All Things Bright and Beautiful

 

Somehow November came in with as a whirlwind of leaves, chilly air and the beauty of changing light. I walk in the afternoons to the sounds of dry leaves underfoot with a brisk pace and in awe of the colours that break through the landscape. There is no doubt that autumn is beautiful. It has its own rhythm and pace and sense of wonder.

The squirrels are so active and entertaining when they see me in the garden. I carry extra peanuts in my jacket pocket just in case! November needs to be noticed and appreciated even though I know it begins to usher in the winter season.

My schedule remains busy as I juggle my teaching schedule and finish commissions while trying to prepare for the 2026 year ahead. Sometimes I don't know how to keep up with all the work and get genuinely overwhelmed. When that happens, I notice my desk is cluttered or the shelves need dusting. I take a real pause and clean my space to help organize my thoughts and mind. The tidying motions act as a refreshing of my mind and a clean desk space welcomes work again. I wonder if you have noticed the same thing in your own work space. See if it helps the next time that you feel overwhelmed with all that is happening in your schedule or in your daily routine. Maintaining an inner calm for me is aided when I can clearly see over the surface of my desk. 

If you are starting to feel Festive already, I have a special December Flourishing Club class coming up! Stocking Stuffers will place an adorable little mouse into a Stocking setting. It will be a charming way to spend an afternoon with the beautiful community we have built at Ardington School. If you book your place today, you will be able to use a discount promotion that expires at the end of the day. (Nov.2 UK)

Our Flourishing Club community is a delight. I have been so inspired by the work of the students as we work on projects together. The slightest glimmer of inspiration these days can lead me down a path that may become the next flourishing club idea! Stocking Stuffers was built out a red stocking ornament I received as a child that was made of felt with a pom pom mouse emerging from the top. Ardington School will also host The Artful Flourish in January. As of this moment, it is not yet posted on their website, but you can ask to be included on a waiting list. The Artful Flourish is my most important Flourishing Class and will provide a foundation for you to build on. It is the workshop that introduced me as an instructor and in many ways, it helped me build all my other courses over the years. The foundational cartouche is explored in detail and this is the class that will help you understand what to see and how to develop flourishing skills. 

And looking ahead to January, I am offering Sweetie Birds for The Gentle Penman. I wanted to present a  lighthearted approach to adding sweet little birds into a simple drawn letter design. Although the subjects are highly stylized and filled with seasonal character, the skills that are featured will nourish your confidence. The designs are based on illuminated letter but created with a child like sense of appreciation for the bright and beautiful birds we encounter, even if they are just in our imagination. 

My hope is that these Sweetie Birds will charm you over the winter months and bring a smile to your face as you work on designs that are meant to fill you with delight as you polish up drawing and painting skills. 

Whatever is happening in your corner of the world, I want you to know that the work of your hands can bring so much joy. From a desk that needs another tidying here in my little studio here in Ontario, Canada, I will be cheering you on as you appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, take walks, rake up the falling leaves, tidy your workspace and pull out a fresh sheet of paper to bring something to life. Happy November dear friends.