Books from left to right: Architect of Light by Thomas W Schaller, Textile Landscape by Cas Holmes, Works on Paper 2 by Marc Folly, The Artists Journey by Nancy Hillis, Audrey Walker by Phillip Hughes.
This is my 1st ever blog and will give a little background to my ‘why’ and the creative choices I have made. I want to thank you in advance for taking the time to read this, I hope you enjoy it.
What encourages us to make the creative choices we end up making? Sometimes it’s fate, circumstances we can do little about. And sometimes we make choices that take us in the opposite direction of where we once dreamt we would be. Hopefully, somehow we find ourselves in a place where we can finally flourish and allow that creative vibe to thrive, the creative spark is still alive.
My Dad was a sailor, a boatbuilder, antique restorer, sail designer, once in a blue moon artist and could knock out a tune on the harmonica and accordion. Without doubt, he was an eccentric. Someone who struggled with being in anyway conventional. This obviously had it’s downsides but as his daughter I learnt the joy of what you could produce using your hands, the joy of being a creative.
All through my life I dabbled. I sewed. I painted and drew and even completed half a City & Guilds in Ceramics (due to circumstances beyond my control). I had a dream to leave behind being employed in various admin roles and start my own creative business.
My first creative business, SuQ Designs
1. How not to run a business and
2. That my heart lies in design and art, not construction. It didn’t fulfil the creative itch I was trying to scratch, so I switched tracks.
A change of Direction
Some of my bags had started to include embroidery and I became fascinated by ‘simple’ stitch. I took a couple of short courses and joined the local Embroiderer’s Guild. I was very proud to be accepted as a member by the online Society for Embroidered Work and by the exhibiting group Preston Threads.
2019 was exclusively focused on a large textile work as part of Preston Threads SYNERGY exhibition. Unfortunately, as with many things, the exhibition was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. Teaching myself to draw formed a large part of my year and a half research for the project, even joining life drawing classes and rediscovering watercolour.
Another Creative Choice
The pandemic and the need to shield opened up a space that I needed to fill. I was missing my granddaughter terribly and sitting and stitching felt uncomfortable in the vacuum that had been created. I needed something to occupy my mind. Watercolour has done just that. I read books, LOTS of books, watched countless videos read blogs and practiced. I still do all of these things. A whole new world has opened up to me and it has given me a new way to explore my inspiration.
I will write more about my experiences with watercolour and textile art in the coming months but this piece introduces me and gives a little of my background. I will write about my inspirations (which is likely to include birds along the way) and process, discoveries I make and new and upcoming work and events. I will publish a new blog every 3 to 4 weeks.
Creativity is something I have played with since I was young, but these past 8 years it has become a way of life, it is what ‘I do’.
The sun has come out at last, I’m off out to my studio to paint. I will catch up with you soon.
Sue x
The Artists Journey by Nancy Hillis has been an inspirational read. I still have more to read but I often dip into it when I need motivation
Beautiful x and well done you x
Thank you very much Claire and for taking the time to read it. I am glad I have started at last! Have a lovely weekend x
So interesting Sue, it was lovely to read more about you. I remember your beautiful bags, that was how I first got to know you. It’s lovely to see you finding new ways to be creative…we’re very similar in that respect, our creativity has to find outlets wherever it can. I’ll look forward to reading future instalments! Well done! Lots of love, Chris
Hi Chris, we have been connected for a long time now and it is lovely to watch each other’s journey. I love your feed it is always full of joyful images and never fails to make me smile! I think we are so lucky to have our creativity, especially after the year we have had. Thank you very much for reading my new blog and for your lovely message. Have a lovely evening.
Hi Sue I have recently started to follow your Instagram account which has led me to read your blog. Well done on your first post, it is always interesting to hear about a person’s creative journey. Like you, I have pursued my creative interests during the pandemic. I am trying to improve my watercolour painting and love textiles, especially embroidery. Still much to learn. Your watercolours are beautiful. Look forward to seeing how you develop the blog. Thanks for being so inspiring.
Hello Sue, thank you so much for taking the time to read my first blog and for your lovely message! It’s a constant journey I think with textiles and painting but that makes it exciting and also frustrating sometimes too. I have found painting and embroidery or textile art complement each other perfectly. I will be writing more about the different ways of learning I have tried. I hope you might find it interesting.
Have a lovely weekend!
It was so lovely to learn more about your artistic pursuits and how your creative interests have evolved. I too find my creative interests evolving and it’s nice to know I’m not alone! Congrats on starting a blog, I find it to be a lovely way to not only connect and share, but also have as a personal reference of my own creative journey! ❤️
Hello lovely Shannon, that is so kind of you to take the time to come and read my new blog. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time and was too nervous and didn’t have the know how or website before. You are so right, it is a great way to keep a record of how we progress and our journey and I love the connections with like minded friends! You are a lovely lady Shannon and I have been very glad I met you. Have a lovely rest of the weekend. Sue x
Hi Sue. Great blog. Interesting to hear about your dad. Lovely wooden sailing boat. I’d like to hear more about him. Sue R.
Hi Sue, thank you very much for reading my new blog. I had never thought about that before but with your love of sailing, you would have got on so well with him. I would love to tell you more sometime. Have a great weekend Sue.
Lovely first blog Sue. Love the stories of your dad. Looking forward to reading more blogs. X
Hi Sangita, thank you very much I am glad you enjoyed it, your opinion means a lot. Have a lovely evening and thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I really appreciate it x
Wonderful read, Susan! Thank you for sharing, I’m looking forward to reading more!
Hello Julia thank you for coming over to read my first blog, that’s lovey of you and I am so happy you enjoyed it. Have a lovey Sunday!
Fabulous Sue, well done on your first blog.. 🙂 my goodness your bags are so gorgeous, I hope you still make them. Super talented indeed, much love x
Hello Joan, thank you very much for coming over to read my blog! No I don’t make my bags anymore. I got burnt out by it to be honest and the thought of making anymore really doesn’t appeal. But who knows one day I might change my mind. I still have some lovely fabrics sitting there, waiting for some love. Thank you Joan 🙂 x
Fabulous first blog, your Dad sounds like he was quite the character! Looking forward to reading more xx
Hi Jenny, my Dad was a real character yes, I feel very lucky to have had him in my life, I just wish it had been for longer. Thank you so much and thank you for coming over to read it and leave me your lovely message xx
Hi Sue, how interesting hearing a little about your Dad, he sounds like a fascinating man.
I think I first met you when you were ending your bag business in search of your creativity. You have certainly found it! I am still searching for mine.
I am really looking forward to hearing more in your blogs and of course seeing lots more of your fantastic artwork.
Hi Susan, yes I remember! That was some time ago now, I am very happy that we met. My Dad was a fascinating character and very talented. He didn’t really live in the real world though, or rather he was happy living by his own rules I guess. I was so very lucky that he adopted me when I was little, he loved me and taught me so much.
I think your creativity is beautiful! You have a real style that is your own and I can see your confidence has grown no end since we first met. I hope we get to meet up again this year, perhaps share a brew somewhere.
Thank you Susan x