Margarette

I’ve had this idea haunting me for a while: a still life made entirely of objects that somehow represent me.

So, I went for it.

A dummy for motherhood. A teddy bear for lost innocence. A glass of wine for long conversations and good company. And lots of colour and pattern because… well, that’s just me in a nutshell.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the objects we surround ourselves with, and becoming increasingly attached to mine — the pen I bought to celebrate my first teaching position, the handmade vase I fell in love with at a market, the completely insignificant little things that somehow carry a whole memory inside them.

Maybe that’s also why I chose The Objects Around Us as our drawing theme this month. Because, they’re right there! No need to wait for ✨INSPIRATION✨ to strike.

But also because a mug isn’t always just a mug…our objects carry memories, people, places, tiny pieces of who we are.
And I want to draw mine!
Otherwise, what’s the bloody point?!

Hmmm…

There was supposed to be an At the Studio Table live yesterday. But there wasn’t.

I had everything ready. I had even been writing yesterday’s Substack post while Diogo slept, and feeling rather pleased with myself for managing to squeeze art into another little crack in the day.

And then he woke up, VERY unhappy.

There were lots and lots of tears, as there were cuddles and just sitting beside him trying to figure out what was wrong. There was absolutely no universe in which I was going to say, “Right! Mummy has a livestream now, good luck everyone!”

Even an hour later, when things were finally calmer, I looked at the clock and thought… I could still do it! But I didn’t. Because there was a very real possibility that he would need me again. And I didn’t want to spend an hour drawing with one ear permanently listening for him in the next room.

So the camera stayed off, an the page stayed blank for a while. It took all the strength in me to, eventually, pick up a pencil and sketch a little.
So, today, there are no big art insights to share, since that’s what happened at the studio table yesterday.

Not much, perhaps…but I think I’m going to count the blank pages too. They’re as much a part of the story as the rest.

Art feeds life, and life feeds art. Back and forth, all the time.

A cup on the table, a walk somewhere new, a tired afternoon, a colour I suddenly notice, something someone said, something I almost forgot — it all finds its way in somehow.

I don’t think art happens separately from life. It grows out of it. And then, somehow, making art changes the way I look at everything else too. I notice more, remember more, pay more attention.

Maybe that’s the whole thing, really: we live, we notice, we make, and then we go back into life noticing it a little differently. And repeat. 🤍

Starting in 2m. Grab a pencil and join, today’s theme is all about the solar eclipse, and, of course, sailor moon 🥹🤭😍🙌🏻

Well… this is happening. 🥹

At the end of August, I’ll be in Antwerp presenting at ITAC8 — Louder Together.

Seeing my face on an actual “I’M PRESENTING” poster makes the whole thing suddenly feel VERY real. And mildly terrifying. 😂

I’ll be sharing my work, my research and some of the ideas I’ve been obsessing over around drawing, creativity and arts education — with people from all over the world. No pressure whatsoever. 🫠

Mostly, though, I’m ridiculously excited. And proud. And still slightly in disbelief that this is a thing I get to do.

Antwerp, I’m coming. 🇧🇪🤘🏻

(Apparently as an international presenter. Who allowed this? 😂)

Blheh…

Duck adventures with early in the morning!
The last one looks especially shy… so cute ✨

Há uns dias, cometi um grande crime. O derradeiro crime de verão. Ali, no meio do areal da lagoa de Albufeira, mesmo à frente de toda a gente.

Eu comi uma bola de berlim com recheio que NÃO ERA CREME DE OVO 🤯🫪🫣

Perdoem-me todos os tradicionalistas da bola de berlim, porque eu sei que é difícil aceitar que a bola de Berlim pode ser tão maravilhosa com outros recheios, além do creme de ovo, mas guys, acreditem, é possível e as anda com a prova às costas todos os dias.

No meu caso, foi com recheio de maçã e canela, e p***a pá, fiquei a chorar por mais.

Parece que tenho que visitar a lagoa de albufeira mais vezes…e a Sandrinha também. Até mereceu um spread completo no meu sketchbook, a duas mãos. 😮‍💨 as pequenas coisas da vida são mesmo as melhores. E tu, que recheios já provaste?