Spring in the Creative Flock 🌸
Join us for a season of playful exploration, inspired by nature in springtime + free trials are back open!
Hello Friends,
Has spring arrived where you are?
Perhaps you’ve spotted the bright beacons of daffodils and crocuses along grass verges, or in your own garden. Maybe you’ve already had to dodge a sleepy bumblebee, lurching a little drunkenly through the air in search of nectar. Just yesterday, I had to duck to avoid being headbutted by one at head height, veering about, completely disoriented. Moments later, I found myself stopping abruptly to protect another, which was slowly crossing the pavement and warming itself on the tarmac. I apologised to a passerby for blocking her way (who I’m fairly sure thought I was completely bonkers). I do get very protective of bees at this time of year.
There’s a sense of everything stirring back to life after what has felt like a long, wet winter. Overnight, blossoms have appeared on the cherry trees near my home, a beautiful but fleeting sight. A single day of strong wind has already scattered delicate petals like confetti across the ground, but plenty remain, clinging on with determination. And today, I witnessed the beautiful sight of blooming apple trees, full of scented blossom and teeming with bees. Over the next week, i’ll be checking the trees often, gathering my fill of the sight and scent before the blossom fades.
The birdsong is growing louder by the day. Our one good-sized garden tree is becoming a busy hub of activity - pairs of blue tits, great tits, and wood pigeons all jostling for space, while the occasional jackdaw swoops in and unsettles the balance.
Ladybirds are reappearing in gangs, emerging from their winter rest in search of food and a mate. And, just a couple of evenings ago, I heard the unmistakable croak of a toad in my neighbour’s pond , a small but certain sign that spring has arrived.
With so much to notice, it’s easy to feel the urge to capture everything at once. But I’m reminding myself to slowly observe and enjoy the moments.
Aside from getting outdoors and soaking up the season, there’s a few projects I’m developing. I’m building ideas for in-person nature journaling workshops, and feeling drawn to explore moths and butterflies in my work, perhaps even setting up a moth trap (less ominous than it sounds!) to discover what visits the garden after dark. I’m also continuing to nurture my writing practice, having recently joined a writing group and partnered up with a fellow creative, we’re still in the early stages, and although I’m not yet sure where this will lead, I’m enjoying the process of exploring.
There are also a few long-standing projects I’d like to complete, a few new ones to work on and my website is in need of some attention (it always seems to slip down the list). I’m also looking to find an arts residency opportunity, something that aligns with my interests in nature and storytelling, ideally a secluded spot by a lake or in the woods. If you know of such a dreamy opportunity, please let me know! 😆
Plus, I want to make space for more real-life experiences, visiting galleries and art exhibitions more regularly, and seeking out new landscapes across the UK to explore. Just as importantly, I’ll be honouring my need for simple, restorative time in the studio. Time to make work that doesn’t need to be shared, and to step away from the online world when needed.
I hope you’ll join me in seeking out the creative joys of spring, and letting them gently fuel your energy and creative practice.
Join us in the Flock and stay inspired and connected this Spring.
If you’re ready to grow your confidence, take your practice to the next level, and feel supported and encouraged along the way, Spring is a beautiful time to join us. Or, you enjoy making art for yourself, and you just want a safe and supportive space to share and grow, you’ll find it in the Creative Flock.
To mark the new season, I’m offering a 14-day free trial, a chance to pop in, have a look around and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Here’s what members are saying about the Creative Flock:
Such an inspiring and supportive creative community - so refreshing to see creativity through different lenses! - Theresa
I love the Creative Flock! Emma gently guides us through the seasons, and it’s great to be part of a community of like minded people who love to connect with nature and each other through art. - Nicole
I’ve really loved being apart of Emma’s community, I can count on it being warm, inviting and supportive regardless of where I’m at with my work. It’s a space I’ve been grateful for and one that’s helped me keep moving forward. I’ve loved the show and shares and drawing sessions. - Bec
What’s planned for spring in the Flock
Each season, I provide creative resources, and gentle ways to let the season spark your creativity. From March to May, we’ll be celebrating Spring, exploring how the season can inspire and energise our creative practice.
We’ll be drawing inspiration from:
Hedgerows
Wild flowers
Trees
Foraging
New life and growth
Insects and wildlife, including bees, butterflies and moths
For Flock members there will be:
Spring-themed creative resources
Live drawing sessions (including co-sketching & monthly streams)
Playful, exploratory workshops
Cosy creative gatherings
Process videos & behind-the-scenes insights
Member-only chats and a supportive creative community
Flock members can access all content and sign up to all live sessions. Free subscribers can access some sessions as a pay-as-you-go. Check out the calendar for all upcoming live dates.
My monthly live stream is free for all, including the replay which you can find in the Free-to-Read library.
Plus, each Friday I invite the community to share good stuff from their week. Come over and join the friendly conversation! 💛
Members, head down the post to access details of all our live sessions and creative resources for spring:
Live session dates
Here’s what we have coming up so far, with more to be confirmed. I’ll keep this post updated and the luma calendar as new dates are added.
March
Tuesday 10th March, 2pm GMT - Co-Sketch session (Free for members or pay-as-you-go. Not recorded)
Join for an hour of quiet, uninterrupted golden time with your sketchbook or creative project. Sign up for Co-sketching
Thursday 12th March, 6pm GMT - Materials Play - Our popular, playful sessions are back! 🎉 (Free for members or sign up for this one session, pay-as-you-go. Recording available)
This playful, process-led session is an invitation to switch off your inner critic and simply explore. Inspired by nature-based photo collages, we’ll create abstract sketches using lines, textures, colours, and shapes, focusing on curiosity and experimentation rather than outcome. I’ll also share ideas for developing your work further, so you can take what you create beyond the session. Sign up for ‘Materials Play’
Thursday 19th March, 5pm GMT - Monthly, live stream. Theme of the session to be confirmed, keep an eye on your inbox for details.
These sessions are streamed live on Substack, you can sketch along with me, pop in with questions, or just relax and watch. Can’t make it live? No worries, a free replay will be available afterwards.
Link to join the live stream will be available soon. For now, sign up via the calendar to stay updated
Tuesday 24th March, 5pm GMT - Quick Chicks and Duck Families with Beth Spencer & the Introvert Drawing Club. (Members only. Recording available)
I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Beth again! Tying in with our spring theme, we’ll be sketching chicks and ducklings, with a few extra feathered-family-members joining the fun 🦆
Sign-up link will be sent out to members
(We won’t have a Show & Share this month as I wanted to mix it up the offerings with the materials play sessions, but we have one planned for the 21st May. Sign-up link will be sent out to members.)
April
Wednesday 15th April, 6-7pm GMT - Artist talk & Q&A: David Begely
£12 (£8 for members). Recording available.
I’m very excited to welcome special guest artist David Begely for an upcoming talk. David is a visual artist, writer, film maker, botanical ink and charcoal maker, and an arts educator, based in Wexford, Ireland. He works through drawing, painting, monotype, video, sound, and animation.
David will share his journey as an artist, along with the inspirations and ideas behind his work. The talk will conclude with a Q&A, offering you the chance to ask your own questions.
Booking link and further details coming soon.
Tuesday 21st April, 7pm GMT - Ways of drawing spring blooms, with Pauline from Creative Cocoon Art Club. (Members only. Recording available)
Excited to be collaborating with Pauline again! 🌸
In this session, we’ll explore spring blooms through colour, line, shape, and paper collage. You can use our photo references, or bring your own flowers or images to draw.Further details coming soon, sign-up link will be sent out to members.
