My last post looked at the ways landscapes had turned up in my art practice. Starting something new is always intimidating. Art by its nature can be unsettling. Some days are magic and you feel like you know exactly what you're doing, and the next it can feel like you forgot how to paint and everything you touch turns to ugly. The pull to keep exploring means you don't settle into any comfort zone for too long.

It means you are always operating on the edge of the unsure.

So winning not one, but two prizes for my landscapes in a week has almost blown my mind!

I have had a marvellous month submitting work to a number of art shows. It's been exciting creating pieces with a purpose. It's given me a chance to flex my muscles in this new direction.

"A small painting, strong through its nice atmosphere. With a hint of expressionism, this is so well done." - Judges notes

Getting the call that I had won something was the greatest validation that I was making some good choices. I knew I was excited about where this new direction was going and this has boosted my confidence and desire to make more.

The judges feedback have been especially rewarding as they reflect the intentions I've had as I explore this genre. I've been wanting to create work which is more than a representation of a place. Using the work I've explored with my abstracts, I've wanted to dig deeper into the feeling of a place, to create expressive work that connects to a place emotionally.

As we speak, I'm working on more pieces for more art shows due this week. I'll keep my News page updated and don't forget to sign up to the mailing list for updates of shows and new work available.