May blog post...

Looking back on May. I can forget all the things I have done and enjoyed and I like to reflect back to meditate on time. It pases by so quickly, I think it is good to stop and take time to appreciate life. Find the beauty in the moments gone by, the lessons, the loves, the creativity. To progress forward with new idea's, developing them. Finding new paths and taking the days gone by into the days yet to come. Every day is a new day, but they go by so fast, and it feels a little slower to just slow down and take a look at what I have done with my time. To appreciate it and make the most of it. Try to slow down, to slow time down, to slow life down, before it passes quickly by without any appreciation.

Noticing the little things. How magnificent they really are. The little details of creation that make up a creature. The good, the bad, the inbetween. Life can be blissful in ignorance, or it can be beautifully deep and meaningful.

I have almost finished my rose painting. But I tend to nearly finish things and then set them aside for a while deciding on what and how to finish them.

I will decide how to make this the best I can. But I needed a new project and creative process now and started a new landscape painting.

I like to take my time trying to capture and create things. To build up layers, a messy underpainting quickly started, then calculated progression. Slowly taking time and always stepping back, looking and figuring things out.

I also enjoy quick creations, and to have fun and experiment.

I love making little abstract paintings when I only have a little time, or sketching. My abstract paintings are normally quickly thought out and normally made just for me to enjoy. Colourful tones that I feel work well together and energetic marks. Lino-cut prints are an old favourite and I still make cards to sell.

My handmade cards, prints and paintings can be found at Curio, a lovely shop by the sea. 99 Sandgate highstreet in Kent.

I like to journal, to take photo's and to make art and that makes me appreciate my life. To really look at my time and how I am spending it, what i'm getting from it, or where it is wasted.

Flowers and fruits, beautiful things.

This is one of the bags I sell with my artwork printed onto it. A lightweight, 100% cotton tote. The red strawberry watercolour printed one feels like summer. It makes a great beach bag, and is perfect to carry a packed lunch and book in.

The weather was a bit bipolar, but I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy a lot of sunshine in May, and time with friends and family. I was actually on a bit of a health kick, and didnt drink any silly amount, but still enjoyed myself here and there when I had enough time off work. I was very glad to make it to a friends engagement party, though I couldnt drink at all. Also glad to have the whole weekend off at the end of May to do some dancing, beach days and make the most of seeing friends.

I have been vegan now for about 6 years, and I really enjoy eating a plant based diet. I love cooking and colourful salads and smoothies. Spicy, fragrant flavours, healthy snacks and soups.

I enjoy being active, and moving my body. It isn't something I do just for physical reasons, but mostly for my mental health. Having suffered with a mood disorder a lot when I was younger, I work pretty hard at being healthy physically and mentally. I started taking better care of myself after a lot of therapy back in 2019. I made some big changes, and continue progressing, one day at a time.

I think my mental health difficulties took a heck of a lot of my time, I have been enjoying life more now like I wasnt able to in the past. Doing things I probably would have done 10 years ago if I could have had the mindset to do them. Without the kind of difficulties I had to deal with instead.

The sun rises and the sun sets on a new day, everyday.

Make the best of things.

Happy June!

Take care. Thanks for reading,

Gemma