Making art

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

Any type of art.

I love painting (oils, watercolour, acrylic) , drawing, digital art, printmaking, pastel and charcoal drawing. Pottery, jewellery making, creating fused glass. Collage, scenery painting, illustration, photography and more.

I’ll try and do anything once. I’ve even tried drawing with boot polish and had a go at melted wax art. (I’m quite old and don’t like getting bored). Even had a go at brass rubbing once!

Singing

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

I love singing.

When I’m anxious it helps regulate my breathing. Concentrating on the music makes my heart swell with joy when we get it right. Time seems to flow. Music and song are so simple, so inate to being human. It brings joy to my friends too. We got together to sing for a friend recently. I’ve not included my friends faces because I haven’t asked their permission to use their images.

That’s the thing about anxiety, so many rules to remember and think about. What can I do? What should I do? But singing calms me, pulls my mind up and out of bad feelings. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of coping with anxiety. If you can take the first step and keep singing. X

Listening to birdsong

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

He often sits up in the tree

Ot atop a chimney pot

He starts to sing

His voice raised

In skirls and slides

Whistles and trills.

Old blackbirds sing longer

And better, complications

Added each year.

Attracting and announcing

Territory and partnership.

His music gives me joy

Taking the time to listen

Releases peace,

Simple and sweet.