Just draw

Sometimes the process of drawing is more important than the final product. Like a meditation, you can get lost in the flow of creativity. Even if you're out of practice, it's great to have a go at drawing from time to time. Don't think too much about it - just draw!

Attachment

I do this thing where I make something, intending to let it go and then I become quite attached. Then the idea of letting it go becomes difficult. Like this 'Tropical jug'. I created it on the wheel and hand painted the design. Now I love it too much!

But I can't keep everything I make. Unless I want to be featured in one of those terrible 'Hoarders from Hell' TV shows. I have to let things go. 

Maybe it's not always about the stuff? Maybe I need to let other things go. Like the fact that I simply do not have enough hours in the day to achieve what I want to do. Or that I really want to be a bright and cheerful person even when I've had only two hours sleep (having a night owl baby, well, that's a whole other story). But most of all, there are people that I miss who are no longer in my life and I have to let go of that attachment. 

All that from a jug? What a wise and sensible jug you really are. I think I'll keep you for a while.

Winter house sculpture

I know it's summer, but here is a little Winter house to cool us all down a bit. I've been working on ceramic pieces for some time now and I'll start adding them to my Etsy shop. Have a peek if you like!

I have a voice

I can see why it's had such an impact. The film, 'The King's Speech' shows Bertie's struggle to overcome his stammer and inner conflicts to take the role of King of England. Lionel, his speech therapist helps him, not just to give speeches without being hampered by his stammer, but to feel that he has a right to speak.

'The King's Speech' reinforces that we all have a voice. As Lionel says to Bertie, we all 'have a right to be bloody well heard'. For those who have struggled to stand in their true power, to take the life that they want to lead, this film is not a gentle reminder, but rather, a grand push.

Bertie struggles to stand in the role of King which he feels so unworthy and unprepared for. We may not have an upcoming coronation to feel nervous about, but plenty of moments in life can feel as momentous and overwhelming, taking the courage to speak from us.

Speak your truth, because if you don't use your voice in the way you're meant to, your words will spill out regardless. Perhaps not in the way you planned. The words you've squashed down with your doubt and worry will instead drop from your mouth and fall to the ground with a thud in places where they are not intended - at work, or at pilates, or at your child's playgroup. Unspoken words will fill you and fill you up until you are so filled with chatter that you can't even think straight.

Be brave enough to risk rejection, embarrassment and defeat. Not everyone will like what you have to say, but it is your truth, your words and you have a right to be heard. Speak now.

Supermarket love

Ah, love, love, lovitty love, love. I love love, it's, um, lovely.

Feelings?

We sometimes expect a lot of kids. A lot of adults still don't know how they feel much of the time, let alone know how to express their feelings. So when my little boy expresses 10 different emotions all at the same time, I try to be understanding. Hugs are a good solution for most things.

Making stuff

What is this drive we have, to create something from nothing, to make concrete our ideas, to make stuff? I'm happiest when my hands are busy and my mind is focussed on solving a creative problem. It just makes sense to me to create what I want to see in the world.

I'm sure there are others who can relate to the tossing and turning at night when an idea just won't go to sleep and you have to grab your sketchbook and get it out of your head.

There are times when I have sat on the train, the rhythm and pace of the carriages on tracks lulling me into a creative mind space and my ideas flow out of my brain, through my hand and pen onto my sketchbook. It's one of the greatest feelings.

Other times I battle with the process, when I'm tired, or cranky or trying to meet a deadline that I've set for myself and it feels like hard work.

No matter where my life has taken me, I always return to the part of me that creates something from nothing. It's not always about making something practical or beautiful or commercially viable. It's not for praise or award. It's the way my mind works. A drive that I can't ignore, it's part of who I am. I make stuff.