Kew, and Following your heART - some new work

I had a great day out with my sister and cousin yesterday and we spent the day at Kew Gardens. 

We had been blessed with tickets by Cooltan Arts - A mental health and arts charity, who were able to bring a number of people together to enjoy the day as well.  They do really great work and I recommend that you check out their website.

I love going to Kew Gardens, there is such a peace about the place and the displays are great, and you could definitely spend the whole day there!.  I always bring my camera and end up with some beautiful images of some of the flowers on display.  

Yesterday was no exception we strolled around and there was much sharing, laughter, reflection as it had been a while since we had spent time together in a relaxing environment, the sun was warm and there was a gentle breeze so walking around was a pleasant experience.

We all agreed that spending time in a relaxing environment was an important part of impacting on mental health and well-being.  I have also been busy in the studio, which is a necessary part of my day, experimenting with techniques which I will share over time.
  

From time to time I share work here and on my Mixed media art site, so you have a choice of places to go.  Going to Kew gardens and spending time in a natural environment reminds me to pay attention, not only to my surroundings but to my choices. It is important to spend time reflecting each day.

I feel that immersing myself in my work and continuing to develop and hone my style is important, I love being creative, and trying new things, seeing how different materials work together, and seeing the fruits of my effort. Find out what sparks your creative juices and do more of it.

So, I will continue to follow my heART and paint, draw, sew, craft and keep on doing work that makes my heart sing, what will you be getting up to? 

Space - Creating in Faith

When I look at the valley, mountain, forests and see I know there is a God.  I don't have any of these environments near my how, we have a small local park and an open space that you can take a stroll round, and almost pretend if your close your eyes real tight that you are in a tropical type location. 

Kew Gardens - view from the treetop walk!

If you jump in your car you can come across much more open space and with a small fee you can share the experience and some is wild and others carefully tended.  As kids we were use to having access to open space, much over the years have been turned into luxury apartments!

Away on holiday, making the most of the outdoors!

One of the things we really appreciate when we go away on holiday is how much space people have, not only in the homes but outside space as well.  We make more of the space and venture out daily exploring our surroundings.  Is this purely because we are away and the cares of our daily lives have been dis-guarded as we locked up house and got in the taxi to the airport?

My sister-in-laws' back garden

Personal space

Does anyone else find that as they get older they desire to have some space from themselves - just to get time to think? I catch myself sometimes - as I tell my son to stop making so much noise wondering when my ears became so sensitive to this beating his hands on the table an unknown rhythm and expression of his creativity. Seemingly sounding like my mother did I understand and really 'get' now in my adult years what they were talking about.

Tired what can be construed as clutter I seek solace in a minimalist environment with the sound of the waves lashing in the background the fresh breeze dancing across my face.

What does the idea of space hold in your mind, how can you create more of it in your environment?

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,    which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.  Psalm 1:3

Visit to Kew Gardens

Went on a trip to Kew Gardens recently for my birthday, we were blessed with a hot and sunny day, with a cool breeze attached. It’s a place that I always wanted to visit, but for some reason known only to the dark corners of my mind I chose not to, giving up some reason that doesn’t make sense.

Anyway, my son agreed to come along with me, which was a shock and I waited as we walked through the grounds for him to tell me how bored he was and when were we going to leave..... He is at the age where going out with your parents for some reason isn’t ‘cool’ ‘Do you have to laugh so loud he pleads on occasion with me?’, there is an increased list of things parents do that embarrass them.

Sekani laughed at me as I went from plant to plant, showing my excitement, it was equally as enjoyable having him accompany me, and I threw smug glances at other adults who would look at him. He allowed his interest to remain throughout the long walks, my photograph taking and excitement at the close up pictures I was getting, I was proud to have him on the trip.

We went on the Xstrata Treetops Walkway the view from the tree top walks were amazing and looking down through the grating extremely scary, but if you don’t look down it’s fine we got an amazing view of the grounds.

We also visited the Palm House – and saw all the tropical plants, Princess of Wales Conservatory which had a variety of plants, the Japanese Gateway and Pagoda.

 

 

There were not as many flowers as I had expected, probably due to the season, but it was still a feast for the eyes and the rose garden and palm house held some delightful blooms. 

We stopped off for a snack, recharging our batteries and off we went again, there were some things that I thought could have been better thought out, like signage around the grounds, and the Marine life seemed a bit sad and poorly maintained.

There was so much to see, in the 4 hours we had (it closed at 6pm) we still only saw a fraction.  I think you need a whole day to get round everything and have the necessary stops in between.  All in all an enjoyable trip was had by all, and I would definitely go again. 

This is him at the end of the day all walked out just before the the park closed at 6pm.

If you have not yet been you should definitely put this on your ‘to do’ list.  If you have been what was your favourite part?