Sometimes an idea will brew in my head for years before it takes shape in reality.

Thinking about Matisse's paper cuts I cut out a series of stylised leaf shapes in brightly coloured papers, and began playing around with arrangements on old envelopes.

 Working on these has sparked off a further idea to produce 'paintings' using paper cutting and collaging, but maybe this idea will germinate in my head for another few years before it becomes a reality, who knows......

Have you been having a creative January so far?

 I took a drive down to St. Ives today to visit my framer, Dean. There was reasonably good surf, and the sea looked just beautiful.

 St. Ives is full of tiny stone cottages and narrow alleyways....

 and around every corner is the sea.

 I stood and watched mesmerised as each wave surged around the rocks, leaving a backwash of foamy swirls.

Clusters of tiny baby mussels!

 Mussels are just one variety of shell that make their way into my collages.

 A couple of new winter wreaths - they don't have to be just for Christmas do they!

Happy New Year

 After going down with a cold last weekend it was so lovely to gather today at my parents' house with my brother and his family before they return to Somerset, and just enjoy being together. 

 A day of playing games and laughing, and a last opportunity to light the candles on the Christmas Tree and sing some carols before the decorations come down.

It's a beautiful moonlit night; on the drive home wisps of vapour hang above the road. I stand in my garden staring up at the myriad of stars in the black velvety darkness and the sound of waves is carried across the fields so clearly, it's as if I am standing on the shore itself. 

Peace, Love, Joy.

X