When the Universe whispers……..

Magical Hummingbird – watercolour

“I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:

I’m not screwing around.  It’s time.   All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt, has to go. 

Your amour is preventing you from growing into your gifts.   I understand that you needed these protections when you were small,  I understand that you believed the armour could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. 

Time is growing short.    There are unexplored adventures ahead of you.   You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think.    You were born worth of love and belonging.    Courage and daring are coursing through you.   You were made to live and love with your whole heart.   It’s time to show up and be seen.’

Brene  Brown

Wishing one and all a beautiful weekend.

A Bientôt

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

 

 

‘Overview’ of my trip to the States.

“Travel makes one modest.   You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world”   Gustave Flaubert

During the past month, I have visited seven States, have slept in ten different beds, taken two Amtrak trains, one domestic flight from Washington DC to Atlanta, five car rides and one ferry.

Along the way, I have been with family, dear friends, three babies, numerous animals and have met some wonderful new friends who I am quite sure I  have met in previous lives…..

I dodged some major storms, experienced lots of rain and sunshine in almost equal measure and throughout it all so much joy and laughter prevailed.

After having made plans for the trip, I then let go of all preconceived notions and allowed things to unfold naturally, and they did in the most perfect of ways.    The magical hummingbirds were clearly with me all the way….  The adventure began with my beautiful daughter Christie meeting me at Boston’s Logan Airport.      I then got to meet LILO aka Fluff Puff –  He is as beautiful in the fluff as he is on my computer screen:)           Harvard Square – virtually next to where Christie lives in Cambridge.   This is where the adventure began.     Boston is looking very healthy and the new water front development is particularly impressive.   When I visited five years ago, very little of it existed.

Next stop Ipswich Mass.…(about one and half hour drive from Boston) where cousin Kate and the now ten year old twins live.   Ten years old is when you still see the world from many different points of view.      They are so much fun. The view from the cottage window, which changes constantly with the ebb and flow of the tides.      This is an area known for its delicious clams. Then onto Essex in upstate New York, via Vermont and the Charlotte Ferry which crosses beautiful Lake Champlain. 

Here we stayed with Sandy and Barbara Lewis.   I first met Sandy in New York fifty-one years ago when he interviewed me for a job.  (more about that in another blog)    Last time Christie and I visited the Lewis Family Farm was eight years ago…  The Lewis Family Farm offers the best USDA certified grass-fed beef.     A magnificent farm – from this view you can see Lake Champlain….Here is an early morning view of the Adirondack mountains from the farm….After two days of stimulating conversation and much laughter with Sandy and Barbara, we drove drove back to Boston.

Our next stop – Stonington, Connecticut  where my friend and fellow artist, RB Jones lives.    Currently RB is building a new studio, which we were pleased to see…plus he makes the best Margaritas ever:)     

Along with being a beautiful town with excellent cafes and restaurants, Stonington is a vibrant seafaring community with an interesting history.      When we arrived the trees were in full blossom.          After three lovely days in Stonington, Christie and I parted ways temporarily….I then took the Amtrak train to New York City,  where I stayed with another good friend, Cyma Horowitz.  Christie returned to Cambridge to make sure Fluff Puff was OK……

Grand Central Station in New York – where Cyma introduced me to The Campbell Bar – tucked away in a discreet corner of the Grand Central Terminal.      Originally the office of American financier, John W. Campbell…this iconic New York institution is now a space where people can meet and enjoy the unusual ambiance, but very few know about it…………..definitely worth a visit. Cyma Horowitz and Ferne Speiler are the best people to show anyone around New York City.    Cyma has been a volunteer Big Apple Greeter....someone who shows visitors around the city.   Ferne, who has lived and worked in New York all her life is the person responsible for coming up with the name  ‘Crickadoon’.       When visiting me in Wales, she mentioned how much Crickhowell reminded here of Brigadoon….hence the name.

Next stop, via Amtrak to West Chester Pennsylvania  where I stayed with my good friends Tom and Carolyn Comitta.     Carolyn is Representative at Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was busy working on the primaries when I arrived.    Along with friends of long standing,  on this visit I met some new friends – again more about this leg of the trip later in a separate post. After four days in West Chester, my son Jarrod Reed picked me up to take me to the farm in Nottingham, Pa where he and his partner Kendle live and work and what a magical place it is.

I will be writing much more about this leg of the trip and showing numerous pictures….but for this overview let it suffice to say that for anyone who enjoys the countryside and are interested in the Amish people’s way of life...this is a place to visit.   Jarrod and Kendle will be having an Air B n B at the Farm. –   Much more to come about that.

Jarrod with one of his favourite chickensJarrod took me around the farm on the Gator to enjoy the stunning views.  Kendle trains horses for dressage and is a fabulous cook.      Kendle, who I have known since she was five years old,  thinks about horses in the same way as I think about painting  and Jarrod thinks about music – in other words it is her life.      Sketching Jarrod on their deck while Jarrod played beautiful music….a special  moment. Jarrod and Kendle’s three immediate neighbours are Amish farmers.  I had the great pleasure to meet several of their community and will be writing more about this experience in a further blog. 

Anne Buffington, Kendle’s mother is an artist friend of mine going back to 1973 – and so my next stop was Anne driving me from the farm to the Annapolis area.      We packed in a lot of conversation and laughter during that time….

Next day Anne very bravely drove me to Washington DC – taken from the car. 

Here I re-connected with Christie and Jenifer Gausman.     We had so much fun for the ensuing 24 hours.   Here we are at Whiskey Charley – at the beginning of a superb evening. 🙂

Next stop Atlanta, Georgia.       After Jen’s lovely mother , Jorjie drove both Christie and I to the airport….Christie flew back to Boston and I flew onto Atlanta where I was met by my friend of many years, Lynn Kearns, and this is where the final leg of the trip began.

Staying with the Kearnsclan, as I call them is like being in the heart of family.    I was at Lynn and Stratton’s wedding many moons ago, knew their parents, have watched their children grow and now their grandchildren…hence this picture.   We have a much shared history. 

Meet Millie the dog, Eva, Charlotte and Miles…..I am laughing so much because all the parents are jumping up and down in front of me getting the children’s attention. This is where the magical hummingbirds came to visit me every day when I was with the Kearnsclan.    I would sit in a connecting porch and paint as they would fly around.    Beyond is Lynn’s very impressive vegetable garden – all of which is surrounded by acres of ancient woodland…..rolling down to Lake Lanier.    A real retreat. One day when Lynn and I were out purchasing water colour paper, we bumped into Rosemary Dodd – a real (Steal Magnolia) whose 100 year old father I painted as a portrait demonstration at the Quinlan Visual Arts Centre about 20 years ago.   One of many lovely coincidences on this trip.

Rosemary Dodd – a Southern Lady and super creative artist. 

Again I will be writing much more about this part of the trip, but two of the Georgia highlights were visiting the magnificent BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple, and on my final day becoming an anchor woman for CNN!Although this was not a painting trip per se, I did do a lot of sketching and have returned filled with many thoughts and ideas…..in other words the creative juices are flowing.

I finish this overview with a magical hummingbird.

 

A  Bientot

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

 

 

A wonderful week at the School in Olhao Portugal http://www.artintheargarve.com

‘Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties’.    Gail Sheehy

This watercolour was painted by Ginny, one of the group in Olhao Portugal last week. Throughout my years of painting and teaching, I have heard so often the frustration of those who would like to explore their creativity, but who always seem to find that life gets in the way!

The School in Portugal is a place where we can immerse ourselves into the creative process.    Water colour warm up exercises at the beginning of each session, along with sketch books enable us to let go of all the stuff we carry around in our day to day lives.   We are able to explore possibilities and take risks, not worrying about outcomes.

We were a harmonious group of twelve with two additions.    Geoff Levitus, an Australian artist http://www.geofflevitus.com, who is tutoring a group this week joined us for meals and conversation,  and during the final two days Keith, Ginny’s husband joined us.    Both brought a great deal to the week.           We had lovely sunshine and warm temps for most of the week, plus one night of storms which made for interesting and very paintable skies, and one day of rain…..but did we let it deter us???….not at all!     I love this photograph of us on our way to the Saturday market:)    We spent a perfect day on Armona Island and as always was treated to a delicious lunch of fresh grilled fish and vegetables at Armona 4 restaurant.       sketchbooks were in full use.

Armona Island – 15 minute boat ride from Olhao.    After a delicious breakfast, thanks to Joanna, each day begins with demonstrations.    The group can then choose to paint in the School or around the town.    Some prefer to paint alone and others in a group.     Lunch is served at 1 p.m. and then we have a two hour free period.     We meet again at 4 p.m. when I give more demonstrations and the group continues to work until approx. 6.30.

Those who have followed my blog will know that I often refer to the School as having a touch of Faulty Towers.     One of our group Deborah had just returned from India and said she thought the School reminded her a little of The Marigold Hotel…..and she is right.     It is a perfect place to explore creativity, to let go and to laugh a lot.

From the top level of the School with pool overlooking the rooftops of old Olhao.     There is another pool in one of the downstairs courtyards. I find the School to be one of the best places to explore the creative process.    Set on many levels with all sorts of areas for private or group work – it is perfect.    Added to that is the wonderful family atmosphere provided by the team…….I love seeing Joanna and Margarida’s children growing year by year…..

Joanna, Margarida and Camilla…..A fantastic teamWatercolour, painted by Jayanthi showing a lovely sunny day in the park. We had some lovely and unexpected surprises.    Dora Keogh, another of the School’s tutors had an exhibition in the town.  http://www.dorakeogh.com      Dora’s work is excellent and we all enjoyed the evening.    All Dora’s paintings were based on Olhao. We were also introduced to the Republic Community Centre – A beautiful old building with superb gallery space plus a bar and terrace and a really lovely large courtyard.       The paintings on display were of a high calibre….and it was much fun to meet more local artists who like many who attend the School come from around the world.

I like the shadow play of these trees against the yellow ochre/sienna walls in the courtyard at the Republic.     Definitely a place to paint next time. Minutes from the school is 4Elementos Ceramics & Azulejo – a shop and studio owned by artists Celia and Oswald.    They very kindly allow members of the group to paint in the charming patio behind the studio and over the years have become friends.

Celia in her studio….at 4Elementos Ceramics & AzulejoThe patio behind the studio at 4Elementos Ceramics and AzulejoGiven the techno charged fast pace of our lives today, it often seems that our collective senses are being deadened.

As we constantly try to fill the ever widening holes within us with more and more frenetic activity, frustration levels grow.

When we take time to feed our senses through the creative process, in all its many forms,  miraculous changes can and do occur, leading to a sense of well being and fulfilment.

Looking down into one of the courtyards from my room watercolour by OlgaOur final day coincided with the Carnation Revolution celebrations….Here are some of the group celebrating the occasion. I can’t write a blog without mentioning the Magical Hummingbirds.    They were clearly with us all the way on this trip.      I enjoyed a really meaningful conversation on my way to the airport with, Peter, one of the visiting Australians and (this is a bit of an inside joke for those attending this week)   I had a beautiful little eleven month old girl sitting next to me on the plane.:)

Also, as a lovely blob of icing on the cake, I got to see my friend Vicki Snaddon who runs the lodge in Belize http://www.pookshilllodge.com      A magical place filled with hummingbirds.   I will  be seeing Vicki again in September.

 

There are many more photographs of the groups work…which can be found on the facebook page of Art in the Algarve. 

I am off to Boston on Thursday morning and will be gone from here until June, at which point I will catch up with the blogs of all my friends.

OBSERVATON OBSERVATION OBSERVATION – and remember to carry a sketch book at all times. 

A bientot

Janet                                                   http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

It’s April which must mean Portugal :) – http://www.artinthealgarve.com

After the weekend I return to the School in Olhao, Portugal – hard to believe another year has past.      http://www.artinthealgarve.com

It’s always lovely to be reunited with the olive tree that meanders up through the internal courtyards all the way to the roof of the School – and given that sun and warm weather is forecast there will be lots of wonderful shadow play to observe and paint:)    After a long, wet, cold winter it will be wonderful….and oh the light, let’s not forget the light. I always look forward to being at the School – seeing Margarita and the rest of the team who make it feel like home, and being immersed in what I feel is one of the more conducive places to explore the creative process.      This year I am looking forward to it more than ever.

one of the exterior stairways in the School – watercolourOne of the group sketching on Armona Island – 15 minute boat ride from the School. Quick sketch of fishing boats – watercolourThe studio From top level of the School where the rooftops of old Olhao can be seen.  There is a small pool on the roof and another in one of the ground floor courtyards. Storks nesting top of one of the Olhao churches.       Olhao  part of the Ria Formosa National Park is a superb place for birders.    Olhao is a working fishing town…. fish from the local marketsketching in the alley behind the School  Playful hummingbirds to set the mood – watercolour. 

Those who follow my blog will know that when I am away and painting, other than checking e mails, I have a holiday from blogging and social media…

After I return from Portugal I will have six days and then on 3rd May I fly to Boston.    I will post a blog before leaving.

A Bientot

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk 

 

 

Meeting Bonnie Paul – and Following bliss…

When Bill Moyers asked  Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)  – ‘What does it mean to follow your bliss‘ and ‘Do you ever have the sense of being helped by hidden hands?’  – this was Campbell’s response.

“All the time.  It is miraculous.   I even have a superstition that has grown on me as a result of invisible hands coming all the time – namely, that if you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living.    When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you.   I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”   Joseph Campbell. 

Back to 1987.        Recently divorced, I had no money other than an old carriage house studio that I owned in West Chester, Pennsylvania.     The studio was a fifteen minute walk from where I had previously lived.

At that time, I made a life-defining choice to live and work in my studio, the only problem being that there was no heat or running water!

My Prescott Alley Studio, West Chester Pa. mid eighties.    I worked on one side and lived on the other.    I had recently been introduced to the writings of Joseph Campbell – Philosopher/Mythologist and discovered the term – Follow your bliss.….His books spoke to me.   I knew that it was time to stop straddling fences and to begin following my life path as a serious artist/creative, and that’s when amazing things began to happen, including Bonnie Paul coming into my life.

Although I was exhibiting and selling work, plus teaching, I needed to make more income.       Almost immediately after I made this decision, an artist friend from Philadelphia sent her art consultant/agent to my studio to see if she might be interested in representing my work.     The art consultant was Bonnie Paul,  

 

Years later after Bonnie and I had worked together on many large corporate murals and private commissions, we would laugh about our first meeting.      Bonnie so very glamorous, and I was definitely an artist living and working in my studio !

Bonnie and I together in Wales years after our first meeting – a place where we always relaxed and had so much fun. Along with private commissions, Bonnie got me into the Corporate mural area….which at that time was very much in vogue and lucrative.     She also became a very good friend.

Other people within my field of bliss arrived from seemingly out of the blue.   I can’t write about this without mentioning Jean Frohling who helped me enormously with the heat/water issue and much more, and became a life long mentor until her death last year.

The living side of the studio on Prescott Alley – after heat and water was installed….An episode that deserves a book. When we follow our bliss is doesn’t mean that everything will be easy.

I have found that when I follow my chosen path, my needs (not necessarily my wants)  are met in ways that I can never have imagined.

I have learned that when I stray from my path and try to control life….I usually get into trouble.   I don’t feel right – and my creative flow dries up!      It is when I tap into the unseen energies that the magic happens – (symbolised by my signature image, magical hummingbirds).

 

Dear Bonnie Paul departed the world this past weekend.    She had achieved so much.    A great lover and supporter of the arts, she has left a wonderful legacy for all who knew her, including her devoted family and many friends.      She will forever be part of my field of Bliss.

A Bientot

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

 

The Second half of my trip to France…

watercolour – CaramanyThis post is about my week in Caramany, a small, ancient hill top village – in the Pyrenees-Orientales department in southern France.     A very beautiful area.

My friend the artist Suzy Davidson (www.suzydavidson.com) –  has been renovating an old ruin there for the past nine years …..all of this done whilst living in South Africa and and Malaysia.    Quite a feat.        On her regular visits, she has managed to organise builders, and much more…..and being a hands on person has done a lot of work herself, including building walls….

To get there, I flew to Carcassonne and then a two hour drive to Caramany.     (On my return trip to Brittany and then London, I travelled by train – more about that in a minute)   

I left London just  before the ‘Beast from the East’ descended on the UK and Europe.  For the first three or so days it was freezing cold.     Fortunately Suzy had just installed two wood burners!

Suzy between house and atelier. Initially it was too cold to paint outside (we actually woke to a dusting of snow one morning!) – and so I painted some interiors, plus portraits of the local Caramany people – again an excellent way to connect with people and to learn about a place.

A very warm spot next to a wood burner (now shown in this picture:)A rapid sketch from open window. Built into rock, the community sits on many levels.     I took this photograph overlooking the courtyard to Suzy’s house with the ravine, village and hills beyond. There are 150 full time residents – (during the summer months this number grows)     Through Suzy, I was able to meet some of the locals who not only made me very welcome but also provided in one case a delicious typically French five course lunch, and in another a superb evening meal.

Marie – a multi talented lady. – watercolour  Seven year old Capucine – watercolour By mid week the sun was shining and in sheltered spots it was very warm.   I actually enjoyed my first al fresco lunch of the year.

Part of the village in mild sunshine. Remy – Caramany resident – watercolourVivi – wife of Remy  – watercolourI certainly hope to visit Carmany again during a warmer period when I am able do much more plein air painting.      I believe that Late April/May or September/October would be perfect….as I think the summers might be a little too hot for my liking.

Perpignan is about a 35 minute drive from Caramany, and so it was here that I caught the  first train on my way to Lorient in Brittany.      Other than the initial local train, I was travelling by TGV – the superb French train system which travels at high speeds and for the most part is very efficient.

Between Perpignan and Narbonne – I was able to see the lagoons with Pink Flamingos….what a treat.     After a quick change at Narbonne onto Toulouse, – Toulouse to Paris and Paris to Lorient where Elisabeth and Herve were waiting for me.    The train was right on schedule.        It sounds like a long day, and it was but given that the trains are so comfortable and everything on schedule….it is a far better way to travel than flying!.    An excellent opportunity for reading, writing, thinking and people watching.

A rapid watercolour/gouache in my sketch book looking down on the reservoir beneath Caramany….It was extremely windy and cold that day. .  

Now onto my next trip where I will be giving a workshop at the beautiful school in Olhao Portugal  http://www.artinthealgarve.com      starting Wednesday 18th April….

We have received two late cancellations and so if anyone is interested in joining us on what is always a wonderful week, please contact Camilla at +44 203 2877 140

I have a limit of 12 for these workshops and am fully booked for September.   

At this time of year, especially after our very cold spring, the thought of arriving at the School is such a treat.     The top of the old olive tree that grows up through the centre of the School….simply beautiful. 

I finish with a pile of magical hummingbird watercolour doodles 

 

A Bientot

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

 

 

A very special trip to France. Viva la Difference………

Viva la Difference.       I have just visited two very different regions of France.    For the first half of the trip I stayed in an ancient hill village situated in the Pyrenees, Languedoc-Roussillon region.     (I will write about this in my next blog)   For the second part of my trip I stayed in Ploeumeur – very close to Lorient in the Brittany Region.

In 1995 (two years after I returned to the UK/Europe from the United States) I had an exhibition in Brittany.    At that time I fell in love with the people and the wonderful traditions of the region.

My subject in the exhibition poster is a young girl named Solen.    I remember painting her when she visited Crickhowell, Wales– which brings forth another important connection.     Wales and Brittany are both of Celtic heritage.      Both places share a love of the arts, music and enjoy very strong traditions.

Note that in 1995, I was still signing my paintings  Janet Reed.   Shortly after this, I began to use my maiden name Weight Reed. During this visit I stayed with my dear friend Elisabeth (Babeth), her lovely partner Erve and their beautiful little dog Nouchka:)    I first met Elisabeth when she visited Crickhowell, Wales in 1993 – the year I arrived there….and we have been good friends since.      Today she lives a minute’s walk from beautiful beaches…..and is very happy.

With multi talented Elisabeth on a windy beach in Brittany.    Elisabeth paints, makes music and is a wonderful cook. And with Helene (Elisabeth’s sister-in-law) who I have also known for many years….such special friends It was through the 1995 exhibition that I realised how much I enjoyed painting people in a rapid watercolour style.    I recognised that I captured through the portraits a moment in time…..and most importantly, I was able to connect with the people I met in a very special way. 

I first painted Vincent, one of Elisabeth’s children, when he was seven years old – today he is in his mid thirties.      This little portrait shows a moment in time – a moment in Vicent’s life. And beautiful Maelle – Elisabeth’s daughter – seventeen years old when I painted this and now a mother of two children and living in Vancouver. And dear Nicholas – who I saw on this visit (now in his mid thirties) and today resembling one of Cezanne’s self portraits.    As I spoke with Nicholas I could still see the little boy in him.I have so many lovely stories about the people I have painted in many different countries.    Often we don’t speak a common language, but painting like music becomes a Universal language – crossing all barriers.

A quick watercolour of Elisabeth as we enjoyed conversation….2018Another of her partner Erve – musician and all round good man.  2018Erve who is part of a Breton male choir ‘Les Gabiers d’Artimon’ –   playing the Binjou – a bagpipe type instrumentErve leading a group on an exercise programme in the sea very close to where he and Elisabeth live.        They do this no matter what the weather…One of the many beautiful beaches that go on for miles and miles….The Little Port of Doelan in Finistaire- where the French version of Doc Martin is filmed…..What a surprise that was !   Along with Nicole, a lovely friend of Elisabeth, we enjoyed a superb lunch and afterwards a walk along the cliffs. In visiting this region I am reminded that England and France were once geographically joined.…which is why parts of SW England (Cornwall and Devon) resemble so much of Brittany.    Other than the fact that Brittany has better summers, the weather is also also similar.

And then there are the crepes – in every flavour imaginable….and they are delicious, as is all French food………During my forty five year career I have experienced moments when I wondered how could I continue….how could I go on?      This trip has reminded me of how fortunate I am to have lived the life I have – to have met so many wonderful people.    To live the life of an artist.

I must finish this post with darling little Nuouchka, who has definitely found a place in my heart. And of course a magical hummingbird – or Colibri Magique.….they were with me all the way. Wishing one and all a beautiful day and weekend ahead.

A Bientot

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk