AS THE SEASON TURNS. A BEAUTIFUL, QUIET TIME OF YEAR, A TIME FOR COMING INWARDS, HOMEWARDS, A TIME, AS WE SAY IN WALES, FOR 'CWTCHING'.
Winter for me means one thing - simplifying.
My work routine, my schedules. In the studio it means simplifying the space I work in, and decluttering after the Autumn paintings are finished. More over, and in a seasonal change that I adore, it means simplifying the palette of colours I use in my paintings. Putting away the greens and burnt oranges, my hand excitedly reaches now for the dusty pinks, mauves, and golds to complement the plain, drawn neutral backgrounds I love.
My winter palette ranges from rusty red to dark grey, deep yellows to sage brown, and pink to gold. Even the most delicate and subtle shades will have their place in my winter palette, inviting experimentation and rediscovery of classic winter colours in an original way.
THE WINTER OF LISTENING - a poem by David Whyte
What is precious inside us does not care to be known by the mind in ways that diminish its presence. What we strive for in perfection is not what turns us into the lit angel we desire. What disturbs and then nourishes has everything we need. What we hate in ourselves is what we cannot know in ourselves but what is true to the pattern does not need to be explained. Inside everyone is a great shout of joy waiting to be born. And here in the tumult of the night I hear the walnut above the child’s swing swaying its dark limbs in the wind and the rain now come to beat against my window and somewhere in this cold night of wind and stars the first whispered opening of those hidden and invisible springs that uncoil in the still summer air each yet to be imagined rose. You can read the full poem here
WINTER PAINTINGS - HOME DECOR INSPIRATION
There's no getting away from it, paintings need walls to hang on.
And what you hang on your walls really does matter.
Build inspiration for your home decor around an artwork you really love, love, love and you're guaranteed to be building a home that resonates with your authentic self. And of course, if you live in a space that echoes your authentic self you will be happier, more settled, more as we say in Wales 'cwtched'. It's simple (which is what I love) and it works.
If you're interested in this concept of authentic living, I can recommend The Book of Do - a manual for living
WINTER PAINTINGS - YOUR HOME AESTHETIC
For me, painting is about:
the narrative
the stories
the people
the scene and most of all it's about the season.
As it's the season that dictates the colour, and the colour is what I'm all about.
I'm often asked if it's wrong to hang winter paintings all year round.
It's an understandable question. An answer could be is it wrong to hang beachy summer paintings all year round? Dig deeper and maybe what this question really asks is 'I love this painting, but can I trust my taste?'
When I'm teaching artists I always encourage them to continually monitor their inner 'yeses' - in other words their personal discernment. This can be hard at first as we are all used to being told what to look at, what to like, what to value. When in truth we are all so very beautifully individual, with individual tastes, likes and values. We can not like what everyone else likes, and there's no reason that we should.
Here's the only thing that matters when considering art for your wall.
How does it make you feel? Does it resonate with your authentic self? Will it make you feel more at home? if so .... then buy it. You'll be coming home to yourself.
The paintings featured here were from previous years' Winter Collections and are all now SOLD. My 2023 Winter paintings will soon be available. To see these when they are released, please sign up for my newsletter here.
If you'd like to enquire about any artwork, please do contact me
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