Long Awaited Dream

Spring Posy 2018

Original watercolour by Jean Haines

Copyright @jeanhaines

As I write this blog post I feel very emotional because I have kept a secret for a while apart from telling a few friends and artists on my recent travels.

From the time I was a child there has always been a book on my mind that I would love to write. I couldn't, as an unknown author, approach a publisher with my dream because they would not have taken me on in all probability.  Not at that point in my journey. But now my dream is coming true as the book I have always wanted to write is actually my new art project. I am thrilled. As are my publishers who are coming to my cottage next week for the first meeting ahead of photography, filming and project schedule planning. 

Writing this book is something my heart has always wanted to do. The artists who have inspired my brushwork will be who I am honouring with my next publication. I would like them to look down on me and be proud of my teaching in this book, my step by step demonstrations in it, my inspirational guidance so that readers feel my passion and of course the finished book when it is complete.

I am setting myself a huge task within the pages of my next literary adventure as I want all the work in it to be so fascinating so that every reader will be racing for their brushes after turning each new page.

To ensure that this new book really does see my dream come true I am going to do something I have never done before and that is allow myself time to paint and write minus distraction. In the past I have always juggled teaching, exhibitions and workshops and fitted my writing in between each event. But now I want to see what I can achieve as an artist painting just for me , for my book and for the future readers of it.  I really have never put my writing first but I have loved every single publication I have written until now. But this book is special to me. It is dear to my heart and it deserves my full attention.

It will be published in 2018 and workshops next year will carry glimpses of the journey held within each page.

I have a lot in me that has been waiting for so long to be shared.

This is going to be a gorgeous book.

My workshops will be on hold until Fall of this year. As I focus completely on writing. But the workshops I hold after this time will be packed with energetic and enthusiastic demonstrations.

I believe we owe it to ourselves as artists to give ourselves time for personal growth otherwise our teachings risk becoming repetitive and boring. My workshops , I know, are anything but boring but I want to pack more into them and I am taking time out to plan my next courses for 2018 so that they too are highly inspirational.

By taking this teaching break turning to writing I am thinking of all the artists who come to me and have done over the years. In the past the minute I put my workshop dates up  for UK each year my courses sell out within hours. I am honoured that they do. My workshops in USA are now very popular also. And I want to keep them this way by being the best artist I can be , constantly bringing something new and exciting to each session.

This time out will ensure I do just that.

I will be sharing on my blog and hopefully inspiring here as often as possible, giving artists tips and encouraging my blog followers to try new products and techniques too.

For now, wish me luck as I leap into my next book with that wonderful "butterfly" feeling in my tummy and an excitement level that pushes me to amazing new heights in watercolour.

The first page is written. 

From here my  journey really begins.

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