Art Play

Being creative in other outlets outside of writing is a vital part of my own creative writing process.

Taking time to make something with my own hands gives me thinking time, solves problems and begets more creativity. At the moment I am exploring several forms of art, but I have from one time to another also included handcrafts like knitting, or even making up lego projects as ways to rest from yet inspire my writing.

Creating with our hands and minds has become a primary selfcare choice in these times. Playing with colour, texture, media and making a mess…what could be wrong with that?

Making Art

I jump around into art making themes, happy to allow my passion to take me on small explorations and journeys. Most of the art forms I do take-to end up combining into mixed media forms. Some are big, most are small, and here, some of this play is shared for you.

INCLUDING:

  • Watercolour and ink, acrylics and combinations

  • Mixed media and art journaling

  • Urban sketching and pencil work.

  • Watercolour, Gurneys Fish Shop, Burnham Market, UK

    Gurneys Fish Shop, Burnham Market, UK

    Watercolour Sketch 30/7/25
    Based on several photos.
    Details

  • Junk Jar Journal

    This is a group project, a round robin that is posting its way around Australia as we speak. Mixed Media.

Influences

Below are my influences - either influencer artists I have taken courses, read books or watched youtubes from; or other influences and resources which feature often in my own art.

Mixed Media Fun

Art Challenges

Some of My Favourite One Month prompted Challenges with Creature / Mythology Themes -

  • Mermay (Mermaids in May) #mermay

  • Creatuanary (Creatures in January) #creatuanary

  • Smaugust (Dragons in August) - there are various artists who do this, but this link goes to Katy Lipscomb who does dragons all the time. #smaugust

Influences Generally

  • nature & colours

  • the Pacific Ocean

  • my writing research and ideas

  • where I have lived: New Zealand, Great Britain & Australia

  • mythology

Resources

  • Google Maps (Street View) and Mapcrunch for sketch artists

  • Copyright Free Reference Photos: Pexels or Unsplash

  • Books and Magazine Images - these are often copyrighted but can be used for personal use for your art.

  • Pinterest - to search and gather reference and inspiration images

  • Shopkeepers - yes, they share shopfronts.

  • Urbansketchers - an international group

Local (Australian) Art Journaling Favs

These supply fantastic classes online and in-person.

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