So tell me, is it worth it?
Is Twitter all it is cracked up to be?
As I decide whether or not to open myself up to yet another social media channel,
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Are you on Twitter?
Why?
What do you like about it?
Any advice for a newbie?
Last weekend I went to a beautiful simple winter wedding in a stunning old priory down in the south of England. I thought I’d share some of the lovely details with you…
Are there any lovely touches you particularly remember from your own wedding or one you have been to?
Meeting Prince William
Last week I had the privilege of meeting newly-engaged Prince William, the future King of England. Wow, what a lovely guy he is. I have never been a huge fan of the monarchy, but meeting him changed that. I got the feeling he understands what real life is like, and all about. I just know he will make a great King.
I couldn’t resist but ask him about how he proposed to Kate Middleton. He blushed and said he was so nervous beforehand – in case she said no! In case she said no?? She is going to be a princess! Of course she wouldn’t say no!
I think I’d quite like to be a princess. How about you?
I am absoutely thrilled to share the news that American painter Flora Bowley will be teaching a three-day workshop at the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat in Yorkshire, England next May!
(Image: Tyson Robichaud)
Flora’s painting style is gorgeously unique, bursting with colour and beauty, and she is an incredibly gifted teacher. The one day class I took with Flora a while back was one of the most freeing days of painting I have ever experienced. So you can imagine how exciting it is that Flora will be travelling to Europe specially for this workshop, where participants can sink into three days of indulgent creating with this wonderful free spirit.
In “Bloom True – wild and delicious painting with Flora Bowley“, the class will explore a whole new way of painting from a space of freedom, non-judgment and experimentation. This process is about loosening up, letting go of expectations, having fun and allowing paintings to unfold naturally. The class will paint on giant canvasses, with access to acres of stunning countryside for inspiration and outdoor classroom space.
If you are able to join us, I can promise you will never look at painting the same way again.
‘Freed’ by Flora Bowley, acrylic on canvas 36″ x 36″
As part of the retreat’s creative enterprise sessions, Flora will also share some of her experience in making it as an internationally-acclaimed professional painter, who has licenced some of her work with Anahata Katkin’s ‘Papaya!’.
Flora lives and works full-time as a painter in Portland, OR, where she is inspired by magical forests, abundant gardens and a thriving community of fellow artists. Flora’s love for life and spontaneous nature are clearly visible in her vibrant, easily recognizable paintings. Throughout the year, Flora enjoys travelling, teaching workshops and painting in colourful locations around the world.
More information will be available on the Do What You Love retreat website to be launched in December. This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone – so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch with the new website in December, but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter at the top of this page.
We haven’t had snow like this in England in November as long as I can remember. Down to minus 20 in some places and eight inches of snow expected in the next 24 hours.
I know it is nothing like you get in other parts of the world, but somehow snow seems to always take us by surprise here. On the news they keep talking about the travel chaos everywhere, but I am secretly happy about the quiet magic that falls over the countryside when snow comes.
We shuffled downstairs early this morning, before the rest of the world woke up, and sat with steaming mugs of tea looking out over the whiteness.
View from my studio early this morning
View from my attic office skylight
What’s the weather like where you are today?
Having fun with my photos from Chicago, the last stop on my recent US adventure.
They aren’t my normal style. What do you think?
The top two are of Anish Kapoor’s amazing sculpture ‘Cloud Gate’ in Millennium Park. The third is of a smaller sculpture in the same park (‘Sacred Rock’, part of a special exhibition by contemporary Chinese artists), and the last picture was taken at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
If you like any of them, I’d be interested to know which and why…
More posts from my recent US adventures:
In this penultimate post about my recent trip to the US, I want to share some images of this captivating city. There is an incredible air of possibility about this place, and so much to feast your eyes on…
If you are a fan of NYC, what is it that draws you to it?
Living the NYC artist life on a stall with Jenny (Overallbaby), Dolores (Marikit Deisgns) and Louise (Dream, Inspire, Create) at Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn – I could get used to this!
So to one of my three workshops at Squam – a photography class with Susannah Conway of unraveling fame.
I love the soulful polaroid shots that appear one after another on her blog, and was interested in absorbing some of the magic. After learning a few rules, and then being encouraged to go out and break them all (my favourite bit), I snapped away.
In the woods…
And by the lake…
Have you broken any rules recently?
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More on my Squam experience here: Reflections of Squam – I dreamed a dream
“When we look with our eyes, from our hearts, through the lens, it’s a completely different photo and something really powerful can happen” Jen Lemen
Check out this awesome video of Jen’s story on her journey from happy snapper to $50,000 world photography prize winner…
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And if you are in the mood for wishing, please help me make a dream come true here!