A new dawn

I wrote a list last night. It wasn't a shopping list or a housework list. It was a VERY IMPORTANT list. It was a 'MY FUTURE' list. My creative aspirations and soon to be perspirations. It was the beginning. Expect to see some career changes posted here over the next 12 months and some exciting opportunities opening.

I listened to an interview with Robbie Williams on the radio. He's back from a three year break after a not terribly successful album (at least compared to most of his records). Did he sound nervous, scared, lacking in confidence? Did he 'ekkers like*. The man is bursting with confidence. Success is written all over him (and yes, I can read through the radio - I'm clever like that!). I sat there and thought. "Here is someone who believes in himself". I'm sure he has attacks of the old inner critic like the rest of us but the important thing was that he announced to the world that he was proud of latest work; that it was great; that it would make you feel good. It wasn't big headed, it was just fact. Belief.

What does that do to someone listening to him talk? Well, I'll tell you. How can they hear a critic that he has so effectively silenced? They can't. They are carried along with his enthusiasm and believe too and then, they go out and buy his records. I, for one, can't wait.

I will be following this principle. I will BELIEVE in myself. I will let go of fear and then trample all over it. Now is my time and I am going to take it!

Finally, we get to the original point of this post. I found another arty blog challenge. Mixed Media Monday - what a pleasant start to the week. I was invited to develop a piece that evokes a particular time of day.

Well, after last night's list making, it had to be a new dawn.

I used to drive to work early down a dreary motorway and certain times of the year the sun would rise as I joined the commuter line of traffic. There's one spot where the road lies above the fields and the mist would hang like a magical see-through counterpane keeping the river warm. I wanted to recreate some of that mystical quality and also the remnants of dreams as you wake and rub the sleep from your eyes to take on the new day.

Acrylics, collage (old book and tissue paper), silk paint and oil pastel.

* I appreciate that many of my readers may wonder what kind of crazy spelling this is - it is in fact colloquial Yorkshire meaning 'as if'. Apologies to any Yorkshire folk as I've probably quoted it wrong - me being a Southern softie and all that...