Friday 31 January 2014

My Watercolour Diary


On 1st February 2013, I started a Watercolour Diary. I was inspired my an artist called Trisha Thompson Adams, who had completed a 366 page sketchbook the previous year. It was a truly lovely idea, and all her paintings were just amazing! However, I didn't realise until I started this project, just how much determination it would take. At the beginning, I was feeling quite uninspired, probably to do with it being January, the most depressing month of the year. I needed something that would pick me up, and keep me creative. And, so my watercolour adventure began…


Every night for 366 days, I painted a watercolour that summarised my day. Whether, it be something I did, ate, drank, saw, wore, bought, felt, heard, or even, dreamt. Every one of those watercolours is a personal symbol to me. It's so nice, because I can look at almost any of the paintings, and they will prompt the memory that came when painting it.  I can go back to that very day. It’s such a great way of remembering my year...

On completing every painting, I photographed it and uploaded it to my Instagram (@Florafricker). Next, I scanned it to my computer, and, uploaded it to my Watercolour Diary tumblr. And, finally, I stuck each one to my bedroom wall. I must have gone through at least 6 packets of blue tac.. But, my room is now like a “Gallery Of My Year”. I'm surrounded by my memories. And, wowee, it’s all so, colourful.



This was such a challenge. There were many, many times, when I felt like giving it all up, and sometimes I forgot what the whole point was. But, I continued to remind myself that, at the end I will have this amazing array of paintings, and a huge image bank of my own inspirations. And, I started it because I wanted to keep being creative, and to prove that I am a very self- motivated  and determined person, and this has proved to me that if you want something, then you have to work at it, and eventually…. it will come.


So what now? I will be keeping the paintings on my wall for a while. And, I plan to make a book of all my watercolours. Something, to show the grandchildren. I, also have a huge image bank, so I can go back to my watercolours and develop them further. I also want to thank my Mum and Dad for their patience, as we spent many evenings wondering what I was going to paint. So, thank you!

I couldn't have achieved this without my Winsor & Newton watercolour paints, they've lasted so well. And, my Fabriano paper. I definitely recommend them!


I hope you enjoy looking through my WatercolourDiary. But most of all, I hope that I have inspired you in some way.

Flora x

4 comments:

  1. This is really wonderful. I love your paintings, they are so colourful and special. Now I'm thinking of doing the same for the next 365 days which would be really interesting because 2014 is going to be a year full of change. And it would be nice to practice a lot - I just started painting.
    Thanks a lot for sharing your art and for the inspiration.
    Anna.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Anna! I'm so happy that I've inspired you. I'd love to see your paintings, and good luck :)

      Flora x

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  2. Beautifully brilliant, Flora! You are an inspiration to us all. x

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Thankyou so much for commenting, they make my day! ♥

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