The Coloured Pencil Chronicles | Chapter Seven | July

My goodness, what a busy month! This one has possibly been the busiest one yet! Scroll down to find out what's been going on in my coloured pencil life...

Coloured Pencil Retreat

I was incredibly lucky this month to be able to host my very first Coloured Pencil Retreat, and what a wonderful week it was! I was joined by 13 other amazing coloured pencil artists, and we took over the White Bear Hotel in Masham for four fabulous days. We found time for lots of drawing, chatting, a few emotional moments and some really fabulous food. It wasn't all about coloured pencils, I invited my yoga instructor along, so we all have a wonderfully calming yoga session together, I did one-to-ones with everyone that joined me so we could really focus on their individual artwork and give it the attention it deserved, and I even had time to squeeze in a couple of confidence sessions! 

I have to say, it was such an enjoyable week. Being able to spend time with people who share my passion for coloured pencils is so uplifting and, by the end of the week, I don't think any of us wanted to go home! 

Super Simple Coloured Pencil Course

I launched my new beginners' course at the beginning of the month and I've already seen lots of people buying the course and getting started on their coloured pencil journey. I've seen some brilliant artwork popping up on social media too as people work their way through the modules. 

It's fabulous being able to help people at such an early stage as, after spending so many years drawing with coloured pencils, you can forget how important some of those basic principles are. 

Podcasts

Would you believe it, It's A Bonny Old Life is already on its 22nd episode! My goodness, how the time flies! This month, I've had some amazing guests join me on the podcast. I was joined by money mentor and author, Denise Duffield-Thomas, who shared some amazing insights on the way we think about and spend money.

I sat down with style-expert and consultant, Sarah Gray, who shared her tips on how to be true to yourself, learn to love and accept the person you see in the mirror and how to boost your body confidence.

Jessica-Liz, an incredible young artist, came along to give us all the inspiration and words of wisdom we've been looking for, whilst also sharing the exciting story of how she was commissioned for a piece that would be gifted to Hilary Clinton.

And last, but definitely not least, is Louise Baldock, the financial expert and business warrior we all need in our lives, who has helped my business immeasurably, and who has incredible advice for anyone running a business or starting a business. 

Academy Planning

We're getting very close to the Academy opening to welcome new members, so it's full steam ahead for me and my team as we get everything organised. You'd be surprised at how much goes on behind the scenes! It's planning meetings galore, and I've had so much proof reading to do that I'm cross eyed! It's a good thing I've got a great team on hand to help me out! 

If you still haven't signed up to the Academy waiting list, make sure you do before it opens on 5th September: [LINK]

Holiday

And finally, I found time this month to take a break from my drawing board and spend some much-needed time with my lovely family. We spent a week in Corfu, soaking up the sun, lounging by the pool, eating fabulous food and surviving my interesting attempts at driving on the other side of the road! 

I'll tell you, I absolutely love drawing and spending time with my members in my live sessions, but it was great to take a week off, enjoy some relaxing time with my children, and just put my feet up! In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I've already booked the next holiday! 

To find out more about what I've been getting up to this month, click on the video at the top of this page. There, I share all the details, plus a few extra things that have been going on in my crazy coloured pencil life.