We need and depend upon one another and our environment so that we can flourish and live meaningful lives, rather than simply existing in our individual pods, hanging on for dear life!
watercolour
On my recent VIRTUAL trip to Crickhowell, Wales, I spoke about the importance of community many times, and how Crickhowell exemplified that for me.
In October 2005, during a personally challenging time, I had to move from beautiful Crickhowell to London. Along with the failure of a project that had been very dear to my heart, my elderly Mother who lived in Kent was becoming ill.
watercolour
In 2008 I found a bolt hole in Hampton SW London….and so brought my Mother from Kent to a nursing home a few minutes walk away. Prior to this I had been commuting back and forth from London to Kent every week, overseeing nurses and my Mother’s house and garden and at the same time trying my best to keep up with work commitments.
I thought my bolt hole would be a temporary measure – maybe a year or two at the most, after which time I planned to move permanently to France.
Nearly 12 years later I am still here in Hampton, proving that none of us is ever creative enough to know how things will actually work out…….
watercolour
Although a pandemic has been long predicted by scientists – we buried our collective heads. None of us expected a global pandemic in 2020, let alone the ensuing consequences and fall out.
Just a few short months ago, we had no idea that we would need to let go of all pre-conceived ideas and that our lives on an individual and collective level would change in such dramatic ways?
None of us is ever creative enough to know how things will actually turn out………
Because of the virus, we have been allowed to stop and think.
Like farmers who allow their land to lie fallow for a period without being sewn in order to restore its fertility…we humans have also been allowed to lie fallow for a short period of time.
Creative thinkers have seen this as an opportunity to make positive changes, which brings me back to Hampton….
After the first lock down I was introduced to The Inspired Hub http://www.theinspiredhub.co.uk Fortunately for me – right on my doorstep.
During the first lockdown Susan Green (a creative thinker) and Hampton resident along with others had been busily revamping an old building and site. It is now a place that is very pleasing to the eye, focusing on creative thinking, wellbeing and community……
In short they have turned what is a very challenging situation into a positive.
Many people have turned to zoom for both social and educational purposes. I prefer to communicate one on one…and so use Skype to talk with my children and some close friends.
I have been used to working and living alone for many years, but what about those who find themselves feeling cut off and isolated? What about those who are living in crowded conditions with not enough money to pay the bills or put food on the table?
As 2020 morphs into 2021 perhaps we need to ask ourselves what have we learned from this experience individually and collectively?
All the images in this blog are watercolours…..where I have used small amounts of pigment with lots of water…..plus dry white paper.
More tutorials to follow…..
Janet.:)
These gorgeous images lift my spirits like I think flight would feel!
Thank you for such a lovely compliment. Janet:)
These are beautiful.
Thank you, Timothy:)
Nice insights Janet. We all need some level of community and interaction, Kudos to Susan for creating a hub to promote community and creativity. And I agree about having time to lie fallow and ponder our lives. Hopefully, many people will find more loving, creative, and cooperative ways forward.
Thank you dear Brad – let’s hope that’s the case…we need more loving creative and cooperative ways:)x
Indeed. 🙏
Wonderful what “small amounts of pigment and lots of water” can create if put there and left alone! I love your use of colour and always enjoy seeing your lovely loose paintings.
Thank you so much for sharing your art and for you writings and thoughts. All very inspiring.
All the best, stay safe and well.
Thank you very much Elizabeth for your lovely comment. Janet 🙂
Thank you Janet. I love your cranes.
Thank you:)
I so enjoy reading and viewing your blog 😍
Thank you very much dear Ka:)
Love your art!
Thank you very much – Janet 🙂
Reblogged this on Hutts Ultra Blogging World.
Reblogged this on Hutts Ultra Blogging World.
Thank you dear Peter…always much appreciated and I love seeing you here:)
Really good
Janet, your watercolors are spectacular. They are so delicate and I love the purple! You are os very creative and talented. Can one be talented without being creative? Or vice-versa?
Good afternoon Carol – Thank you very much indeed – coming from you – a very talented and creative person – that is one heck of a compliment. Hope you are staying well. Janet :)X
What utterly delightful paintings! I’m so pleased to be the proud owner of one. Yes, we’ve certainly been given a chance to breathe and rethink many things. Here’s to us all creati g a better environment.xxxx
Beautiful paintings … scrolling through them was just like watching ballet, beautiful movement and light!
Thank you very much for this lovely comment:)
You are very welcome.
Your watercolors here are exceedingly lovely and alluring, and I love the slow pace of the reading.You tell a story, don’t you, with short “chapters”- I’m so happy for you that you are able to go out safely and pursue your love of art among other people who love art too.
Big big snow here today. We are all well.
Thank you, David:)
I love the watercolours! The cranes are in a dance. You show real depth and movement.
Thank you very much for your comment….much appreciated. Janet 🙂