Finding time and inspiration can be elusive in a busy life, and I often struggle with this. Creative ideas surround me, and my shelves are full of books offering guidance. I have plenty of art materials, yet self‑doubt still creeps in — those familiar thoughts of ‘why do I put myself through this’? Eventually, I have to stop procrastinating, put my head down, and begin.
After a long search for an idea for our next exhibition, inspiration finally arrived while I was on holiday in Lossiemouth on the Moray coast — a beautiful part of Scotland. I came across boats hauled up onto the harbour for maintenance, their hulls exposed. They were striking: painted in many colours, each in a different stage of repair. Some were being sanded, others filled, barnacles scraped away, revealing atmospheric lines and textures that looked uncannily like landscapes. I took far too many photographs and then faced the challenge of making the idea personal, especially since many artists have explored similar subjects.
Back home, I wanted to use materials I already had. I enjoy both painting and stitching, though I felt a bit rusty. So I began experimenting at my kitchen table — paints, collage, mark‑making. Some pieces had energy; others fell flat. YouTube, as always, offered guidance from generous artists sharing their methods, and eventually I found a way forward: layering, building a mixed‑media base, and letting go of rules. I allowed myself to enjoy the process, and in time I had two canvases ready for stitching.
The initial idea has now been abstracted, but I hope the essence of those yacht‑hull landscapes — their colours, scars, and quiet stories — still remains.
It will be good to hear your comments!