Hello! If you’re new around here, welcome! This post may be cut off at the end in some emails so best to enjoy it on the app or website.
This week I thought I’d do something I’ve never done before here: share a 35mins video in real time of some of the process behind this week’s visual journals. REAL TIME!!! A few reasons… I know some of you are curious and would love a slower pace - I get asked a lot how long these visual journal spreads take and I normally say that I try to keep it under 1hr. In this case, I took my time. You’ll hear me sneeze I’m sure. You might also hear my music in the background (today it was classical music). Also. I know the Timelapse is fast and gives the impression it’s easy and quick… I just want to share how slow (and lovely) this weekly carved out time actually feels like. As some of you know, I carve out time every Friday to do this and it’s become a complete joy, a real meditation and opportunity to reflect in a colourful, visual way the highlights of the week. It encourages thankfulness and in turn, in a very real way, encourages me to look differently at the world around me. This weekly ritual changes how I look at life!
The first video is below and I kept it as a Timelapse. Chronologically, the 2nd is the one that features above!
Highlights of my Week
my chat with Melissa Lakey while drawing birds LIVE on Substack on Thursday was delightful - watch the replay here
seeing 11 spaces booked up on my next retreat has been incredible, very thrilling
sketching trees at Clumber Park after a gorgeous picnic - we opted for the easy option of popping into the co-op shop on the journey there for some ham, cheese, two baguettes (I’ve developed a technique of breaking them in half to fit my rucksack), some crisps and French fancies - yum
on the walk back from school one day this week, I was tempted to check my emails on my phone while walking behind Ezra who was cycling but I clearly remember thinking I wouldn’t, that I’d rather notice things around me. And just then, Ezra stopped his bike and smiled at me, it was just a moment and was so sweet - so glad I resisted!
hands down one of the best snail mail ever came through my door this week from a club member which completely blew me away - the colours, the paper ephemera, the original pieces included… BLEW MY MIND!! And, made me wonder how I could include a snail mail option in the club
listening to Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson with my boys in the car (such a good beat, such great harmonies)
a morning spent with my friend Amy, we walked round a cute hamlet called Wiseton and had the best brunch at The Leys
last night’s Drawing Whimsical France session on Zoom, so many turned up to celebrate the launch of my new retreat in France in May 2027 - this replay will stay free to watch for 2 weeks
Retreat Announcement
The big announcement this week is that I will be teaching my 4th visual journaling retreat in May 2027, in the French Loire Valley. It’s been months of planning and I’m so glad to be at this point!
You can see all the whimsical details in this Uptrek link. I would love to see some of you there! Already 10 spots have been booked!
Drawing Whimsical France
Last night we had a lovely Zoom session drawing scenes of Paris, French chateaux and French still life to celebrate the launch of the retreat in France in May 2027. This post will stay free for all to rewatch for 2 weeks then it’ll go into the club archives.
Leaving you with this song I referred to Melissa Lakey in our call when talking about not yet finding the studio of my dreams! And when I rewatched after our chat, I couldn’t believe how many neons, signs and cowboys were featured in this video by U2. I shared the thought with Melissa Lakey and it’s been decided: we will have a drawing session based on this video in coming months!!
🍋 Carve out time to be creative with us in the club!
🍊 Catch more behind-the-scenes peeks over @helen.c.stark!
See you soon!
Helen xx
