I know. You have this little creative itch to scratch. Plans of starting a sketchbook practice, journalling regularly, getting back into painting or dusting off that guitar.

But somehow actually Doing The Thing just doesn't happen.  It’s that inner critic…here are my best tips for dealing with her.

Are you a bit over all the exuberant advice about goal setting?

I hear you…. it’s exhausting. Is there another way to live your life and still achieve your goals that is a bit less tiresome? I sure hope so….

I used both ink and watercolour this month - they play so beautifully together. Of course, each is perfectly adequate on their own. But when they work together there is less to be expected of each one - the load is shared. There is a message in that for all of us, to be sure.

This month I have been playing with an entirely new medium - Brusho. New art supplies are an inspiring treat and always offer something new to learn. I always feel as if the medium and the subject work together to bring me a message. As is so often the case these days, this one seemed to be about control.

Paint a happy little tree in autumn and you notice a thing or too about ageing gracefully. Fresh young shoots of spring are all very well, but here is what a little maturity can offer…

Every so often, on our early morning school run we see hot air balloons. 

It is just the sort of extraordinary sight in an ordinary day that makes me happy to be alive. Even in the most routine tasks there is the odd touch of whimsy to be found. 

It makes you breathe a little deeper and a smile a little more. 

What should you do when you long for spring? Try these suggestions to bring joyful spring colour into your day no matter what time of year it happens to be