Late Spring Inspiration

I live on an island situated off the southern coast of mainland Australia, our current season is Spring. The wheel of the year turns as it always has and my landscape is changing into the perfect Australian summer. The matrimonial flights of insects have begun to appear in the evening garden, a spectacle I look forward to every year. My imagination flies alongside my garden visitors and too many artistic ideas flood my brain at this time of year.

The promise of summer brings so many social gatherings, picnics, barbeques, parties and of course Christmas. I can't help but wake up with butterflies in my tummy about something exciting every day. I've left my Christmas shopping late this year but I started my Christmas crafting early so I consider myself on schedule for my own festivities this year. For me this is a particularly creative time of year, as a frugal Mumma when my children were young I was always cooking, crafting gifts and making magical moments for them on a very tight budget.

Being artistic did help me make gifts that were of a quality that didn't inspire disappointment thankfully. My own parents made wonderful handmade gifts for myself and my siblngs, they are such fond memories that I treasure more than any expensive gift I've ever received. The general atmosphere of the begining of summer in Australia is electric, the children are excited for Christmas holidays and of course Father Christmas, markets spring up and carolers appear reminding us that this season holds deeply felt spiritual roots to some of us. Seeing more folks out and about during the evening always inspires me to paint my region and the colours of the fashions worn.

This week I have nothing to do but play games (got a day dungeon planned for midweek) paint flowers, people and the Huon river. I intend to spend many hours sitting alfresco at a riverside pub watching and sketching my lovely community get about their business during this exciting change of season.

Loren xx