Author: seaglassvisuals

Art and literature to soothe your soul…

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Book cover

Extract from An Apothecary of Art – Pg.119
Text: Lisa Azarmi, from Thoughts on a Dog (2022)
Art: Amy Katherine Browning, Lime Tree Shade, 1913

Extract from An Apothecary of Art – Pg.39
Text: Beatrix Potter, from The Journal of Beatrix Potter from 1881 to 1897
Art: John Atkinson Grimshaw, Spirit of Night, 1879

Since l can remember, art and the written word have both been an integral part of my life. My creative spirit feels instinctively drawn to paintings, poems and transformative quotes.

So to be gifted the enchanting An Apothecary of Art to soothe your soul by Ravenous Butterflies is a wondrous treasure of delights for the senses.

It was on a wintry afternoon when l set out to explore this book. With a spirited approach, l closed my eyes and randomly chose a page.

How marvelous to fall on page. 119, an extract from Thoughts on a Dog by Lisa Azarmi, founder of Ravenous Butterflies. Being the doting owner of a furry ball of Goldendoodle energy called Bertie, Lisa’s heart-felt words profoundly spoke to me.

Another joyous highlight, amongst many – Beatrix Potter’s charming reflections on retaining the spirit-world of childhood. Speaking to my inner-child, it completely resonates. The Spirit of Night painting combined with the text makes for the perfect composition.

There are many other notable sections dedicated to a plethora of emotions, which l shall happily leave you to explore at your leisure.

The journey finder in the opening pages, provides a playful navigation, inviting readers to travel, explore, and match emotions to a page – an endearing introduction to the book and its contents.

As the book’s introduction beautifully describes, ‘alchemy occurs when the images and text combine’ – An Apothecary of Art richly reflects this magical transformation in abundance.

May this illuminating book light up your path, teach and soothe you as much as it does me.

Purchase the book

Connect with Ravenous Butterflies

Warm thanks to Lisa for graciously accepting my invitation to share her beautiful book on my Looking Glass, creative inspiration blog. It is a joyous delight to shine a light on this carefully curated collection of art and literature.

An Apothecary of Art content has been shared in this post with kind permission from Ravenous Butterflies.

Photographs: Elizabeth Hitchman

#Meet the writer…

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It was on a wintry Sunday afternoon, when the #meetthewriter challenge came spinning into my creative sphere, “l think you might find this interesting” were the choice of words, from my equally fabulous book coach Tracy Stewart via an Instagram message.

My enthused-filled reply – “that sounds fun”… and it was!

For a joyous 15-days, with daily prompts guiding us along, best-selling author Beth Kempton invited writers to join her for a community challenge. The objective – to help your audience get to know you as a writer.

Alongside this compelling goal, it was Beth´s witty words set in parenthesis (…help take your writer identity seriously – go on, l dare you), which gave me the extra sparkle of encouragement, l mean if you´re going to dare me – l´m in!

The timing couldn´t have been better, as parallel to this challenge, l was participating in another challenge – Gabrielle Bernstein´s annual Manifesting Challenge, and also knee-deep in preparing for my first STIL workshop. All required me, to wear my writing hat, as well as my design beret.

Creativity on all levels was definitely at an all time high!

What a joy it was – sharing my view, handwriting, and inspirations, to name but a few of the marvellous prompts, encouraging me to share a glimpse into my (creative) writing world.

One of the insightful discoveries made during the challenge – l have always written. Since my graphic design student days, l have kept sketch notes and journaled in some form or another.

While the origins of my writings may have happened many shimmering moons ago, the enthusiasm has never left me – in fact it´s quite the opposite – blending rather perfectly with other creative projects. My soul feels nurtured as l continue to connect all these invisible threads.

Thanks to a universally aligned series of life events, for which l hold much gratitude and appreciation, my writing has grown, developed, and is blossoming, in ways l had never imagined.

lt feels rewarding to have participated in the #meetthewriter challenge, enabling me to share, express and have creative spontaneous fun – all rolled into 15 glorious writing posts! A richly fulfilling start to the year indeed!

Explore my Instagram #meetthewriter posts.

Discover STIL – my personal growth writings

On an autumnal note…

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The changing of the seasons and its ethereal beauty never ceases to ignite joy in my heart. It´s at this time of year that my daily walks on half-island Au take on an autumnal glow.

In walking distance of home, the nearby protected woodland makes for the perfect spot to embrace nature´s healing powers along with nurturing my creative spirit.

Daily walks within this beloved place has enabled me to blend my love for nature and artistic expression – leading me to gather these delicate fallen leaves and turn them into a collage. A visual record of autumn´s natural beauty.

May my post inspire you to enjoy this fleeting season of falling leaves, crisp morning air, vibrantly enriched by nature´s colour palette of tonal browns, yellows, oranges and reds.

Reflecting on my daily morning walks, l feel this quote from childhood favourite Anne of Green Gables fits perfectly – “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” – L. M. Montgomery.

Further reading recommendation which l find personally inspiring:

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

The Wild Remedy: How Nature Mends Us – A Diary by Emma Mitchell

Where do we go from here? – a thriller by Tracy Stewart, steeped in suspense…

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Summer provided the perfect time to step into the mysterious world of The Glass Key Trilogy.

Book One – Where Do We Go From Here? starts with the introduction to Ella, living alone in a secluded cottage, with a wide open opportunity to reinvent herself.

Despite the relaxed narrative of Ella walking along sand dunes, nestled within the rugged North England coastline – the juxtaposition of tension hints at the protagonist running away from something (or possibly someone), from her past.

The undertones of escapism, loneliness, and reminiscing, compassionately leads the reader to understand the attraction to rekindle a previous relationship – a connection, which after many years, still burns a desirous flame.

Before you know it, you´re whisked off to the enchanting hideaways of Paris. With the pace quickened, and espionage becoming centre-stage to the story, you can´t help but get swept up by the romance, mystery and thrilling suspense.

As Ella continues to solve another part of the puzzle, in her quest to find an elusive key, it certainly feels like the adventure has just begun.

Alongside the clever nod to the ´80s and ´90s, which raises a smile, the author´s love for the Parisian lifestyle, shines through, reflecting their knowledge of the city – noteworthy for its charm and intricate details.

This skillfully paced burner of a thriller, packed with secrets and intrigue, rapidly turns up the heat, leaving the reader with much anticipation of wanting more.

As suggested in the title, and upon turning the final page, l found myself eagerly questioning, Where do we go from here? …

l for one, can´t wait to read the second installment of The Glass Key Trilogy.

Where Do We Go From Here? by Tracy Stewart is published by SpellBound Books.

To discover more about Tracy, explore her FreshlyPress website

Where Do We Go From Here? can be purchased via Amazon.

On an author note, it is with much pleasure and delight, l introduce Tracy Stewart and her thriller novella series.

As my book coach, l feel honoured to be working with such a talented writer, editor, and author – a spellcaster of words.

To have Tracy´s support and guidance, as well as her encouraging thoughts on my own writing is humbling. A beautiful connection – mutually flowing with joyful creativity.

Launch of the STIL Web-shop

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Time seems to have flown by since writing my last post, introducing art, especially created for my book, Seeing The Invisible Line.

During the past month or so, l have been focusing on setting up the web-shop, and working with my local printers to prepare the STIL postcard collection.

Beautifully weaving art with uplifting STIL affirmations, l am thrilled to announce the launch of the shop, with a set of A6 postcards now available to buy online.

Blended with artistic expression, each card depicts a printed image of my hand-painted acrylic on watercolour art. As a former graduate from Edinburgh College of Art, working in the field of graphic design, it feels like a coming home of sorts, as l expand my creativity – creating art-based pieces for purchase.

Acting as an visually engaging accompaniment, and with the aim to widen the themes and topics expressed in my book, it has been a joy to design this postcard collection – enabling you, to share and send encouraging STIL art & affirmations, to your circle of friends, family and loved ones.

Enjoy browsing the online store – another exciting addition to the Seeing The Invisible Line website.

You may like to also explore the STIL blog, Instagram gallery, and playlist features – all created with the intention to stimulate personal growth, inspiration & creativity.

Take me to the STIL web-shop

My creative expression shining through Seeing The Invisible line…

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⁠ ⁠

It was during the early stages of writing my combined book and journal Seeing The Invisible Line, l visualized going into a dear friend´s art studio to paint pieces of art for both the book and social media.⁠ ⁠

With paint brushes and palette knife in hand, l have gone on to have immense fun creating paintings for you to enjoy – with the intention to further weave my own creative expression into Seeing The Invisible Line. ⁠ ⁠

It feels like an organic step in the process, to nurture my creative spirit…a “coming home”, enabling me to blend my creativity with my personal growth – two paths flowing to meet each other…⁠ ⁠

This artistic development has led to the creation of an affirmation card deck, and postcard collection which are currently in the making…so do keep a look out as they become available to purchase on my Seeing The Invisible Line website – where you can currently sign up for the STIL Monthly Connections newsletter.

In the meantime, you can view more of my art – blending my creative expression and personal growth by connecting on Instagram @seeingtheinvisibleline

Please feel welcome to also say hello and follow me on my personal account @elizabeth_hitchman

Art: Acrylic on watercolour⁠, 24x32cm⁠ / @elizabeth_hitchman⁠

A sprinkle of poetic prose…

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´Magic is cloaked under the blanket of gratitude´…

In 2019, following years of writing down thoughts and poetry, writer and poet, Maria Kouka was gifted a 1920´s typewriter by a loved one. This set her on the path of visualising her poems with a delicate, endearing and timeless approach.

Reflecting the fragility and beauty of the written word, this particular poem by Maria Kouka inspires me to wrap myself up in all that l am grateful for, all the richly blessings and magic that sprinkle my own precious life.

Maria warmly describes her goal…

´to connect with people through the power of my treasured words, and hope that they find comfort, healing, and inspiration through them; all whilst knowing that we share some of the same life experiences´.

The idea to connect with people through her poetry has led Maria to scatter her poems all over the London. An innovative spark of artistic and interactive brilliance which truly speaks to my creative soul!

You can discover more about the project – London Poetry Treasure, watch the related playful reel (Highlights/ Found poetry), and explore further prose, affirmations and quotes on Instagram. For original prints, personalised vows, and other artistic delights head to her website.

A plethora of prose and verse, to captivate the heart, magically awaits…

Richly embroidered memories…

Image | | seaglassvisuals

A photograph has the intense power to evoke a moment of long-gone by, a visceral connection to the past, and yet while we might not feel a personal connection to the person or people, we still have visual access to a story.

l discovered the thought-provoking work of calligrapher & fibre artist Han Cao via the eclectic and visually abundant social media platform Instagram, a scrolling moment led to a “Wow, now that is a unique and creative approach to embroidery”…wishing to see more l eagerly clicked ´Follow´.

Combining the handicraft and intricacy of embroidery and the papery fibres of antique photographs, long forgotten memories are given a breath of new life – with wit and soulful meaning.

The swirls of a steam train captured from a canyon scene become enchantingly surreal, as they move out and upwards above the edge of the fragile frays of a vintage postcard.

A gentleman’s suit is re-imagined, from black & white – blossoming into full bloom, while a May queen radiants in all her magnificent flowery splendour – inspired by the song ´Wildflowers´

Which nicely leads me to the pieces that l find most thought-provoking – the portraits…where faces have been exquisitely replaced by embroidery – and in some cases an explosion of colour. l felt compelled to dig deeper…Han Cao goes onto beautifully describe…

“My ´flower wife´ series which celebrates the life and beauty of women, who often appear secondary in photographs from the early 1900s. The flowers represent natural beauty, but also strength, as flowers return season after season in full bloom.“

As a creative who believes in the magic of story-telling, and the inner-connections that life weaves, l am truly captivated by the work of Han Cao.

l have high hopes you’ll be captivated just as much as l am…

Photo credit: Han Cao website / The flower wife seated (´flower wife´series)

Art & culture through a virtual lens…

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Thanks to CreativeMornings, and their vivid online community, l am happily discovering a wealth of virtual museums and interactive exhibitions.

Sharing the “virtual tours” link (via WhatsApp) to some like-minded friends subsequently led to a super suggestion to create a post “for all visual and creative people”. During these days of self-confinement, it feels timely to share a couple of “stand-out” platforms – to which you may feel compelled to further explore.

l am particularly finding Google Arts & Culture app highly insightful & innovative, with its extensive collection of museums, exhibits and interactive activities from around the world, including Monet: The Water Lily Pond, The National Gallery London. It is wonderful to be able to re-visit this captivating piece – online.

The British Museum London (in collaboration with Google) has created a impressive interactive piece which allows the viewer to explore a dynamic timeline of its collections. Via the medium of visual and audio, this site is best viewed as a desktop experience, and depicts a wide breadth of exhibits which can be explored at your own pace – beautifully enriching, it is definitely worth a virtual visit.

For someone who enjoys visiting art exhibitions on a regular basis, l am grateful that there are plenty of digitally based amusements to help me stay connected to the world of art and culture from the comfort of home – through this ever-evolving “virtual lens”.

Stay safe, stay healthy.

Gif source: giphy.com / Vincent Van Gogh ´The Starry Night´, 1889.