In the past few weeks, the big ‘C’ has definitely raised its head ... yes, I am talking about CHRISTMAS!

People are starting to think about what presents to buy for their loved ones and looking for unique gifts for all these birthday and anniversary celebrations which have been cancelled due to Covid restrictions. As a result, I have started to get busy with commissions.... it truly has become commission city. 

I have been focussing almost exclusively on pen and ink pointillism recently, but I had to get the watercolour paints out as there have been requests to capture favourite scenes and landmarks as gifts. It made me realise just how much I love pointillism, as it was hard to motivate myself to do the paintings.

This week I have completed two watercolour landscapes and two pointillism pet portraits. I have decided to focus more on pointillism after Christmas. There seem to be plenty of people with plenty of pets out there to keep me busy.

It is strange to have come full circle, back to the pet portraits that I thought I did not want to focus on, but life is a journey of discovery.

Having re-edited my memoir recently, I seem to have been doing a lot of reflecting on journeys. It seems we are always learning and reinventing ourselves, deciding on life’s next path.

This part of my journey would never have happened had I not been in lockdown with paper and pens. Something good has come from something terrible. I guess that is how we evolve.

I may be producing lots of artwork as gifts but the situation this Christmas seems quite uncertain. As we head back in to ever increasing restrictions, due to escalating levels of infection, it is unclear just what Christmas will look like in 2020.

Many may not spend it with loved ones ... all the more reason for thoughtful gifts which let people know that we are thinking of them. It is good to be part of this small but meaningful solution.

Personally, I enjoy hearing the reactions of recipients. You do not get that from anonymous sales in shops and galleries. Delivering the framed artwork is all part of the experience for me.

I wonder where the next commission will take me.