Going back
Discover more from Happy Surprises
Happy Surprise is a free weekly newsletter. If it’s your first time here: welcome & hi there! If you find inspiration and joy in this creative space, why not share it? Thank you for reading.
I’m back on the road in France for the next week. I've already enjoyed croissants, baguettes, cheese, red wine, strawberry jam, and hung out at a couple of beaches in Normandy. By the time you read this, I will be further down south, immersing myself in the French lifestyle even more.
I’ve also returned to exploring and painting jellyfish. It's one of those subjects that either flows naturally for me, or I find myself enjoying painting them repeatedly. Last year, I created a watercolor and gouache series that I found truly fulfilling. However, my real inspiration came from observing jellyfish last week in Zeeland and during the summer break in the UK. It seems like no matter where I go, I see them!
Sadly, I only have two sketches to share from Day 15 to 21. I do have the rest with me; I just haven't had the chance to take photos of them. On top of this, I ended up skipping two days to stay on track with trip preparations.
Normally, I would feel bad about letting myself down for skipping two days and not posting as I had promised. However, as I took a moment to reflect, I realised that this project was never meant to be about daily online posts. In fact, it's not the typical 100-day project; instead, it's my creative journey of exploring and playing for the next 100 days. And it’s okay to shift directions.
When you share your creative project online, you do so with the hope that it brings joy to others - but it's also a way of continuing to explore your creative path.
Going back
Reminiscing about a long summer we once spent in France when my mum had a wee place there. Baguettes, cheese, wine! Ooft!
My creative sharings are a little different in that I’m currently opening up about my process. I’m enjoying it as it’s bringing deeper clarity, but wonder if it’s overwhelming for readers. The ‘figuring outing’ is helping me understand what I want to do in terms of design and printing though 😊
Oh, I was in Honfleur just over a year ago. Sigh. Love your jellyfish, the currents work and the ones from your previous collection. I, too, was stung by a jellyfish when I was kid. Still remember that feeling. But they are such beautiful creatures. Thanks for taking us on this journey (the travel part and the art part!).