Creative Projects of 2023... and beyond?

Haha, okay... I'm gonna level with you - uhh... Actually, first of all, I think I should talk about some 'in-the-scheme-of-things, minor' issues that I'm sure everyone living with (or at least close to) family, will be able to relate to...

I, personally, struggle with mental health and the lower motivation-levels that often accompany those struggles; so when I actually have the motivation, physical & mental energy, and time to do a task or project, I can usually get quite far through said task and therefore reduce the ever-growing number of things on my "To-Do" list... However, and here is the hopefully-relatable part, most of those times when I am in a somewhat-productive state of mind, other people - namely family members - reveal tasks that require my immediate attention so that they can get on with their day(s); leaving them with completed tasks and me with little to no productive energy remaining for my tasks. Anyone relating yet? Also I'm an introvert who requires time alone to recharge, even if family-members are the only people around me, and call me unsociable for trying to take an evening for myself to recharge.

So, I guess now might be a good time to reveal that I have ALMOST finished the "Braemar" painting that, in January 2023, I had hoped I would finish by the end of February. Needless to say the 3 other paintings I had hoped to complete for my "collection" haven't even been started yet. 

Braemar Painting, in progress
Title TBD

I do, however, have the reference images for the 2 commissioned paintings and the canvases have been agreed on, so I can start those when I'm ready - it's a step in the right direction, I suppose. Update: I have the drawing part of the first painting done and approved, so next is the colour stage/phase - getting there!

I have also done the illustrations for another poem and the cover, for the second book of poetry - only 8 more poems to illustrate (or 7 1/3, as I have drawn 2/3 panels for one of the other poems - little victories, right?) Update: I have drawn and coloured all 3 panels, so they just need possible details then fine-lined, before scanning in to the computer to overlay the text and send off for approval. So far, I've been referring to the book as "Reflections of the Heart 2" (RotH2) but we'll have to wait and see if that title sticks.

Illustration for
"Walking the Labyrinth"

 

RotH2 Cover Illustration

This past year (2023), I was also commissioned to make several items of jewellery - which was nice for me, to be able to create something like that for a change - as well as a few jewellery repairs, where a necklace needed re-threaded, for example.

A few projects that I did manage to do, for myself, include a fold-away table (made using two thin-ish pallet frames, some spare wood planks, and old fire-guard grills) for my bottle-lined polytunnel - side note: I'm really into upcycling!; and some shell decorations for my summer version of an "Easter-tree". 

I've also been enjoying baking a variety of bread-type items such as cinnamon rolls, hot-crossed- & not-crossed- buns, and various breads and rolls. I also discovered a recipe for "Condensed-milk Snowball cookies" which I tweaked a little and, honestly, they are happiness in biscuit form - sweet, moist, fluffy... haha my mouth is watering just trying to describe them and I'll need to make them or I won't be able to think of anything else until I do - but basically super delicious and super easy to make! 

Another project I was involved with again this year was the "Caddonfoot Parish Church & Community Calendar", which had me compiling, selecting, editing (a little) and inserting photographs, pre-printing; and then physically checking, sorting, counting and packaging the printed Calendars, ready for distribution - which I also helped with. An overall exhausting process but it does mean that around 900 households see some of my photographs, every year. However, 2023 may have been the last year we produce a Calendar on such a large scale, as Caddonfoot Parish Church may be closing in 2024.

I'm sure previous readers will be aware that I also do illustrations for both the Church/Parish Christmas card and the 'cover' of our annual family-newsletter, which are each challenging and fun in their own ways. I was also commissioned to create a "festive turtle" postcard and a winter version of one of the commissioned paintings for a Christmas greetings card.

2023 was the 4th year that I've been creating Bullet Journal spreads for myself, which was a great creative outlet and started as a great way to keep myself organised, but with more and more creative (and non-creative) projects needing my attention, I only managed to get a few ready to use on time and have decided to take a break from journaling to try to get other projects off my to-do lists. Here are some of my favourite spreads from 2023:

This coming year (2024), I will be working on the 2 commissioned paintings, more RotH2 illustrations, as well as hopefully finishing the Braemar painting for my collection and, who knows, maybe I'll even finally get a website set up! I would also love to update this blog more regularly - I might start with monthly updates and see how long I manage to stick to that. 

I had a "paper-making" session with my mum and sisters as part of my birthday celebrations this year (mid-January) and it was fun to share the experience with them.

I also joined the Galashiels Studio Club at the beginning of January and attend their weekly meetings on Thursdays from 19:15 (19:30 start) to around 21:00, which so far have been very interesting and enjoyable to be part of. I think it's great being able to hear from local artists about their styles and processes. I would highly recommend any locals (within travelling distance of Galashiels) come along.

If you have any questions or comments about my 2023/24 projects, please leave a comment below and I will do my best to respond asap...