Thank Goodness for Spring
|
| Header |  |
 |
 |
|---|
 Image: still from The Fox House Garden by Noah Carter Dear Visitor Firstly, thank you so much to everyone for all the positive and supportive emails this past couple of weeks. The Seawhite Studio maybe empty at present but all the shared inspiration that has taken place within its walls seems to be reverberating out into your own spaces. You are all amazing. We have loved all the photos of what you are doing in your studios, the words of wisdom and creative ideas. Keep them coming. Never one to sit around twiddling my thumbs I have been busy thinking of ways to inspire and continue working for you, and with you. There will be short films coming out soon. These are little demos of painting and drawing. Noah Carter and I have also started the process of making a couple of online courses too. We will keep you up to date about when these will be available but Noah has created little trailer for us which you can watch by clicking on the image below.  |
||
|
Floribunda I have officially cancelled this year’s Floribunda courses. We are all very disappointed and my garden is bulging with all the plants I have grown especially for it. However, this is not a problem, merely a new opportunity. So I have decided that I am going to set up the course in my studio at home and run it as though it was happening. I will make short video clips and take photos and send them out to the students and via social media. I see no reason why we can't all celebrate and paint Spring flowers together, in our own spaces, and then share all the paintings that are created.  Images from the 2019 Floribunda courses |
||
In Conversation with Simon Carter Image: Through the Doorway by Simon Carter There is more time to talk, think and be in touch with people that matter. Sometimes we talk about everyday things, sharing photos of our latest healthy, culinary inventions but also we talk about what is happening in our studios, how we are tackling this precious time to work and use the time fruitfully. Simon sent me a lovely email yesterday about what he is up to in his studio and it prompted me to remember what I love most about the creative process. Simon: "I’m taking this strange opportunity to just be in the studio and to think about painting, and I am going back to some of the work from the last 2 years, those that I still have little niggling doubts about, and being brave (reckless) and beginning to re-work them". Emily: "I love that you are being risky and revisiting old work in your studio. I still have Katie's voice ringing in my ears from the Moving Figure course we did with some students a few weeks back. "What do you dare to do?" They had been experimenting wildly, playing, expanding, changing work, collaborating and having no expected outcomes for the first two days of the course. They had loved the experience, and a lot of the work produced. The final day of the course was one where they could consolidate, revisit and play further. However, during our morning crit and briefing we all recognized the likelihood of returning to the habitual, familiar and more conventional ways of working. So Katie dared them to continuing playing and to even crank it up a notch, step up to the next level. Dare to dare! On our own in the studio this feels hard to do without that group energy and momentum, but this is where the good stuff comes from. Have fun." Simon: "'What do you dare to do' is going to be my studio motto this week.” |
||
|
A Walk in my Mum's Garden Part of my new routine is to ring my wonderful Mum before breakfast every day. We talk about our plan for the day and what feels important. She is so wise and says very poignant things. It helps us both in these strange times. This time last year Noah Carter made a very special film about my Mum and her garden. We made it just for our family to treasure. In my conversation with Mum yesterday it struck me how that film might be a good thing to share with many more people. She has kindly given her permission to share it now. I hope you enjoy it. A few moments of peace and contemplation - click on the image below to see the film on our YouTube channel.  |
||
|
Blossom and Birdsong My big Magnolia tree is a dream. I sit outside and have my lunch on the bench by the front door looking up into the blossom and deep blue sky. It has been hit hard by the frost though, so there will be a carpet of pink and brown petals as well today. I also now go for a 6.30 am walk before rest of the world gets up. The bird song is extraordinary. It seems louder, more clear and shrill. It cuts through the cold air and lift the spirits. What a beautiful and welcome distraction Spring is.  |
||
|
|
||
| www.emilyballatseawhite.co.uk | contact | | ||
|
|
||
