Fireworks and a November Reboot

Plus a lot of reading and watching films

Hello,

I say it every time we move into a new month but how is it November already?! I hope you’ve had a good week.

It was Bonfire Night last night, so there were lots and lots of fireworks going off. Oliver used to be terrified of them, but over the past two years he’s become much better and even wanted to go out for the evening walk. I’ll never fully understand autism, but that’s part of the fun of living with Oliver , there’s never a dull moment.

October Flip Through

I posted a new video going through my October pages in my daily journal. I’m still struggling with speaking on YouTube. I’m hoping it will start to feel more natural but I do enjoy making videos.

Gouachevember

November started with me in a bit of an art funk. You know those times when you paint something, it doesn’t go well, and you question your whole existence? Dramatic much? 🤣

This was my Day One image for Gouachevember, Mushroom. (Hosted by @gouachevember on Instagram) I wanted to try a more illustrative style of art, but I wasn’t happy with it.

So, back to basics with some mini paintings instead! I’m much happier working smaller and on better paper. Still struggling to get good contrast in gouache, though.

Morning Art Journal Pages

My “non-thinking,” fun mixed-media journal pages always bring me joy.

Art Hang Party

I haven’t managed to do an Art Hang Party with

Melissa Martin

in a while but the theme of graves fitted in so well with my daily journal I couldn’t resist adding them in.

Inspiration

I can hear you saying, “Louise, what got you out of your art funk?” I think it was Char from

BSA Club

returning from her trip to Italy, where she hosted an art retreat. (Really wishing I could travel but as a full time carer I couldn’t be away for long). I find the hour when she paints live on YouTube so inspiring. It always makes me want to paint. Her lives are at 12 p.m. UK time, so I often relax and watch while eating my lunch.

Reading

• The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith (book 8 in the Cormorant Strike novels) – I really enjoyed it but it very long. I’m so invested in the Strike/Robin relationship, though I found the actual investigation plot a little confusing.

• The Shining by Stephen King – I’m about 60% of the way through and loving it. I love a reading challenge and was wondering if it would be possible to read all Stephen King novels in a year. I asked ChatGPT, and he doesn’t think it’s possible 🤣

• Carrie by Stephen King – Listening to this one on audio (I’ll probably try to read them all 😂).

• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë – So close to finishing, but honestly, I haven’t enjoyed it. I just don’t like the characters!

Watching

I’ve watched quite a few new-to-me films this week:

• The Great Escape – Enjoyed this one.

• Vera Drake – Really enjoyed it; great cast, though gritty subject matter.

• A House of Dynamite – Great first half, but I have nothing good to say about the ending.

• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Good, but very confusing.

• Hitchcock – Interesting look at the making of Psycho, but the casting didn’t feel quite right.

Knitting

I’ve been knitting a lot on the Litmus Cowl, using up so many of my scrap yarns.

So it’s been a pretty good week overall, and I’m looking forward to doing more of the Gouachevember prompts alongside Char and the Blue Shine Art community.

Take care,
Louise xx