On Saturday, I escaped.
I went up to Cumbria, to the Lake District for the day with my other half who had a job to do in Kendal. It seemed terribly frivolous, leaving the Little One to stay with her Grandparents, abandoning the daily routine, laundry, chores (all the normal stuff), to head off to the great hills and peaks. It took a good hour or so before I could begin to enjoy the journey becaue it's not very often that I take off without planning or warning you see, I'm a gal who likes to be organised! But on Saturday I discovered that deep down I'm still a gal who loves spontaneity and adventure!
So we journeyed up country, and as you get further north leaving the industrial towns and cities behind you - something magical happens to the landscape.
It starts to undulate, become rounded, greener, richer looking (yes, even in the winter). The sky was bright blue, the sun rose higher and in the distance, unmistakable in their timeless majesty stood the snowy peaks of the Lakeland hills. It was breathtaking, so very beautiful - unspoilt, untouched.
Once we arrived at Kendal, I found the station and took a little train to Windermere...there is something very exciting about jumping on a train I think, it signifies escape and adventurous happenings.
Dark clouds were accumulating as I made my way down to the lakeside, so that treasure of a view I saw of the bright white peaks against that cerulean blue sky never made it onto camera.
But it still looked impressive non the less, in its brooding winter colour palette of white, grey-blue, russet and charcoal.
Lake District Love (on the side of one of the wooden huts by the waters edge)
Being in or by nature, and away from it all is sometimes a necessary tonic, especially when your Mojo (read inspiration) has taken a hike some place and you have no enthusiasm to create anything. It could be because it's been a long time since I really painted anything what with Christmas, being busy with orders and a commission...it happens sometimes, when life has been full of other things.
Those big views and huge mountain peaks helped something settle inside though, that part of me that had been feeling frustrated about the lost enthusiasm, the missing inspiration. I knew in a second that when the time was right it would all come back. Then I was able to relax.
On the train travelling back to Kendal, I found myself taking out my little Moleskine - I found myself writing things down and I smiled. The Mojo was returning. All it had needed was a little rest, a little break - just space to breathe and gather itself together again.
And as the train rattled east, the clouds cleared, revealing snow topped peaks against that bright blue sky...you can just make them out in the distance if you look. I suppose it's a metaphor...if we just let things be without the worry and anxiety, it all comes clear again...eventually.
I'm looking forward so much to sharing some new work with you over the next few weeks. If you've popped by today, thank you so much for reading ~ it's always a pleasure to have your company.
I'd love to hear what you do when your Mojo leaves town...how do you deal with the frustrating bits, when the creative well runs dry and nothing seems to work?
Will you let me know? You know I'd love to hear from you :)
Sending love
Have a great day
Julia x
