‘March madness’ is what it’s called in Auckland when all schools and tertiary institutions return to studies and all workers are back at work driving to and fro in their cars. But oops, since this morning at 6am, we are back in lockdown. Lockdown 4.0, Level 3. So it’s back to working and studying from home. Hard for many, but for me not totally unwelcome, as I enjoy the slower pace.
March is also the time when the days here start growing shorter and when rising early for work, it’s a little cooler. It’s a time to start preparing the garden for bulb planting for spring blooms. Yet, on the northern side of the planet, it’s the opposite. In my IG feed I see snow and people wrapped in woollen hats and gloves and longing for spring.
February’s #2021_creativegrowth theme was ‘compassion’ and as we head to the end of summer I’ve reflected and decided I needed to show myself a little compassion. I felt guilty and berated myself for not creating more or being more active on IG. But I decided I need to let that go and accept it’s okay to have a break. It’s been a social month and I have connected more with my local friends. I am so lucky to have been able to attend a librarian’s conference I helped organise in Wellington. Also I’m hoping that the lull will help my creative growth in March.
Scrolling through the #2021_creativegrowth feed, I came across a number of lovely posts with some beautiful quotes.
Hannah @kompass.rauschen highlighted the February theme word, with a definition in calligraphic style.
Susan @coombessusan__my_pics had a very simple message with an empathetic bent.
Ann @ald65walks is an icon of compassion, cheering others on and helping her followers to keep up their spirits in these challenging Covid times
Laura Ann @lauraann_streasures chose the word ‘courage’ as her word for 2021 and I think it’s a good one. One that many of us will need this year.
And on the subject of growing creatively, I did join in with Nicholas Wilton’s Art2Life workshop that he so generously shared for free. As a result, I tried a new abstract painting style using some of his principles and now I see them in everyone’s art. It’s like he switched on a light. Only now I have to apply it to my own work - now there’s a challenge!
And so onto March’s theme. This one is a favourite of mine. Nature.
What can we do that’s different and that’s a stretch?
Have a look at my post for 28 February on Instagram to see some playing I did with a home-made stencil and acrylic paints with the theme of nature in mind.
I hope you’ll enjoy the new month’s theme and so look forward to your posts. If you’re in the northern spring, enjoy the unfurling of the bulbs and new growth and if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoy the cooler temperatures and the windless, autumn days. And if you’re in Auckland - keep strong and hopefully lockdown will only be a week long.
Here’s to changing seasons wherever you are.
Stay safe and art on.
Claudia x
