A summer pause
- jaclyn Stuart
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Hello everyone,
As another busy season comes to a close, I am very much looking forward to some rest and relaxation. I often stop and remind myself how incredibly fortunate I am.
I have the most amazing job. I get to create and sell original artwork, teach wonderful students, and travel to beautiful places doing what I love.
That said, this time of year always reminds me that even when you love what you do, rest is still essential.
As the summer holidays begin, I'm looking forward to slowing down, taking a breath, and allowing space for new ideas to emerge.
NEW PAINTING
One of the paintings I've recently completed is What the Roses Remember, an oil painting from a new series of work.
This painting is about memory and how a fragrance can transport us back to a place and time. Sometimes a memory that has been locked away for years can be unlocked in an instance by a fragrance. The smell of freshly cut grass, roses in bloom or rain on warm earth can often take us back to a moment in time. I'd love to know—has a particular scent ever taken you back to a moment in your life? You can watch my process video here. The painting will be available to buy at my next exhibition which I hope will be in 2027. If I can get a move on a paint some more of my ideas. Watch this space.
KIDS SUMMER CLASSES
Next week is my last week of teaching before I take a rest to relax and feed my imagination.
On Monday my summer holiday kids classes begin with the children will be inventing their own chocolate bars—a lesson that is guaranteed to produce plenty of imaginative ideas! The rest of the week will be filled with drawing Disney characters, dragons, and Pokémon. I have no doubt there will be lots of laughter and creativity.
OUTDOOR STUDIO
We have had some fantastic weather here in Scotland and I decided to take my studio outdoors. Surrounded by my husband's beautiful plants, I spent time painting in the fresh air, and it reminded me how important nature is to my creative process. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and a little sunshine to spark new ideas.
DABTON HOUSE
The summer won't be entirely restful, however. I'll be spending a week teaching at Dabton House with Flavours Holidays, and I'm really looking forward to the experience. I've heard wonderful things about both the house and the surrounding countryside, so I'll be busy planning some Scottish-themed painting lessons before I go.
While I'm there, I also hope to visit the Peploe exhibition at Kirkcudbright Galleries. As many of you know, I love discovering new exhibitions and revisiting artists whose work continues to inspire me.
Apart from that, I plan to enjoy a slower pace, soak up some fresh inspiration, and simply notice the beauty in everyday things.
Thank you, as always, for following my work, supporting my paintings, coming to classes, reading these newsletters, and being part of this creative journey. It truly means more than you know.
I hope your summer is filled with beautiful moments, time to rest, and perhaps a little unexpected inspiration of your own.
See you on the other side.
Love
Jaclyn
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