Steps of Faith
It’s been go, go, go since getting back from Australia just after Christmas. I had an amazing time there and loved every second. It’s completely different to any place I have been to before – the heat, the climate, the wildlife, the way of life – it’s just all so different. I can’t wait to go again and it made me appreciate just how much I love travelling and experiencing new cultures. We are so lucky aren’t we, that in these current times we can just hop on a plane and be on the other side of the world in 24 hours? Even 100 years ago travelling to the other side of the country would have been considered a huge adventure. It does make me wonder in another 100 years where will we be travelling and considering it normal? My mind boggles…
It was a shock to the system though coming back and being entrenched in the house, for what seemed like weeks. It was when we had the incessant wind and rain that just wouldn’t go away. The house was taking a battering and it was difficult to step outside the door, let alone resume normal ‘creative’ duties. For days the wind was howling and it felt like Groundhog Day, with jet lag and flu thrown into the mix too! But pass it did and now I am back up to full speed and excited for what lies ahead this year.
Firstly, I am getting a sign put in the garden to officially designate Haven House as a place where people can visit and browse my work. It will officially put me on the map, not just as an artist, but a gallery too. This is the first of many steps towards my goal of owning a commercial premises for people to enjoy the Haven House Art experience. Like I have said before, I paint and I love painting but I have so many other things I want to grow into as well.
Secondly, I now even have a greater following on social media and every day this grows, which means I now have international exposure. For those of you who don’t live in the UK I will be making it easier for you to purchase. I will be adding a currency converter to the shop section of my website so that wherever you are in the world you can purchase a piece of Haven House Art.
Thirdly, I am expanding my stock range even further. If you follow me on Instagram – Haven House Art you will see that I love taking photos when I am out and about in the beautiful Highlands.I post on Instagram daily so do follow me if you would like more updates. I am planning on creating a range of products with these images. So please do watch this space.
Fourthly, I have started a series of spiritual animal drawings because it is something I am drawn to and it gives me something to work on when the light dips (still quite early at the moment) and I will be producing them as cards. It’s refreshing for me to be doing something quite varied to what I normally produce. Again – watch this space!
And lastly (for now) I am working on several commissions, all completely different, which I will enjoy showing you in the future. This is one of my pre-Christmas commissions. A glen in the Highlands to remind the customer’s parents of the place where they grew up.
Yes it is true – there is simply not enough time in the day, and being an impatient Aries I want it all now! But how many times have I told myself that it’s not the giant leaps, but the little steps that count? I still count my blessings and rub my eyes. Who knew 7 years ago, when I took that leap of faith to leave the commercial world and the security of a permanent job that it would lead me here?
I am writing stories again in my spare time (!!) and the other day I was wondering where the idea of a short story was leading me. “Follow it”, I heard my heart say, so I did. I let my imagination lead me to the end. But my mind was telling me that’s not how you write stories – you need a beginning, a middle, an end, and a plan – you must plan. But my heart knows, it always knows and it guides me every day. It will take me to the very end of my story. I can go anywhere my imagination takes me and that is exciting.
I urge you to do the same – follow your dreams, wherever they may take you. You may not have a clue how to get there or how it is all going to unfold, but as long as you take the first step you are heading somewhere and God will do the rest. Trust me – it’s what is happening to me!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
Until next time,
Lisa Weller xx
Inspiring Art from the Heart of the Scottish Highlands