This is Just the Beginning
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"Blessed are the weird people – poets, misfits, writers, mystics, heretics, painters, troubadours – for they teach us to see the world through different eyes." - Jacob Nordby
Welcome to the first issue of Beautiful Things. I thought I would start with some background information on who I am.
Here is a picture of me at the beginning of this life’s journey...
I'm a member of that wonderful club called 'The Weird People'.
I spent my childhood not knowing what was real and what wasn't... Was it my imagination or could I really levitate six inches above the ground for quite long distances, and did I move that pencil with just the power of thought?
Now with my 'sensible' adult head on, I see this as nonsense, but I need to be that child again. To believe something enough, that it becomes my reality.
My head was certainly in the clouds for much of the time - and still is today. I was the quiet shy child in the primary school playground who looked down at his feet to see he had walked to school in his slippers!
At school my favourite lessons were art and mathematics. I was living in a world of my own. In this world, where the imagination ruled, anything was possible!
As a child I was passionate about drawing. Later in my early teens I also started to read all the time and to make my own board games. It got so bad that I would read a book at the same time as riding my bike to school (this is not recommended)!
Later I studied photography, art and printmaking at Chester Art College. My images are now a marriage of realism, imagination and mystery. I specialize in digital art, fine art photography, and mixed media work.
My inspiration for my art comes from nature, the landscape, the neo-romantic painters, poets, philosophers, mathematics, mystery, and the magic of life. I’m also fascinated with things from the past, things like old vintage photographs and prints. I love anything that is quirky and strange and is surrounded with mystery.
Two other joys are nature and walking. Nothing gives me greater enjoyment than trekking out into the great outdoors. And finally, I like ideas and thinking and seeing new things. As I travel along the path of life, I remain open and constantly curious…
Connect to Your True Self
My early art was detailed and representational, but as time went on it became more semi-abstract.
Here is an illustration I did many years ago using scraperboard...
And here is a more recent digital image...
Being creative can help you connect to your true self. What you have to do is decide what resonates with you and then share your vision of the world with other people.
I do believe there is no right or wrong way of doing things and this applies in life as well as in art. There are just different ways, and each individual has to decide what’s the best way for them.
For example, my passion is capturing the essence of nature and the landscape around me. I started my love affair with the landscape a long time ago as an artist. I mostly used mixed media, printmaking, and collage.
Nowadays the photographic image combined with digital art has become the vehicle to express my feelings about the natural world.
I’m enthralled with the power of nature and there are favourite places I love to visit again and again. It’s as if they call me back and I am now part of that place. I try to capture this in the images I take.
I want to evoke the feelings of being there; so when someone views my images, they can almost touch the trees, smell the damp earth, hear the birds sing, or feel the sea breeze in their hair. My aim is to capture a moment and transport the viewer to the place captured in the image.
I believe no one sees the world in exactly the same way, but we all walk a similar path and I hope to show the general sense of beauty and connection to nature that affects us all.
I try to evoke a sense of mystery... The image will say different things to different people; some of the themes may evoke a sense of loneliness, apprehension, and depression. Others may see happiness, hope, and love.
So my passion is landscapes, but your passion maybe something else. It doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about or what sparks your imagination, just go out and immerse yourself in that world.
Find your own unique style. And you will connect with who you really are.
Remember, it’s all a magical journey of discovery.
The Art of Divination
What the cards say this week...
Four of Cups: Pause and take the time to connect with your dreams. Are you dreaming of greener pastures? Are you feeling stuck in a rut? You may just need some time out by yourself. In our busy lives, sitting, perhaps even feeling glum is often seen as wasted productive time. But if it helps us to appreciate what is good in life, it is time well spent.
Four of Pentacles: We all seek a sense of security and comfort sometimes. If you have lived with upheaval, uncertainty and chaos then this is a much welcomed card of stability.
Look at where the Pentacles are placed; Upon his crown, his heart (and throat) chakra and the soles of his feet. This represents where we connect to the divine, to others and to the earth.
Nine of Wands: This is a card of healing (mind, body or spirit). You need to release negative thought patterns from the past that are restricting you.
Think of the Wands as comforting, supporting, and energising. You have allowed your wounds to show and are now accepting help and playing an active part in healing yourself. A beautiful and powerful image.
It's calling you to take a rest and to take time to seek balance in your life. Healthy diet, exercise, good sleep and relaxation…
Love to all the weird people out there,
