Rowan

Rowan is my sanctuary on a Friday - away from the desk, away from the stress and chaos, a place simply for people to make and create.  I feel so privileged to be part of it.  At the moment I am making a ceramic bowl for my Mum's birthday and am starting a large group painting to be hung in the kitchen.  Looking forward to my progression tomorrow.

Another forgotten building, another found inspiration

Walking around my Dad's village, I couldn't help but be drawn to this beautiful old building, which we thought might have been an old shoe factory.  The broken panes of glass and the rotting, peeling paint just draw me in, as I imagine who used to live there, what used to happen and why has no body restored this little piece of history.

Making Flowers

I've got back into card-making the past couple of weeks, since my grandma asked me for a batch and there seem to be so many birthdays at this time of year. I've continued using the flattened brush as a shape for petals but have also started experimenting more with different colours and flicking paint over the background, as I didn't like the plain white.  Thinking of trying it as a canvas painting next.

Back in my favourite place

Manchester has probably been the biggest inspiration in my life so far and today I got the pleasure of spending the day there in the sun.  The architecture always astounds me - the way the old Victorian buildings still stand proud against the ever-growing background of new development.  This little pub is like a shiny gem stone, unique and irresistible.

Look up and see a work of art

I was on the train to London.  I looked up and saw this and I just thought wow.  I don't know why I am drawn to old run-down forgotten buildings, but I am, and the contrast of the greys and the browns here against the bright blue sky is just stunning.  The lines through the sky complete it.  It was the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time.