“The creative process in all its many forms is the key to emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.” Janet weight reed
My hummingbird imagery symbolises the unseen and intangible in our world. Just because we can’t see or touch something doesn’t mean it’s not there or is having a profound effect on our lives.
The Aboriginals, Native Americans and many other indigenous peoples around the globe have a deep understanding of our spiritual, physical, social and cultural connection to the land. They believe all of life as it is today, human, animal, bird and fish is part of one vast unchanging network of relationships. They understand fully the importance of land management towards our health and overall wellbeing.
Crickhowell Wales – watercolour- the continual flow of Mother Nature. 
It seems that many people today, young and old from all sectors of society, are experiencing physical and emotional illnesses and distress. Given our fast pace of life and that so much of the world’s population is now plugged into technology of one kind or another, is it any wonder that our collective senses are being deadened?
In this fast watercolour sketch from Portugal last October, everything within the image is interconnected. There are no starts and stops…no beginning and no ending, rather a continual flow.
Feeding our senses by spending time in the natural world, is healing. However, like all good medicine, it needs to be enjoyed on a consistent basis.
Many have forgotten the simple pleasure of sitting beneath a tree and how restorative it is. 
I have been listening to a radio programme about the power of the placebo…and how it has been shown time and time again to cause a sense of wellbeing even though the recipient is fully aware that they are taking a sugar pill. This has everything to do with mind, body connection.
When we immerse ourselves into the creative flow, our minds are taken into what I call deep time. A place that is totally different from our clock watching, rushing to the next appointment type of time. An intangible sense of calmness and wellbeing ensues. We return to what we were designed for – being part of nature and engaging our senses.
Portugese children on Armona Island playing with shells….
Trying to exist in this brave new world and finding a space for creativity, in all its many forms….might for many sound impossible.
I have raised a family and worked all my life and like most people have lived through some very stressful times. I have learned that if I simply stop….and give myself some soul food each day, I am immediately calmed and feel a sense of well being. Soul food time enriches and supports everything else we need and have to do in life.
It costs nothing. It doesn’t mean major life changes. It simply means addressing the part of ourselves that is in desperate need for daily food and nurturing.
Brecon Beacons Wales 
From Buddhist Offerings….
‘We see that life, composed of this mind and body, is in a state of continual constant transformation and flux. There is always the possibility of radical change. Every moment – not just poetically or figuratively, but literally – every moment we are dying and being reborn, we and all life’
Since I first wrote this post we have all experienced a radical change.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has given us all, individually and collectively, time to re think our lives….and hopefully learn what is important and what isn’t.
Janet 🙂
There have been periods during my career when I began each day with a two hour life session in my studio. I hope to have that opportunity again one of these days.
I was fortunate to go to art school in the early sixties when the first year was dedicated to life drawing. Observation, observation, observation……
I believe that a strong foundation block frees an artist to explore their work with more confidence. 
Along with nude models we also worked with ‘costume models’ learning how to capture the human form beneath the drapes of fabric – again honing observational skills.
Focusing on the loving and gentle hands of the mother. Quite a few years ago I gave a weekend residential workshop in Herefordshire where we painted the hands and feet of models. Excellent exercise. 
Capturing the gesture and seeking out the abstraction of the shapes produced. 
For those who would like to try life drawing – I suggest tuning into ‘LIFE DRAWING LIVE’ BBC 4 TV—–a good way to get started. 
Painted during lock down, this symbolic image of Christeve the Cat overlooking the village of Mas Cabardes – SW France demonstrates why sketch books are so vital in the life of an artist.
Sketches are thoughts on paper…in this case very quick responses to what I was seeing. They can become excellent reference material. 
Ultimately, Christeve the Cat finds that her home is right there in front of her.
There are so many more cats in my life, but I thought it would be fun to share a few with you today. 
DORA – line drawing 
If I had been staying on the farm for two weeks as planned I would have filled a couple of sketch books.
Here are more timeless images showing horse, mule and man power on the farm. 
Bringing in the hay…..
Man and beast take a rest after a long days work. 
Kendle takes a gentle ride on Baby, one of her favourite horses before helping with the hay harvest.
Although He suggests a nice rose to go with it, Jarrod will be having his Captain Morgan Spiced Rum with cream soda.….which might be worth trying..
In the breezeway which connected two areas of the house, I painted a colourful mural and installed ‘sugar feeders ‘(which hummingbirds love) and a small fountain all of which served to attract hummingbirds. A beautiful place to sit and ponder. The Brandywine River flowed below the house…
More new life….a dear little rabbit….
Jarrod fence building with two of the Amish neighbours. The Amish help a great deal with the farm and as Jarrod and Kendle said they are some of the best neighbours you could ever wish for.
Fresh baked bread a gift from The Amish neighbours.
For anyone following on this trip concerned that Amish Country was a DRY area…Kendle sent this picture of the local booze shop
