The only surprise is why it took me so long to discover Instagram! But I am finally posting images here and it’s feeling fine. And here’s the really nice thing – it is acting as a prompt to play more with photography, to post quick paintings and sketches and to interact with readers as well as artists and makers whose work I love. Instagram is so image based, it is a natural outlet for anyone who loves to record their world, their work and their play.

This is a particularly magical time to be starting on Instagram because I love seeing photos of holiday lights, candles and fireplaces, people’s walks in woods and by frozen shores and just reading or cooking and baking at home. But it’s also a treasure trove of art and crafts. I have discovered designers like Klaus Haapaniemi from Finland, painters like Este MacLeod from the UK, Parisian food photographer Nathalie Geffroy, master embroiderer Louise Gardiner and calligrapher David Grimes among many others.

And I’ve been having fun posting my paintings and sketches. I started a little collection of small acrylic and Stabilo CarbOthello pencil sketches on the theme of winter solstice and Winter Solstice I is posted above. I love making paintings that juxtapose rich warm and cool colours with lots of texture. There are more of my personal paintings on my Gallery page.

So if you enjoy Instagram and would like to check out my feed and get in touch, I’d love to hear from you!