Art, Poetry and Autumn Inspiration
From colourful hedgehogs to illustrated poetry, with an exciting creative adventure in Paris on the horizon
October is one of my favourite months for colour. As the trees change, I find myself photographing interesting combinations of reds, oranges and greens (there are so many this year after the successive heatwaves and droughts), usually with every intention of painting them. Inevitably, I end up adding more ideas to my growing collection of unfinished projects.
With autumn approaching, I've decided to revisit ‘In My Dreaming’, one of the illustrated poems Natasha and I published in 2025. I particularly like the idea of returning to its imaginary summer garden as we prepare for another change of season.
‘I picked it and raised it Up to the bud of my nose Inhaled it, became it, As I twirled like the petals On a rose.’
I'll leave you to enjoy Natasha's words and my accompanying illustration without attempting to explain either. After all, we each bring our own imagination and experiences to art and poetry.
A hedgehog and a little experimentation
Yesterday, I took part in an online painting workshop in aid of the People's Trust for Endangered Species. We painted colourful hedgehogs using powdered inks and bamboo sticks carved into drawing tools. I thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with the different marks and colours, particularly as I'd never worked with these materials in quite this way before. Supporting hedgehog conservation is something I'm committed to. I've now acquired another technique to explore, although I probably ought to finish a few existing projects first!
Paris and something new
Later in October, Natasha and I will be meeting in Paris, where we're planning an exciting addition to Creative Bubbles by The Randoms.
Having collaborated remotely between Manchester and Paris for so long, we particularly enjoy opportunities to work together in person. We'll be experimenting with something new, and we're looking forward to sharing more once we've developed our ideas. Knowing us, we'll probably return with several additional projects!
What will you try this autumn?
I've always enjoyed meeting people who discover new creative interests later in life. Whether they're returning to painting, experimenting with poetry or attending their first art workshop, I'm fascinated by what people choose to explore when they give themselves the opportunity.
As I prepare for Paris, I'll be revisiting a few unfinished paintings, experimenting with my newly acquired bamboo ink painting technique and enjoying October's changing colours.
In the meantime, perhaps you'll join me in revisiting ‘In My Dreaming’. You might even feel inspired to retrieve that abandoned sketchbook, book an art workshop or finally pursue something you've been dreaming about for years.
I'd love to hear what creative adventures you're planning this autumn.
Rebecca
The Art Random
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