Still sticking with the theme of nature, I decided to have a go at a seascape.

I’ve not painted the sea before, and it was certainly different from painting the river in River Adventure or the stream in Cooling Off.

What I hadn’t truly appreciated until I was searching for reference pictures, is the huge range of tones of blues and greens, even purples and yellows!

Since I started my painting journey (almost a year now 😱) I’ve realised that I am much more aware of colour, of the beauty and the delicate and often subtle shades of colour which make up the things around us.

I’ve also become more aware of the way light falls plays a huge part in how we perceive things and how it creates depth and dimension.

I’m much more aware.

And I’ve noticed I’m also much more aware of everything in my life.

How the morning birdsong makes me feel as I wake up; a stranger’s face lighting up when I give them a smile; feeling the different types of ground beneath my feet when I’m walking…

We live so much of our lives on autopilot and can take so much for granted.

We spend huge amounts of time in the Land of What-If’s – Living in the past wishing we could change things or living in the future worrying about what might be, yet the only thing that matters, the only thing we can truly control is what is happening right now…

… the words I choose as I write this or the amount of attention you give my words as you are reading this right now.

Getting present – being in the now, in the moment – changes everything.

You start to see beauty in everything, and I’ve come to realise there is so much we are missing out on.

Last weekend it was Mother’s Day, and I was in a reflective mood – Mum passed early April 2016.

Even though she was struggling with her health, she loved watching the birds feeding in the garden, she even had a small pair of binoculars so she could see them better from her chair.

She saw the beauty in the Sparrows, the Bluetits, the Goldfinches, the Chaffinches… every bird she saw filled her with joy.

Whatever is going on in our lives right now, there is always something that will bring a smile to your face if you choose to get present and allow yourself to become truly aware of what is around you.

Or you can choose to live in the Land of What-If’s.

I know which I prefer.

With love xx

If you’re struggling with fears or beliefs (or anything else for that matter) and would like a confidential chat, reach out jez@jezhunt.com