"Our climate is shifting beneath our feet—and with it, the maps of what thrives where. Plants once considered tender Southern specialties are pushing further North, while heat stress and changing rainfall patterns mean some classic Southern cottage garden favourites are beginning to struggle. As artist-gardens adapt across the UK, our palette of flora is quietly rewriting itself."
Many of you have noticed the soft French titles on some of my botanical paintings — and I’ve had so many lovely questions about them. It’s a story rooted in deep admiration for one very special artist, and I’m so happy to share it with you.
Start by sketching what you SEE not what you THINK you see, even how you THINK a leaf shape should look like. I grapple with this one still. Learning to trust the sketching process rather than what i assume I should be drawing - maybe you are better than me at this!
Transforming a small space in your home for a dedicated art studio does not have to cost much and you can usually just use or utilise differently some things you already have around your home. This post is written by me, an artist on a budget!
Grab a nice cup of tea, a notepad, and settle in. Although this is a comprehensive guide, take all the time you need—after all, having fun is what producing art is all about!
Tiny art has an addictive way of pulling you in. There is something quite irresistible about an entire creative world packed into a card-sized surface, where every brushstroke or pencil line feels intentional and precious. That appeal is fuelling a wonderful, second-time-around craze for miniature art, as artists and collectors alike rediscover the simple charm of making and owning work that fits right in the palm of your hand.
Nature’s Daily Reminder - Life here can get so wonderfully busy, but I always find that having a few houseplants around is the gentlest way to stay tethered to the rhythms of the natural world. Just the sight of my houseplants, carefully chosen to suit the needs of each plant in the room they will live, make me smile. They have this lovely little way of inviting us to just pause, notice the tiniest unfurling leaf, and appreciate how quietly growth happens. Even on my most rushed days, or my poor health days, they're my little green anchors, gently reminding me that the best things take time.
Your creativity hasn't gone anywhere, I promise—it's just sitting quietly, patiently waiting for you to make the first move. The moment you make that tiny, imperfect mark, the instinctive, playful part of your mind wakes right up from its nap.
Sarah Goughs Blog Post called Sketching Fuchsias: My Quiet Little Garden Ritual. Written softly, from my garden seat.
Colour is more than decoration; it’s dialogue. It speaks to the viewer’s senses, shaping how they feel before they even realise it. Whether you paint intuitively or plan with precision, the magic lies in listening — letting colour tell its story through you.
