So long October

I went searching for the last signs of floral colour in a hidden secret garden, and I was lucky enough to find them in the form of endless hazy rows of lavender, lavishly decorated pansies, dahlias, sweet peas and spindly bouquets of forget-me-not. The trees were already nearly bare of their amber leaves, but a colour injection was more than welcome with the frosty days and darker evenings, which have already arrived. I'm already waiting patiently for the return of spring and summer, when I can begin my botanical pressing once again. 

It's in the details

A brief photographic snippet of an autumn morning in Dublin. My morning walk inspires me for the day, and the magnificent changes of colour feel like an invigorating jolt to the senses. 

The trapped autumn leaves under the rippling water were my very first inspiration for my resin work (minus the nosey swan). I've always been fascinated by such a seemingly insignificant detail to most people, but it always struck a chord with me. I felt like there was another world encapsulated beneath and waiting to be explored. That is true inspiration to an artist; a reference from nature, not from another person or their body of work. Stop for a moment and observe them; a play of light through autumnal leaves, outstretched shadows crawling across the landscape or a leaf caught beneath a puddle of rain. Little details in life can manifest into wonderful tangible works of art captured through the eyes and creativity of a true artist.

In my hands

October is finally here; my favourite month. Not only was I born in October (which entitles me to love it even more) it also radiates a dazzling spectrum of colours, and possesses a palpable sense of 'hygge'. Furthermore, it marks the end of the foraging season for me. The next few weeks will be a busy time stocking up.

Wherever I go I'm always scanning my surroundings for that one exquisite find. Mother Nature is my supply closet, and I usually end each day with a handful of curiosities from her seasonal collection. Here's a few of those treasures; from blackberries, acer seeds, hawthorn berries to the first fallen autumn leaves.