I made this paper while at uni, so it's likely 18 years old. All these years I have kept it – partially because it was painstakingly made from artichoke pulp that I cooked down in my studio apartment, but mostly because I knew it would be a part of something more beautiful one day. Well, maybe that day has arrived. I carefully sliced each piece and began weaving delicately. The fibers were so brittle but the effect of the layering is lovely. Check out this process...

Swatches have been ordered and, once approved by yours truly, will be available on Spoonflower! (Check them out here.)

Since the move commenced I have found it difficult to cultivate the creative energy to create. So much of my energy has gone into snipping the small threads that make up our lives in England and rethreading them in America, all while ensuring the whole piece didn't unravel. My mind felt a bit numb and I took my time with extra self-care, extra family time, and careful planning.

​All of that changed last week. While my supplies has been gently waiting to be used, I rode the creative wave found last week and out came a colorful piece depicting oranges on their tree. The process was fluid and organic, pure emotion pouring onto canvas through guache.

While the piece is not completed (is any piece ever really done?) I wanted to share. Still need to add some darker blue hues and some very light highlights. Maybe it's just what you needed to get your creative energy flowing again, too.

It's official – we have moved. Our belongings are currently crossing an ocean. In 2015 we moved away from the Washington, DC area as two and are now returning back as a family of four. The landscape of fresh, green trees and concrete-and-glass cities make us feel at home already.

While my supplies is being shipped, I'll be sharing new finds on Pinterest. I'm making plans to re-engage the studio and my art practice now that this major hurdle of internationally moving has been cleared. Part of this will be reintroducing Instagram. My previous account featuring art was a personal account and has been made so again, so a new fresh account will be in the making.

Feels good to be back on track, friends.

When my eldest was younger, she forged a relationship with our dog. Watching this friendship unfold was so special. I started sketching what it might evolve into in a few years. These are now factually true sketches which once were a daydream. Drew in quick sketches at first but the two-tone watercolor was needed to add the binary relationship of excitement and warmth (yellow) with the comfort and calm (blue). These five are a sampling of a collection.

Scottish countryside view from the train.

Always enjoy making the PTG event posters!

Created a fun fair poster for our schools PTG team to promote an end-of-the-year fun day. Using a free download for the tents, I cleaned up the illustrations and changed the palette, added the bunting and laid atop the background. Vibrant colors called attention and the turn-out was wonderful. A fun day indeed!

All art is ©Ashley Stuart and may not be used without explicit permission.