I made this pastel and charcoal study in 1981 in front of the mirrror. A very unhappy time for me personally. I always draw myself out of situations and this was no exception. I thought it had disappeared into the mists of time, but I found it in a frame behind another piece of work, who knew! So it is back with me as a kind of talisman of what to do when the going gets rough!

This study of mini cacti was made over the past couple of days and reflects the achievement of not over-watering even though I had a good go with the taller one! I enjoyed studying these especially today with a little bit of sunshine on the subject!

I made this study yesterday on the heavy handmade paper that was given to me. I am drawing the plants from around the house. This is one that has escaped me destroying it through overwatering. I am very reluctant to give it any water due to recent experiences with my plants. I will wait till April. I didn’t know that cacti and succulents have a dormant period in the winter. I thought I knew better, and kept trying to water them with disastrous results. I find this to be a theme, living and dying. Much on the minds of my friends just now too. It seems somehow apposite so I ‘ll see where it all takes me.

I made this little study yesterday in pencil and watercolour of the pile of needle-wallets i have previously made for workshops for vulnerable adults. I am hoping the facility in Lancashire that offers counselling for individuals needing it, is able to keep going despite funding issues. So this is a hopeful post, hoping that becoming and healing through creativity can be offered once again.

I made these drawings last week in the studio on some heavy handmade paper that was gifted me by my son. It is such a joy to work on. I also used pencils that were also a present from my friend Mo. The cactus I drew is a replacement for one that died from me overwatering it! This happens a lot to me, but am glad to say the new one seems to be thriving and has such energy. My nightshirt drawing inspiration came from a dream answering the question ‘What can I draw now?’ dreams help us so often if we choose to listen.

Have completed this embroidery over the winter months on Lithuanian linen. I made it into a cushion cover again because that’s what it wanted to be. I used bits and pieces of linen and ticking from around the studio. I always like to have something that is time consuming to work at over Christmas and beyond. I am high up in my studio and see the birds flying from above quite often so that spoke to me as a motif. I also used the little fabric collage I made from old clothes of an imaginary landscape as a reference for colour. It’s sad that I now have a bit of arthritis in my right hand ( I am right handed) so hand sewing may have to be limited, we’ll see. It breaks my heart. I can draw and paint still as that doesn’t have quite the close finger action that hand sewing has.