#10: when the magnolias bloom
April is going to be a long month for me so I wanted to reach out before it properly begins. I've been trying to focus on the leisurely, tiptoed arrival of spring. I've consciously noticed the signs this year, from a few specks of buds dotted around to full blooming trees. My neighbourhood, along with its rows of Victorian terraced houses, has an abundance of lush, awe-inspiring magnolia trees.
Looking back at these photos, captured on my digicam, I’m still so floored by their vibrancy and richness. The buds remind of me of LED candles which is so endearing. I don’t have much of an inclination towards drawing flowers but I sketched them briefly to explore something outside my comfort zone.
magnolia sketch in blackwing 602
I'm eager for May to arrive, for a two week arts festival in my city and especially for art market season to begin. I tabled at two art markets last year, soon after moving here. It was my first experience and although it required a lot of work and preparation, I had the best time. It really helps to break out of the mundanity of the internet. Seeing people in person, their faces lighting up as they connect with your work is so gratifying. People who genuinely love art are so kind. I wrote down the comments I received, the conversations I had so that I don’t forget them. They are there for me to read on a bad day. I’m looking forward to many more markets this summer!
Things I’ve been loving recently:
binging through Rebecca Green’s patreon - she is so skilled, wise and generous with sharing her process. I’ve learnt so much and regret not signing up earlier
reading and rereading Just Let Them to help get through each day
the dhokra art exhibition at the South Asia Collection - this is something I’m definitely drawn to sketching and could dedicate an entire newsletter to
everything milk and cookieswrites, particularly this piece on soft ambition
Hannah Cao’s list of films that healed me. One of my new year resolutions was to watch more arthouse and coming of age films, this list is gold
rewatching Studio Ghibli favourites - Whisper of The Heart and Kiki’s Delivery Service
