Back to reality

I've spent a week in Truro, Cornwall and rather than finding inspiration, which I normally do while I'm there, I found clarity and peace of mind. Inspiration isn't always necessary in the creative process so it's time to start work again. This time from my new 'home studio'! It's empty at the moment so perhaps I'll post a picture of it when I'm settled in and have everything where I want it. The walls are currently bare and I have a strong urge to draw on them.

Since I was a child I've imagined having a room or even a whole house to draw freely on. I would thoroughly enjoy an evening with friends where we could all paint and draw on the walls, whatever that springs to mind.

I have been feeling close to nature this week and have been drawn towards prints with leaves and birds and colour palettes of green, yellow and blue. I'm toying with the idea of creating a stencil or trompe l'oiel. To paint my idyllic dream of a window with shutters, overlooking the landscapes of Florence would be as close as I could get to the real thing!

The week comes to a close and I'll drift off to the weekend with images of Italy, leaves and beautiful feathers in my mind.

(Image not my own)

Friday

Summer is officially here! Let's enjoy the clouds in the UK, the green trees and fields and just jolly well get on with it.

Making things sound Italian is fun! Perhaps I'll design some furniture and call it names in Italian instead of English... but then people might think I'm Italian, which I'm not. So I'll probably just stick to British English, seeing as I'm passionate about all things British made.

Wednesday morning - peaking?

Inspiration found me as soon as I turned on my laptop today. Vogue published some lovely images of summer Vogue covers to get me in the summery mood and it worked! It reminded me that I love illustration and I was interested to read that the illustrator was actually an industrial designer of some sort. I admire people who can put their hand to many things.


Logo to finish designing, some dreaming to do for the house project... all sorts I could do but need to just have a day off! Sometimes I want to spend all day thinking visually but realise that my brain needs a break.


A bit of admin done and a bit more left to do, but that can wait for later.


Time for sunshine!

Quiet reflection

Early one morning... when the mind is at its clearest.

Space and freedom.
Peace and quiet.
Light and air.
Health and happiness.
Love and kindness.

Alexandra in Ancient Greek means defender of man.

Exploring ideas to find the soul of my work; and to discover my company name.
Black and white.
Saint Piran's flag.
I am design.
Peas in a pod.
Grandfather clock.
Robots.
Typography.
Human kind.
Hearts whirring.
Freedom of expression.

Just having a break from a bit of Professional Development. Skills I want to explore further are public speaking, design writing, networking and interior design. I am just about to start an interior design project so that will give me something to get my creative juices flowing. I'll be researching local organisations and events where I can flex my networking skills. As for writing, I've decided to write a few articles, not for publication but for practice with a view to publishing my own work at a later date.

Listening to a bit of eighties music too!

Today's thought of the day - in order to progress with one's career, drive, determination and ambition are the key to success. The power behind it has got to come from within. There is a lot of advice out there from Career Advisors, helpful tips from peers/mentors to the heartfelt encouragement from friends and family; but unless you make opportunities for yourself, treading water is all you will be doing. Swim the Nile instead and feel the rewards.