A scene of autumn’s beauty, gifting a creative spark this week…
On Creative Sparks, Autumn’s Palette & Following the Nudge
This week, I’m relieved that ‘bonfire night’ is now over, but there are still the odd bangs echoing here and there. I’m not totally against it, I have just never enjoyed the noise, and I hate what it does to my friend’s pets and the wildlife, not to mention the impact on those with PTSD. Sabrina, our little black fluffy cat, seems unconcerned. A blessing really. My sensitive soul would hide away as a kid, and as a reluctant adult, taught to ooohhh and ahhh, my eyes would involuntarily squeeze shut with every explosion, as I retreated further into the hood of my coat!
I have fond childhood memories of bonfire gatherings in Orpington where Nanna and Gramps once lived, and the annual tradition of watching the Christmas lights switch on in Horsham every year, where my Dad, who worked for Seeboard Energy (Southern Eastern Electricity Board) at the time, would be the one on the radio in the switch room, actually flicking the switch to turn on the Christmas lights across the town, as the various celebrity guests took the glory on the bandstand! It was always a proud moment stood in the crowd to witness the perfectly coordinated timing of the countdown, the big switch on, followed by a huge display of fireworks (‘Well done Dad’ we would always shout, as he worked with his team and made it all work perfectly! as we got strange looks from the crowd who thought we might be related to Father Christmas or something!!). We all loved the walk afterwards to ‘inspect’ that they were all working and shining bright. Special memories.
Nowadays, I prefer nature’s own fireworks. And there is no better time to witness autumn’s beautiful palette! Yesterday walking in some beautiful local woods with some of my lovely tribe, I took the above photograph. The colours literally stopped us in our tracks!
It’s funny, looking at the scene, I was already imagining mixing the gorgeous warm paint colours, layering the textures and background and selecting a fan brush to stipple the branches and leaves over the scene. Not necessarily working to the exact reference photo, but intuitively capturing the essence of being there, witnessing the display.
Last week, my ‘Letter from the Studio’ gave a glimpse of the new Black Forest Collection, and I am still so excited to develop this range as I have the most stunning reference photographs and memories of immersion in that landscape.
However, I am parking that project, just for now, as I follow the nudge and go play and respond to the creative spark inspired by nature’s fireworks. I look forward to sharing with you the results!
Today is also Remembrance Sunday. I’ve been wearing my poppy all week. It’s a small but meaningful way of honouring the bravery of those who came before us, our own family and ancestors, and the countless people whose names we may never know. Those who served, those who sacrificed, and those who continue to show courage today. I find the simple symbolic beauty of the poppy deeply moving.
Inspired by John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, the poppy became a symbol of remembrance after the bright red flowers began appearing across the devastated battlefields of the First World War. There is something profoundly poignant about that image: a little flower growing in a landscape scarred by human conflict. Those little seeds, lying quietly beneath the earth, responded to the light as the ground was disturbed. I wear my poppy as a symbol of not only remembrance, but as a symbol of hope for a more peaceful future.
In May 2024, my hubby Jamie and I took a trip to mainland Greece, Thessaloniki, on a pilgrimage to find his great-grandfather’s grave in the Commonwealth war graves. We were moved by the sheer scale of the place, after searching the map and walking up every row to find him, we then discovered there were two cemeteries, and we were in the wrong one! (In 30-degree heat, walking and up and down was not easy!) But it did enable me to read every name of those people, and reflect, just how far away from home they were. I gave my thanks to them, and felt how sad that their own families may have never been fortunate enough to travel here.
The Commonwealth War Graves were beautifully manicured and maintained. The British area, distinct from the marble and stone of the other countries, was laid out with lawns and neat flower beds, with flowers at each headstone. When we located the second war graves, (the correct site!) we were again struck by how beautifully maintained they were. And there, we found Jamie’s great-grandfather - R.J Bainbridge, Sapper 296491, 107th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. And do you know, his was the only grave with the tallest, most beautiful Agapanthus in full bloom. Across the whole site, his was the only flower yet open. Of course, we had to plant these beautiful flowers in our own garden at home, and they are a fond reminder every year of that very special trip. We felt very privileged to have been able to travel there.
I feel that this time of year, nature naturally encourages us to reflect. There is something so atmospheric about the misty days, the fading light, falling leaves and changing seasons, there are still so many things to catch our attention, stir a memory or spark an idea. As the recent celebrations of Halloween, Samhain, with their own traditions, beliefs and folklore come and go, it always encourages me to think of my loved ones who have passed and connect with the ancestors.
It makes me think about how nature has the ability to hold our attention in very different ways. Sometimes it gives us a creative spark, inspiring us to paint those beautiful colours; and sometimes it invites us to be still and reflect.
Sometimes inspiration arrives quietly, sometimes it stops us in our tracks! And sometimes, all it takes is a moment of noticing, a little curiosity and the willingness to follow that nudge.
So, what has caught your eye recently? Has something in nature sparked an idea, stirred a memory or inspired you to try something creative?
Until next Sunday…
🌿 May you find inspiration in nature this week.
Tracey Anne x
