Happy beginnings.

I love beginnings. It's the beginning of a new year and I love the feeling of starting afresh and the opportunity for change that each new year brings. It was also my birthday last week and it was lovely to celebrate the threshold into another year.

This year I would like to build on all that I started last year with my business and I would like to delve further into creativity; to find joy in the simplest creative activity.

To that end, I've started a new way of journaling, one that is super simple and feels sustainable. I've been really inspired by Ali Brown and her style of journaling and the joy that she releases through her process.

So each day I sit at my desk and do a really simple watercolour. It doesn't have to be anything specific, just the simple application of paint, water and colour to the page, and when this has dried, I journal next to it or over it.

I'm really enjoying doing this and it means that there's no pressure to be perfect and I don't get overly attached to any picture. This simple practice, albeit only a week in, has been so good for my soul. I feel awake, inspired and I'm practising a new kindness and grace with my art and my ability (or non ability) as the case may be. For this process, I'm using a simple A5 insert which fits into my travellers notebook. It's an A5 sketchbook and I collaged the cover. The paper inside is sturdy enough to take watercolour or collage, and the pages are blank so I can, write, draw or whatever.

I'm aiming to have one insert per month. 

This is January's insert.

I also made a small art insert for my A5 traveler's notebook. It's made with thick watercolour paper which I stitched together into a booklet. I love the simplicity of it and how non pressured it feels to make art in it because its just a small insert, rather than a full blown art journal.

My focus this month is on flowers.

I've also been art journaling. 

After the holidays, I felt very unmotivated to create and didn't have much focus. So just before New Year's I started painting in my art journal to try to get my head in gear and my heart in a good place. It's working and I will continue with this practice regularly.

So here's to the year ahead. To practising kindness towards ourselves and our creativity.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and the very and most wonderful best for 2018.

Much love.

xxx