Samantha Humphreys

Art, Photography, Inspiration & Education

Tag: plants

Craftsmanship and Memories

My dollhouse project that was started by my grandad fifty years ago has been coming along nicely this week as I have had a little time off to work on it. I have been working on the interior which I will not be overworking as I want to retain as much as possible of what was there originally, I don’t want to lose the appeal of celebrating the history of the production. I will be giving some considered thought to each and every square inch but the old and unfinished look, particularly to the upstairs working area will be my objective.

I had a thought earlier today that I actually don’t want to rush through finishing this as it makes me so happy to work on it. Each detail I add brings back memories of my grandad’s craftsmanship and the stories he used to tell me about his work. I want to savour every moment spent on this project. I do however see it as an evolving and ongoing activity, with real exhibitions and documentation to bring it to a new audience.

I have decided that I want more of an outside space as I have had so many ideas for what this could involve. The vision I have in my mind is serene and inviting with flowers, plants and the occasional art installation. A place that reflects not only my creative vision, but also the warmth of family traditions passed down through generations. I feel as though I am collaborating with my Grandad.

Happy Easter! May it inspire new art endeavours!

Miles, Minutes & Steps

Creativity takes courage. ”Henri Matisse”

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I have started a new job this week, I am going to be learning how to translate what I have learned as a University College lecturer into what is required of me to teach in a school. It is a lot to learn, I will have to think quicker and ‘do’ faster and If that isnt scary enough, I was used to a wellbeing routine, early morning walks full of rich green-ness and tranquility that started my day off whatever lay ahead. That has all turned a little chaotic and I need to find a way to develop a new routine, I need that walk infused into the start of the day. I already wake at the crack of dawn and I find that while I’m thinking all this, inside my head is like a roladex that flips round and round and I can’t quite grasp the visual and exciting ideas that whizz past at too fast a pace….Breathe…

…Today, I decided that what I must do, while my routine develops organically, I will take every chance i get to ‘bank’ wellbeing miles, minutes, steps-whatever I can to keep my mind healthy. So today I banked some, stopping (inside, I was annoyed that I kept on doing this) to take photos of the familiar route I have been craving all week, which had a newness to it, as though its a metaphor for the new eyes nature of my new role.

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The Wood Melick brushes that delicately protrude from the side of my path and then once onto the newly mown and difficult to walk on fieds, the purple Orchard Grass catches my eye in the thick patches of wild that have been left.

Then there are my favourite trees, well, some of my favourite trees, I have several…I’ll stop now.