I manifested the perfect job for myself in an absolutely amazing job at .things.plant.shop in Leeds (come visit if you haven’t already) - it’s a tropical paradise and each day I get to work with and meet amazing people, look after stunning plants and breathe in the freshest air ever - feeling very grateful 🙏🏽

I am also on the move - away from Chapel Allerton and back to Roundhay for a while to spend more time with my gorgeous mum.

I’ll be setting up a studio space with my insanely talented fella in Wakefield and working on new and exciting products and pieces over the next months. I’ve also started drawing more and learning handpoke tattoos.

The future is looking slower, more connected and totally in alignment with who I am - and I totally here for it! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

The miniature version watercolour I made for mum last week of our half-blind cat!

Apparently it’s a century-old method for reducing swelling 🤣

Annnnd then I got stuck into helping build the new shop I am going to be working in (more details of that later!) and took a little tumble down a few stairs and sprained my ankle! I’ve had enough hospital visits this week thank you very much!

I am resting up atm - elevating my foot which is helping loads, going to try the 🥬 cabbage trick (apparently the chemicals in cabbage help reduce inflammation) and sleeping loads to help the healing process.

Praying to the universe I’ll be back on my feet properly next week 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

I love this little lady so much ❤️

What a week! First it was my mamma bear’s birthday but she had to have a second injection into her eyeball on the day so was celebrating pirate-style with an eye patch and helium balloon!. We had a lovely glass of Prosecco and tasty nibbles at in Oakwood ❤️

And another! Just chilling out after eating pastry crumbs!

Cool mural from Manchester last week…

It’s no big secret that I adore pigeons! So on my recent work trip to Manchester I was happy to be sitting with this little guy…

Yes I am a cat person but I actually need a little chihuahua in my life like Fizzy - she’s the best! I love her!

🤤

Oh Chapel Allerton you are looking beautiful today 🥰

Textures from the sea…

Little Fizzy came to join us on the beach today….

Beautiful day today at Saltburn-by-the-Sea - it was warm but cloudy so skipped the wild swim and just had a paddle 😳

Inspiration…

Started really getting into drawing again. Thought I’d post this from the other day…

Mossy stick sketch with watercolour paint and 003 fine liner…it’s all about that teeny tiny detail!

Isn’t nature weird and wonderful?

Good morning little sunshine heads! ☀️

I find focusing on teeny tiny detail immensely relaxing but I know it’s not for everyone! What creative things do you do to relax and feel “locked-in”?

Looking after this gorgeous elderly lady for the next few days 🥰 She’s an absolute joy…and wasn’t bothered by my mum’s cat - in fact, she even cheekily ate some of his food while he sniffed her ears! One elderly lady and one half blind cat with a focus on food! Bless them!

Cheeky little vase/flower arrangement I made a while back. I will have a few of these with me on Sunday - come and say hello and see my stuff in person - I am rarely at markets these days and will be even more elusive once I start my fabulous new job which I shall post about soon!

Took a rest day today after an intense day at the hospital with my mum yesterday (she’s fine despite having to have an injection in her eyeball 😳)and then teaching art to a lovely bunch of kids until 7.30pm last night…

Today I spent about three hyper focused hours drawing as I find it deeply relaxing. Currently working on organic shapes and coral and this miniature drawing was created only using dots (apart from the outline) with a 003 fine liner.

Might make more botanical/nature-based pointilism drawings and add them to Etsy at some stage.

I’ve had a million hairstyles in 45 years - different lengths, different colours…but I’ll always love being yellow! I just love expressing myself through different styles. Not even included my crops in this post either!

Maybe one day I’ll go yellow again 💛

Northern through and through…

I was instantly drawn to this at Waddesdon Manor and then I took a closer look 😳

Feeling the need to make more floral hand-ties again…

Another throwback photo from a planter I made for people to play with during one of my workshops for a few years back.

The workshop attendee added painted the cute pink stripe, chose a juicy succulent to plant inside and eventually painted the raw bits gold - it looked amazing!

Concrete 🍑