Sunday Summary: Summertime
Summer is finally here! Find out what I have been up to this week, read why I have painted sunflowers and which hit from the late 90’s I have been listening to.
Weekly Summary
Well, today is the 1st June which means the first day of meteorological summer here in the UK. That said, after a very dry and sunny May, today has been more grey, although I am not complaining as the ground could definitely do with some rain.
Today I have spent most of the day continuing to work on my Notre Dame piece. Inspired from a recent trip to Paris in celebration of my Bestie and I turning 40 this year, I have slowly been painting the amazing gothic juggernaut since.
Notre Dame has always had a special place in my heart. Having been raised an accidental Catholic (long story), I have often marvelled at the architecture and art of medieval Northern Europe. Although my relationship with religion is far more complicated these days, I still feel awe when I look at the buildings and for me, Notre Dame will always be unsurpassed. I think a part of it is also that Paris was the last holiday I had as a child before events later on that year led to the loss of my ability to walk and although 32 years on, the memories of that trip are as vivid to me as the colours of my current painting.
Although many hours have already been spent on it, I don’t regret taking on the challenge and determined to see it completed. Watch out for more updates over the next few weeks as I continue to work on this piece.
Still to be completed, the painting is inspired by a recent trip and influenced by impressionism and medieval iconography.
Sunflowers and Oil Paints
Last week I was suppose to have met my friends for a drink and draw evening in Leamington. Unfortunately I was not able to go and to make up for it, my friends asked me to complete my own version of the picture.
Sunflowers by my friends Lynsey and Hayley
Now, if you asked Lynsey and Hayley, they would both probably say there were not really painters and were just participating for the laugh. That said, you can tell they are sunflowers, each having their own instinctive styles and definitely fun.
This made me think a bit about my own approach to art. There becomes a moment when you are an artist that there is danger that you have stopped doing things for the ‘fun’ of it, and instead get embroiled in the meaning and even the pursuit of perfection in a painting. It is not our fault, I think it is drilled into us from an early age to pursue perfection, realism, and when you don’t achieve this, you can become very critical of yourself and abilities; you lose the fun.
Reflecting on what I have learned this week, I adopted my friends approach and painted this quick version of their painting one evening after work. It has been a long and challenging day, and I really needed to do something fun. So I loosened up, painted like I would have done years ago, with no reference, from the heart, and imagination. It was such fun. Is it perfect? No - but that is not the point. Sometimes you just have to let go.
I am therefore going to be bold this week. I challenge all of you, to go do something you once loved, but have now, for whatever reason, felt like you couldn’t do anymore. Let go and have some fun!
Sunflowers, Oil on card. May 2025.
Song of the Week
To be honest readers, May really hasn’t been the easiest month and have very much been looking forward to the start of a fresh and new month, leaving the chaos and challenges of the previous month behind me.
Keeping to a theme from last week’s Tina Tuner Proud Mary choice, I have been listening to music to keep me upbeat. I found myself listening to track from the late 90’s. in the late 90’s I would have been about 10-14 years old and so my experience of music at that time was heavily influenced by my Dad and uncles who were very much Indie and Rock ‘n’ Roll bikers.
While I definitely love the Indie and Rock music of the 90’s, as an adult, I learnt to also appreciate the merits of a good pop song. Alas, although I fully expect to get ribbed by the family for this song choice, I have chosen a cheesy pop song for this week’s track.
This song, with an upbeat melody and uncomplicated lyrics is a favourite of mine, for it’s message of carry on, and for all the times I have blared it out in the car and sung terribly at the top of my voice with friends. Love it or hate it, many of you I am sure will smile when you hear it.
So thats it for another week. For those that are returning to work or education next week after the half term break, I hope it goes well, and for those that are starting examinations, or have some form of assessment process this week, you’ve got this!
Till next week
David x