Things I’ve Noticed…
For a long time, I called this journal Studio Notes — a place to share glimpses into my painting process and the stories behind my work.
Over time, I realised that the beginnings of my paintings often happen long before I enter the studio. They begin with noticing: a shift in light, the colour of a field, the sound of birdsong, the texture of a hedgerow, or a fleeting moment in the landscape.
This is a place to gather those observations — the small things that catch my attention and, sometimes, find their way into a painting.
Amateur or Professional? The Question That Got Me Thinking
I’ve been using these last few months to slow down, to experiment, to research - yes, how lucky am I that I can do that!!. And somewhere in that mix of reading and reflecting, I stumbled upon an article titled “Amateur vs Professional Artist: 7 Questions To Ask Yourself.”
Well, curiosity got the better of me, and I started reading.
Right there in the opening paragraph, I saw myself. I’ve been painting for a fair few years now, taken part in group shows and art fairs, even sold a number of pieces (which still feels slightly miraculous every time!). But does that make me a professional artist?