I've been thinking a lot recently about the need I have inside me pressing me to paint, it's more present than ever, so, despite my limited tiny space I'm planning something.

Life has been hard these past few months, we all deal with pain and loss in our own way, I am planning a therapeutic painting collection, something that's coming from deep within me feelings yearning to be processed, to be let out, to be expressed in colours and forms. I hope that it will help me process some of the pain and help me see the beauty around me again. I already feel that it will be beautiful and uplifting and healing,

I can see colours and strokes forming in my subconscious mind, I've already started the creative process without even picking up a brush, it's consuming my mind and that is a welcome relief... and you know what the good news is...? this new collection, I'm going to share it with you.

It's still months away, and I'm not going to rush but I already have a collection name, it just called to me out of the mountainous forests that surround me and settled gently in my mind, it's simply a matter of time before I start to physically create, this collection will be heart healing goodness, for me.

​I'm sure it can't remove all of the pain and I don't even want it to, but it might bring relief to the hurt and be maybe some kind of beautiful release to the pain I feel currently when I think of my sister and perhaps transform this hurt into a feeling more representative of all the good things that should be associated with my memory of her. From my heart to yours x Louise.

I have been taking 5 minutes out of each day to illustrate, doing this really made me want to paint, so very, very much. Life is full, we are still in confinement in France, that means my two daughters are home with me, plus we're building a house at the moment, that adds so much to the day to day tasks, then, on top of that there is my ever present grief from losing my beautiful little sister... so, how to find the energy, the time, and the space in our teeny, tiny 29 m2... 

I decided to replace those 5 minutes of daily illustration time with 5 minutes of painting time, then I found a space to leave a few brushes etc. accessible without needing more than half a minute to set up or pack up, easier said than done in such a small home. But I managed, I made it happen and I was so very happy to have a paintbrush back in my hand. It was difficult though, to stop after only a few minutes, I knew it would be, this is the exact reason why I created a sort of mini paint by numbers series for myself, on extra small 10cm round wooden boards, something that I could pick up and put down until the next day and importantly something that didn't take up more than a window sill of space in our tiny home. I made a plan to keep it simple, I made creative decisions in the planning stage and then I just enjoyed having a brush or palette knife in my hand, putting paint onto a surface.

I really think that what I mixed on my palette was much prettier than what I ended up painting, and you know what... that's okay too, it was an exercise in carving out time for art, in anyway possible. I wanted to pour my love into it and I needed it to ba a beautiful, calming experience and I feel like I achieved my goal.

The process got me thinking about how I much prefer totally abstract works, the kind that don't resemble anything from our physical world, instead representing emotions and memories from within. I know I am drawn to abstract more than anything else. Moving forward from this therapeutic experience I realise that I need to make the time somewhere in my week to keep it up, It's heart healing and it's what I need at the moment. It will need to be more than 5 minutes though, so that it can flow out of me in a less planned more organic way.

I do believe that we can make anything happen in our lives, that is if we want it badly enough to break down the barriers we put in front of ourselves, sometimes it just needs to start with baby steps, like a little paint by numbers.

​x Louise.
@louise.martin.art     #louisemartinart     ©louisemartin2021

It's not been easy over these past months of ever changing covid life in france. Learning to re-adjust to what we are and aren't allowed to do and how that might change the structure of our days is ongoing. I have recently picked up my pencils again and given myself a little challenge, to spend 5 minutes each day illustrating something, anything, just adding a touch of creativity back into my days despite whatever else may be happening around me, I mean we all have 5 minutes to spare, right ?! It's a way for me to mentally go to another place, to let go of other thoughts or troubles, a welcome little break in the routine. Another bonus is that it's certainly having an impact on my happiness levels, a nice side effect. I think I'll keep it up a while yet, maybe forever. x

Museum-quality prints made on thick and durable matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room or office with these prints that are sure to brighten any environment.

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
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[Shipping from europe or the USA depending on delivery address.]
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I am so thrilled to release my abstract Mountainscape series as archival prints! I felt compelled to create this series drawn in by the majestic mountains that surround me, and inspired by their undeniably imposing yet quiet beauty and seemingly eternal strength.

I really do love escaping to the mountains to explore for a day or a weekend, there is often not a soul in sight and everywhere I look I am surrounded by the landscape swooping, curving, embracing in such a naturally beautiful way.

In the mountains I find escape, a place to energise, a moment of calm, a sense of freedom, a deep love and appreciation for nature in all its glory... and a special type of glow that emerges from inside of me and fills me up to the top - a feeling of being nourished by all that mountainous goodness simply by 'being' in the mountains.

When was the last time you went exploring? in the mountains or elsewhere... exploration takes you outside of yourself and gives you space to embrace discovery, to wander, feel inspired and rejuvenated. I recommend putting go exploring on your 'to do' list today.

x Louise