Life without Social Media

Hello May! Some of you may have read my recent posts on Social Media, letting you know I was taking a short break from the platforms to focus on creativity.

I’m thinking more and more that social media, whilst a fantastic platform for creatives, can become a little overwhelming and a bit of a distraction from what really matters. So I’m not sure how long I’ll be away, but I know I definitely need some time off.  If you have had similar nagging doubts about Social Media, and it’s impact on your time and energy, I’d love to know. (If you are reading this from Facebook – I’ve got an automatic sharing link set up, I’m not back just yet!)

The short time I’ve been away so far has refreshed my mind and given me a whole new sense of focus. Here’s what I’ve been up to …

So many new paintings!

I’ve had a flurry of creative energy, whilst I have been cleansing my mind from technology. I’ve added all my new pieces to my shop for purchase. I’d love you to be the first to see them!

The sky is my favourite subject to paint because it reminds me that in comparison to its vastness, we are so small. Life too is small, so live every moment of it.

Divergent

Drift

Halcyon

Opulent

Placid

Shimmer

Voltaic

Infatuation

 

Paintings to lift your mood |Emily Louise Heard

Emily Louise Heard

It may be raining here in the UK, but I have some sunlight to bring the summer to your home in the form of original art!

I’ve just updated my online shop with some new colourful art, straight off the easel.

Head to my store to have a browse.

Enjoy! Here’s a snippet of some of the bright works in my collection available for purchase.

Vesper

Reverie

In the clouds

Reverie

In the clouds

Head in the clouds

Sun drenched

Serenity

Did you know that I’m also now on YouTube? Head to my channel to watch insights into my studio, process and being an artist.

Much love,

Emily x

What happens when you buy art?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

”When you buy something from an artist you are buying more than an object. You’re buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation. You’re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You’re not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul… a small piece of someone else’s life.”

-Rebekah Joy Plett

Art should not break the bank

Fancy some original art for your home, designed specifically for you?

 

For your chance to win 40% off a commissioned piece of art (any size) simply head to my website and subscribe to my mailing list ❤️

 

Comment ‘done’ once you have added your email address – simple! 👍

 

Offer ends 31st March

https://www.emilylouiseheard.com/

Well said

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover. —Mark Twain

Don’t let the bastards get you down

Don’t let the bastards get you down.

It’s something people say to encourage you to keep being you, to keep following your path. Ignore the judgement of others, shake off their opinions and carry on shining. But what if the biggest bastard is within yourself?

That nagging voice…you’re not good enough. Give up. Why bother?

I thought about this today, as I felt heavy with my own self perceived inadequacy. It weighed on my back like a boulder, pushing me deeper into the sofa.. ‘Why bother?’ it whispered. I couldn’t move and drag myself to create, I felt helpless and overwhelmed.

We are all our own worst critic. Our own worst enemy, and the biggest hurdle to success than anything else. Where is the saying don’t let YOUR bastard get you down? Because the majority of the time, we don’t have anyone else to blame than ourselves.

The good news is that these spells of self doubt are fleeting. We just have to learn to ride the waves as they come, and fight our way to the surface as they try to drag us down.

Control the unicorn inside your head

Finding your flow as an artist is an ever evolving journey. It’s like chasing sunbeams dancing off walls. You can touch them, watch the light reflect off your skin, magical and illuminating. It’s inspiring, distracting, frustrating and like drowning in oxygen all at the same time. There’s a whole wealth of things to create, and your heart wants to express them in so many ways.
The trick to being a successful artist and developing your ‘style’ is learning to control the distracted child, entranced by shiny things, trying to play with them all.

It’s something I’m still learning, evolving and trying to control. After several years of battling I’m starting to feel like I have a bit more of a grip on the reigns, to lead this frigging art unicorn inside my mind to the place it needs to go.

I’m working on a new collection, inspired by and building on a recent 30 day painting challenge I completed. 🦄🎨❤️

You can watch this here:

30 Day Painting Challenge – YouTube

Escape from reality

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller.

That’s kind of what painting is about. Pouring your heart and soul into a canvas, bare and exposed for everyone to see. My paintings are not about realism, detail or perfection. They are about colour, emotions and expression. Every brush stroke is a cathartic healing process, an escape from reality and into peace ☮️

It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous

”Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring”

This piece was heavily inspired by one of my all time favourite artists, Charmain Olivia. If you haven’t seen her awe inspiring work, you really need to.

Messy mind, happy heart?

My studio is messy, I’m not going to lie.

I’m not organised, nothing has a dedicated place, and I mainly paint on the floor using cardboard boxes to rest my canvases on. Classy right?

Everything in there is pretty much covered in paint splats..and if it isn’t, it will be.

But despite the chaos, it’s the one place I feel surprisingly calm.

The exciting news is that I have a new studio space being prepared ASAP. Maybe I’ll keep it tidy…watch this space.