#24: Don't dig deeper!

So far today I had a drumming lesson, went to see some arty friends at a local gallery, had an identity crisis about the art I make, had a cry, ate some lunch and realised I was actually just hungry all along, and wrote this letter to you. It’s been a rollercoaster and I should always remember I usually just need a snack to get me back on track.

Here are some art updates of the week!

Art as play

I thought I wasn’t into landscapes, but then I realised they don’t have to be serious. I let myself play around and it turns out they’re more fun with orange grass and yellow trees ripped out of paper. This one is now heading to the wall of a local cafe. If I’m lucky it may even be sold.

It’s so hard to know what makes people connect with the art you make. It feels totally random at times, and so I’m learning to just make what I want to and hope that someone likes it. For example, I was stuck in an art rut before Christmas and I made these two doodly canvases to help me loosen up. I popped them into a market and someone bought them. Unanticipated success! A very small success, but a win regardless.

Let’s keeping making art that feels good to us. How are you being creative at the moment? What gets in your way? Tell me all about it!

Another silly poem

If you believe in ‘one for sorrow, two for joy’, look out for another magpie in this email. I don’t want Jill to cause you sorrow!

Writing poems to go along with my illustrations is a new thing for me. The idea is that by writing more regularly, creating a children’s book can seem less intimidating. Or is it just a distraction?! Either way, it’s fun and we all got to imagine a record-breaking magpie, so that’s something.

You’ll never catch me in Card Factory

Making cards is joyful! I like this one, made with a Cornwall sunset in mind.

I never go into making a card with a plan in mind, which means some turn out well and some look very bad. I don’t have photos of the bad ones. Nothing says ‘have a lovely birthday!’ quite like a card with layers upon layers of paper, all clearly stuck down to cover a mess beneath. If you’ve received one of these thick cards from me, don’t dig deeper!

TWO bookworms

Last week I shared the beginnings of a crochet bookworm for a primary school...and now I’m seeing double. They’re growing big and strong so far:

The deadline is next week so I’ve been crocheting away like a busy little worm. In my next letter you’ll see the final results! They don’t have names yet… any ideas?

That’s my week in art! I hope yours has been a good one too <3

Thank you

It’s lovely that you’re here reading about the things I make. If you have any reflections or fancy a chat, leave a comment or hit ‘reply’. I love when these posts turn into a conversation. Wishing you a great week ahead.

Love,

Kara x

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