"Contentment'- Wild Flower Painting

Title:        'Contentment'

Size:           61x91cm (36”x24”)

Medium:   Oil & acrylic on canvas in white tray frame

About this painting: 'Contentment' is a calm & relaxing painting of the simple wild cow parsel so prevalent in the local hedgerows & meadows. these vignettes created by Nature inspire me & bring moments of silence & quiet in the mind. Thr painting holds soft tones of blues & greens with terracotta shades. It exudes a feeling of calm & rest.

In a world ever more challenging, it is so important to find contentment in small things.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everywhere you look there is difficult news. Whether we acknowledge it to others or not, or even to ourselves. It manifests in many ways both physically & mentally. So looking after ourselves is vital.

In a busy life we can’t always get away or do big things to care for ourselves. But we can do small things, daily to create a feeling of contentment & well being.

Making decisions which work for us rather than to please others can feel selfish, but we are no good to them if we are ragged & tired. Taking moments throughout the day to check in on how we feel & make little changes can add up to clear the mind & relax the body.

Punctuating the day with little breaks, sitting quietly to enjoy a cuppa or lunch, rather than having it in the hop. Stopping for a moment & going outside to take some deep breaths or just to look at the sky. Noticing the beautiful things around us which we bypass in our rush. Tuning in to things which make us laugh or sharing a few words with a friend. Tiny things can add up alleviate tension & put a good slant on a day..

Over the weekend attending a party felt like the polite thing to do, but realising that the effort of small talk with strangers would be exhausting, I chose to snuggle under a fluffy blanket & watch a funny movie. I went with what felt right rather than what was expected of me. Taking 30mins to sit outside with a salted caramel latte on the terrace, watching the wind dance through the wild flowers brought a sense of ease which carried me into my day.

I find contentment in small things, cherish them as if they were jewels & they make the path through life much easier. Sprinkling life with moments of peace & tranquility, lightness & beauty brings the ability to be content & walk easier through the rest.

For me, the deepest contentment is found with a brush in my hand & colours dancing on canvas. Translating the little vignettes of quiet in Nature into a painting. Little things bring big pleasures.