The above image is an extract from my sketchbook.  Though rough, I like it as a portrayal of internal growth.  Sometimes the most dramatic changes that we go through in life are not visible on the outside.  Our thinking changes, a layer comes off and yet from the outside we look just the same as we did yesterday.

I've shed many skins over the years.  Old ways of thinking that led to actions I'd probably not choose now.  It's hard not to look back over them and feel regret.  From where I stand now, all these layers down, the skins that I shed look like wasted years.  But regret isn't as hopeless as it feels, it could even be quite the opposite.  When we recognise what we could have done better, doesn't it show there has been growth?

As I look with despair at the skins I shed, I often wonder what God sees.  His thoughts are not my thoughts.  Could it be that he is more interested in what each falling layer reveals than the lifeless layers that have now passed?  I suspect that he looks deep, even under layers that haven't been removed yet and he delights in the unveiling and unveiled.  

He knew the end from the beginning and he knew the layers in between.  When I look in my sketchbook at this simple idea that is still in such raw stages of development, I am reminded...

I'm very excited to announce that one of my paintings has been longlisted for the Jackson's Open Painting Prize 2018!  Longlisted artworks are now open to public voting giving them the chance to win the People's Choice Award while judges work to draw up a shortlist.  I encourage you to check out the artworks which have made it this far and to vote for your favourite.  I hope you enjoy browsing through the entries and I'd like to give an extra special thanks to anyone who chooses to support my work in this way.   To vote, please click here.

The Painting that I submitted is titled Holy and was created as part of a series of works which explore aspects and qualities of the nature of God.  When I painted this particular piece I was contemplating God's holiness, purity and what it means that he is triune.  When considering these qualities we immediately become aware of how they contrast with the fallen world and our human nature. It would be easy to put distance between God and ourselves, for who is there like him? Holiness itself means 'set apart'. However, the gospel is that though God is holy and as humans we do fall short, he loves us unconditionally and longs to walk in relationship with us and this is made possible through Jesus. When creating this image which focuses on these attributes I felt it was important to do so in such a way that also expresses something of his closeness and warmth.

 In Holy, the colour white is symbolic of God's purity and holiness and the single piece of ribbon which has been gently rolled to form three fully connected sections is reminiscent of the trinity.  The hands holding the ribbon again echo the wholeness and unity of the trinity as they gently encapsulate the threefold ribbon.  I feel the hands also bring a sense of warmth to the overall image reminding us of God's loving nature as well as reminding us of his connection with humanity and his desire to walk in close relationship with us.

Thanks again to all who take time to cast a vote!

I have recently rediscovered my love of sewing with a sewing machine.  Due to the way some Cafe Bless International projects are developing, I have been lead to dust off my sewing machine and begin relearning how to use it all over again.  It has been years.  We will soon have a small base from which Cafe Bless will be able to run regular craft workshops and having a base of our own means we will be able to store and set up items for use that, up to this point, we haven't been able to.  The list could include items like sewing machines and an iron, meaning that we could increase the creative learning opportunities that we can offer as well as teaching larger projects.  It's a very exciting turn of events but in order to teach others how to confidently use a sewing machine, you have to be very confident using one yourself!

You may have noticed things have been a little quiet round this part of the internet recently...but I assure you I'm still here!  I'm just going to dive right on into the latest news...
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Recently I've been flitting between painting in the studio and creating a range of new handcrafts for Café Bless.  This week the crafts came in sewing form as you can see on the left.  I completed a flock of 10 birds, each unique in colour and style.  They are made of embroidered felt and make a cute addition to any space! You can hang them on doorhandles, noticeboards...in your car!  We'll be having a craft sale to raise funds for the work of Café Bless at the start of April and the birds will be there along with many other goodies.  Café Bless is a small charity that works around the world to improve conditions for people facing severe poverty...check out the website for the latest news and ideas on how you can support them too!

Lastly, I've also been doing a little bit of experimenting this week!  Aslongside making handcrafts to sell, another way I work alongside Café Bless is I keep a lookout for new craft skills that could be passed on to others as a way to help them create their own work and potentially provide people with an income.  I had great fun experimenting with paper clay at the weekend and thought it has real potential as a craft skill to teach others as not only can you mould it into a variety of items, the materials needed to make it are easy to source and it's actually a great way to recycle old paper!  It needs a little further investiagtion...but watch this space!