The week I got art!

Judging by the look on Paul's face, I might need to give my art another week or two before I decide to give up the day job. Anyway, pull up a chair, the kettle is on, and I've plenty to talk about.

Despite another wet few weeks, the fading autumn colours still provide a calming backdrop for the evening walks.

As I write, I’m looking out through my study window at the bare branches of the rose bush and the acer, each holding a few glistening raindrops. They sit there like small jewels, unhurried. The sky is a soft, even grey. Not the wild temper of a storm, more a quiet invitation to stay indoors and slow the day a little.

This is me trying to look for the beauty in the endless Argyll rain. I’d be fine if it wasn’t for the dog walks. It seems that rain doesn’t bother Logie. In fact, it seems to energise him and pique his curiosity in what I can only assume is a livening of all the olfactory delights the world offers when it has been gently disturbed by rainfall.

Not wishing to labour weather talk, one final remark on the rain is that I am overjoyed our new conservatory roof hasn’t lost that rainy cosiness. I was worried that losing a significant surface area of glass might mean losing that sound I find so soothing (when I don’t need to leave the house). I would, however, be open to a few dry days, even a frost. I’ll leave that there, in case anyone with any influence over such matters happens to be a subscriber.

It has been another busy week with lots going on. We had the most perfect, restful Sunday last week as we spent the day with friends, heading to one of our favourite pubs for a delicious Sunday lunch. The pub is nestled in a picturesque village and is decorated in cocooning deep colours and rich wood panelling, which makes it instantly cosy and comforting. As you look through the sash windows, you see snippets of the distinctive Argyll landscape, which always fills my heart with joy. The service is wonderful. You feel like you’re popping around to a friend’s home. The food is always delicious, and it was all made even better by the lovely company.

Sundays done right. With possibly the best apple crumble I ever did taste. And with the winning combination of custard *and* ice cream.

Mondays are not my favourite days. I know many people see them as a fresh start, a new week full of possibility. For me, they’re often the full stop at the end of a joyful weekend. Paul leaves for his overnight. At this time of year, we play bowls on a Monday evening, something I enjoy for the company, although it can be difficult to leave the house at 8pm when it is dark, cold and rainy. Once I’m there, I have a nice time. It just feels like I have done a few days’ work by the time Tuesday arrives!

Then, before you know it, once again it is the weekend. Yesterday we managed to time our dog walk with a break in the rain. Something that very rarely happens. The colours were breathtaking, and it was one of those moments that makes me revert to being a tourist, taking pictures endlessly.

Never waste a blue sky in Argyll!

The Little Art School

For anyone who has been following along on Instagram this week, you’ll know that I have finally opened my Little Art School introductory course box. The wonderful Joanne got in touch with me after seeing me mention that I wanted to begin painting. Embarrassingly, this was so long ago. I have lots of excuses for the delay. I know I take an awful lot on, the perils of being a Yes Person, although it is funny what confidence can do. Or a lack of it. And I think this was the real reason I couldn’t bring myself to try. What if I couldn’t do it, but I’d been so excited to start?

Painting isn’t new to me. My grandma is a wonderful painter, having worked in a mix of mediums including watercolour, oil and acrylic. When we were young, visits were always full of creativity and mess. As I grew up, the love for it never went away, although after finishing my A levels, where I earned good grades in both art and graphic design, I was told there was little point continuing because it would lead nowhere for me. I see little point in regret because it changes nothing. If I’d known at 17 what I know at 38, living in 2025, I’d have said “do the art.”

Of course, the choices I have made have led me to where I am now. A lovely life in the Highlands with Paul and the boys. So it’s all worked out well. The fact that art is now back in my life is just a real bonus. When I was talking to Joanne about this, she told me about the Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.” Even if the ideal time has passed, the second-best time to act on future goals is always the present.

In a way that other hobbies, such as reading, don’t fully allow me to switch off, my mind still wanders to the event I have coming up this week at work or have I done everything I should for X, Y or Z? The house jobs that need doing. The upcoming bills that need paying. And so on. I have found that doing even these two introductory lessons has made me put my phone down. The thoughts of what might be lurking in my inbox vanish and I’m focused, lost, transported even, into this other world.

Joanne and I had a chat on Thursday evening, and you can catch it on my Instagram page if you missed it. I can’t watch it back because the self-loathing of seeing and hearing myself is too much, but it’s there. Ignore the first few minutes when technology was winning its battle to make me look totally incompetent (spoiler alert: I won in the end). If you’re interested, take a listen because Joanne talks about the course, the charity and the benefits far more eloquently than I ever could.

What I do want to say to you is this: the course is designed for anyone and everyone. I was blown away by how the process takes you right back to basics, even helping you understand how to hold the pencil properly for sketching. I will not hear you say, “I still couldn’t do it.” If you want to, and that really is the key, then go for it. If it isn’t great but you enjoy yourself, that’s okay. Joanne’s comment in the course about how your sketchbook is your own private space really struck me. No one needs to see it.

And remember – you can learn art. Like you wouldn’t jump into a car without any practice and drive well, or sit at a piano and be able to play a complex piece. Joanne – and many other of my lovely followers have said this too – that often art can be considered as something you inherently can or can’t do. But this is a myth. Listen in for all the other benefits Joanne talks about. It might be the thing you need right now to give yourself a moment of peace, or it might be something a friend or family member needs.

If you do have any questions, drop them into the comments, and if I can’t answer, I’ll ask Joanne. It goes without saying that whether you like it or not, I will be spamming you consistently with my art projects from here on in.

Making time for art - just not the time Logie wants his supper!

November’s intentions

Last month I set myself some intentions. Things I hoped to achieve outside the usual demands and requirements of everyday life. They were not intended as a ‘performance indicator’, rather a way of reminding myself what I would really like to spend my time doing. Here are November’s. We now have a DIY amnesty for the remainder of 2025. I’m not entirely sure that’s the correct word, although you get my thinking. Despite itching to remove a bank of cupboards in the kitchen to make room for a beautiful dresser, remove hideously nineties en suite tiles to have a go at panelling, and tear down ceilings to bring back charm and character, all these mess making endeavours will be 2026’s problem. For the remainder of the winter, in between our day jobs, community commitments, carpet bowls and so on, we are embracing nature’s behaviour. We are going to slow down and recharge, ready to go all sledgehammers blazing next year. So, here we go:

• For at least twenty minutes each day, sketch or paint.

• For half an hour in the morning, after the boys are fed, sit with a coffee and my book without my phone in the room.

• Do not buy or cook a ready meal. Sit with my cookbooks, find inspiration and cook from scratch, even if it is a simple tray bake.

• Light candles at dinner. Every meal counts.

• No more needless spending. I have more than enough (wine is considered an essential item, FYI).

I think I set myself up to fail a little last month, and although I surprised myself with how much I achieved, my aching body is relishing the idea of a steadier few weeks ahead.

Recommendations

I have been flitting around between various tasks and have had very little time for reading. I have revisited an old podcast and realised I had missed so many episodes, and I think many of you will appreciate it. If you are a Keeping Up Appearances fan, I can wholeheartedly recommend Keeping Up Appearances: The Luxury Podcast.

If anyone has any nice, wholesome podcast recommendations, please let me know. Or any go to suppers in your repertoire that might inspire me.

As always, thank you for reading, sharing your stories and your very generous comments. It is so appreciated.

For now, whatever your plans may be, have a nice Sunday.
G xx