Creativity Unmasked Blog - Coping with the Critics

I awoke to the lovely surpise this morning of being included in a fabulous blog called Creativity Unmasked! An amazing team 'Moags and Smeet' have created a series of blogs especially for us creative types dealing with everything from coping with the critics to describing their own creative process and great bits of advice. I feel very honoured that my 'Listen' print is featured!
http://creativityunmasked.blogspot.com/2011/05/coping-with-critics.html

Coping with the critics is something that all us creatives struggle with. When to listen to others and when to hear our own inner voice and follow our unique path is a fine line.


















When I am not painting I work as a creative in events, where our critics can number in the 1000s - the audience, the crew, our clients and ourselves! It can be challenging...

I once worked with a brilliant man who approached the process with the eyes of a child. It was as if we were all sharing a creative adventure together. Midst all the stress, with each critisicm he would reply 'that's interesting!' approaching it as part of the creative journey we were sharing. I learnt alot... sometimes I am even able to apply it!
   

Tree of Life Inspiration

Working away on my 'other job' and inspiration that crosses both my worlds struck!

A Tree of Life created from dancing joyous limbs...

When all is well in my world and I am cycling home from a day of painting, filled with inspiration and creative contentment, this is how I feel!

... I am itching to turn this into a painting.

My clever client came up with the initial idea ... Love it when my worlds cross.

Beautiful Angel Art

I have fallen in love with a jeweller's work - Robin creates exquisite angel pendants. Each has it's own meaning and message - just divine. 

I feel this one singing to me as I seek to unlcok more and more of my creativity ...
'Angel Kiara keeps the Keys'

And this one - it's called 'Angel Lauren opens her Heart and Soul' - what a talented lady!

Robin hangs out here
http://robinwade.com/
and here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinwade?ref=pr_shop_more

Butterfly Transformation paintings are up in my shop!

It was an exciting day today. I picked up my paintings from the photographers, managed to get them home on the tube (imagine how happy the commuters and sardines were at the sight of my A1 art folder whatsit!!!) and have got their photos in my hot little hands.

They are sitting in my shop, dreaming of transformation and beauty...
 http://www.etsy.com/listing/72242137/african-butterfly-print

Seasonal flight

Every year as winter descends on Europe, it reminds me of a bird drawing a huge cloak over the land ... of icy tendrils and frosty breath. And then Spring comes and pulls back the veil to reveal a kaleidoscope of colours and vibrant life.

I have spent the past few weeks in Australia and thus missed winter rolling over in its sleep and beginning its transformation into spring. When I returned and walked through my garden gate, it took my breath away.  My wintering garden of browns, greys and skeletal twigs had magically become an eager frenzy of life and colour and abundance.

 

In a wild dance and dash of watercolour and salt crystals I have tried to capture this feeling.

Art, daffodils and wine along the canal

What a gorgeous success our exhibition was! Such a diversity of talent and a constant flow of visitors coming to our island, I was very proud to be a part of it. We had a rocking opening party and the weekend passed in a blur of interesting conversations, croissants and many cups of tea..

It was lovely to share our little piece of paradise and wonderful to get feedback and comments.

Art needs the vitality of being seen and rubbing up against life and humanity otherwise what is the point of it?!

I haven't talked so constantly and smiled so much to so many people since getting married! I awoke this morning with aching cheek and a happy heart. How blessed I feel to have a studio in such a magical spot. My little Aladdin's cave...

The next exhibition will be weekend in June as part of the London Open Studios. Better get cracking!

Spring into Spring with an art exhibition!

In celebration of daffodils, tulips and the joy of splashing paint in the afternoon sunshine,we artists down at the Hideaway Studio have decided to put on an exhibition this coming weekend!

Bring eyes that love colour, a bicycle or a picnic to enjoy the canals and a camera in case the kingfisher appears!

Here's the blurb -

Brentford’s artists’ quarter - Johnson’s Island at the end of Catherine Wheel Road - is putting on a show of its resident artists’ work the first weekend of April.

Set among the houseboats of the Grand Union Canal, the pint-sized island once formed part of Isambard Brunel’s Brentford Dock.

Now it is home to a vibrant community of artists and artisans. For most of the year it is closed to the public but over the weekend of 2-3 April the doors will be open and a wide variety of artistic work will be on display.

If you are an art lover, or looking for a unique gift - and whether your thing is painting or puppet-making, sculpture or mosaics, book-binding or bicycle bags - come to this magical corner of Brentford.

The studios are open from 11-6, Saturday and Sunday.Nearest tube:Gunnersbury. Nearest trains:Kew Bridge or Brentford.  Buses: 65, 195, 235, 237, 267, E2, E8, H91