April Notes

Hello, hello,

The end of April is upon us and it’s still bitterly cold.

To be honest, I feel like I’ve been moving through a fog with the days primarily being overcast, rainy and dare I say - with flurries. That green energy that tends to pay us a much needed visit in early Spring, is delayed somewhere…

The fae are currently out in the garden to keep watch, waiting for the lush green to hide them. We’re on the brink (surely, right?), but first it needs to be above 0 at night. Until then, they will be vigilant in the garden and we will be waiting for the sun and revitalizing energy.

What better excuse than a rainy, cold day to tuck yourself away indoors and pull the thread of your creativity. Stormy skies make it all the better (and knowing that before long, we’ll switch sitting by the wood-stove with the sea).

So, I’ve been closed up in my studio (closet), painting. Mainly, watercolour sketches for small studies before committing oil to canvas.

The first obstacle to getting locked away with that thread is:

Conquering the gnawing monster of self criticism.

One of the main tasks I set out for myself in 2026 was to start painting the way I knit - without fear of judgement and consistently.

Creating art can bring out a critical monster - as soon as a line can seem off or the colours wrong, defeat can wedge into your mind, transforming a beautiful and meditative art-form into doubt and frustration.

What purpose does this way of thinking even serve?

I know this has been a topic I’ve been circling around in this space and that is because it’s something I’m actively working through.

Making art is fun and good for your mental health. That should be enough to do it! Who (really) says it needs to look a certain way or be a certain way? Especially when YOU are the only one judging it while you’re engaged in the process. I don’t cross out journal entries for my writing, so why do I apply such a high expectation on art?

If you’re just creating art from your heart… that is enough. You’ll reach someone in this big wide world, or maybe it is just for you in your own private space. Both are valid and worth pursuing.

And so… working through these challenges, I chose Icelandic landscapes (no real surprise there). Black volcanic rock, rhyolite mountains and an ever changing sky. Moody and alive. And suddenly, sitting at my easel with my giant headphones playing an audiobook something is starting to click… I feel like I’m slowly uncovering this piece of me that was just waiting patiently to be let out.

Paintings that are beginning to flow and real happiness stemming from being in this state. Instead of critics, it turns into “keep going, each piece works upon the previous and your unique style is what matters.”

This has been helpful. All while the earth seemingly still sleeps.

• The second Boreal sweater is in the works (knit from an old lopi sweater that was not being used). Knitting takes a back seat when the days are getting longer, so all in good time.

• I’m painting all the kitchen cupboards sage green… and properly this time with primer. Perhaps a little house tour is in order since we’re searching out house plans now for the next chapter. Life moves so quickly…

• The patchwork blanket is still being knit - this is the first square that is venturing into colour and the 9th (or is it 10th…) block.

• I’ll update here when these most recent paintings are available in the shop. They are all oil paintings and on small canvas (the round canvas are especially cute and make unique pieces).

• When this goes out, I’ll be up in Cape Breton for a quick weekend road trip to visit friends and go hiking (despite the flurries in the forecast!).

  Until the resident Fae starts waking up more plants, take care of yourself and I shall write to you again, xo

  

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