Hello sweet friend,

Today is finally, refreshingly cloudy. Still very warm and dry, and you might have heard about the huge fires further south in France at the moment. Despite it being the summer holidays, I think many of us are longing for the rain. Which is probably why I want to share my two newest paintings with you today!

Not long ago, after weeks of a long and intense heat wave, the weather forecast finally promised some thunderstorms. Every morning, I looked at the app on my phone with hope. Every afternoon, I found myself glancing out of the window, hoping the dark clouds would finally arrive.

When a storm approaches and most people head for shelter, I rush to the garden.

When I hear the first rumble of thunder, something in me comes alive.

I love stepping outside as the first big drops begin to fall. The air changes. The earth breathes. After days of intense summer heat, the rain brings a feeling of relief, gratitude and renewal.

Perhaps that's why the titles of my two newest paintings felt so right...

After the Storm

When I finish a painting, I rarely know what it's called.

Instead, I let it rest in the studio for a few days. I look at it as I walk past, live with it for a while, and sooner or later the title appears. It feels less like choosing a name and more like welcoming one.

I painted these two new pieces at the retreat I attended in Scotland last month. The whole week felt like a breath of fresh air, and the cool Scottish weather was both a relief and an inspiration, shifting between moody skies and beautiful light.

Back home, the first painting became "After the Storm".

As I looked at it, I was drawn to the contrast between the deep purple sky and the light beginning to return. The flowers had weathered the storm. They were still standing, refreshed by the rain as the clouds slowly drifted away. It reminded me that light and shadow belong together. We can't appreciate one without the other.

"After the Storm", mixed media painting on paper:

After the Rain

The second painting became "After the Rain".

This one has a different feeling altogether. The flowers are opening toward the light, and a dragonfly has settled among them. For me, dragonflies have always symbolized transformation, hope, and new beginnings. After the rain, the garden begins to bloom again. Everything feels fresh with possibility, and it feels like an invitation to dream again.

People often ask me if I know where a painting is going before I begin.

The answer is almost always no. When I sit down at my art table, I simply begin. One layer leads to another. I follow colors, textures, marks and intuition rather than a fixed plan.

As my mind grows quieter, something else takes over...

A special invitation

As I continue celebrating my 10th anniversary as a teacher, I'd love to invite you to celebrate with me in another special way!

On Sunday, August 16th, I'll be taking part in the August Summer Show, an online art auction hosted by my friend and fellow artist Stephanie Gagos.

It's been several years since I last shared my original paintings in one of Stephanie's shows, and I'm delighted to be returning. These events are always filled with beautiful artwork, inspiring artists, and a wonderful sense of community.

I'll be offering After the Storm and After the Rain, along with a plenty more original paintings, including some cherished early pieces! Since I haven't released original artwork in quite some time, this feels like a very special way to celebrate these ten creative years.

If you'd like to join us, I'd love to see you there:

JOIN THE SHOW

As I'm closing this letter, I can feel a change in the air and through the window I can see a big grey cloud looming over the trees. A few raindrops are splashing on the dry earth. Time for me to step outside and take a deep breath...

Until next time, I hope you find a little time to create, to trust the process, and to notice what begins to emerge under your fingers, one layer at a time.