Creating is supposed to be free and fun, but for the greater part of my life I simply judged most of what I made as "not good enough." Today I am excited to share about what has been essential in unlocking my creative flow, to the point where creating is now my favourite thing to do and explore each day, and is without doubt the most fulfilling and rewarding aspect of my life. Nature Inspires I t's not about copying nature, but about paying a very fond and enthusiastic tribute to what it offers me daily. Many years ago after a difficult experience, I reconnected to the natural world in a very powerful way as my primary source of healing. For the first time since childhood, I took the time to truly notice and observe, to really smell the enchanting smells and absorb the incredibly beautiful sights, everchanging and magical. I started spending a lot more time outside, and that is the first thing that unlocked my creativity. I remember being in awe of all the ordinary things...

In my creations, nature is what inspires me most: vast, wild scenes of dramatic hills or stormy seas, peaceful light over golden fields, continuous changes in the woods, miniature landscapes of moss and lichens on walls and fence posts. All seasons, all weathers are essential to me and recharge my creative batteries. In terms of personal behaviour, I find animals endlessly supportive, comforting and inspiring in their innocent simplicity and sweet perfection. One of my best friends forever is a stunning German Shepherd dog. When her big velvet head rests on my lap and her eyes look straight into mine, I immediately relax. The weight of that lovely head, the warmth of her body, the silkiness of the tiny hairs beneath her ears, her obsession with tennis balls and her selfless solicitude are genuinely healing, bringing comfort, lightness and amusement every time. I love how she can communicate without words. One day I was painting while Ginny was relaxing near me, and as usual when I am i...

  “Moonrise,” one of my many night-time paintings. I spent some time over the past months absorbed in creating a business to sell my creations. Setting up shop has been everything the grown-ups say it is, exhilarating, exhausting, maddening, confusing, isolating, rewarding, scary and overwhelming. Any functioning person who does this could be excused for cracking under the strain. Throw chronic illness into the mix and you have the perfect recipe for a spectacular nervous breakdown. “Winter Trees” was my exploration of negative space in painting. And yet, giving my focus to such a monumental task while trying to keep this carcass going has been a saving grace: absolutely everything I try to do or want to do in life reminds me of my limitations and disabilities, except for art. It's hugely liberating and confidence-building, therefore, to take baby steps towards building something that can support me in doing more of what I love, regardless of the countless challenges and setbacks. ...