"Sasha harding is an artistic genius!"

There’s an eye-catching headline (more on that later)!

I’ve decided I’m not going to mention the C word, but instead am going to focus on what I’ve been up to recently from the comfort of my studio. Spring is always an exciting time of year, with the prospect of exhibitions, private views and a general upturn in sales. This spring I have had to change my expectations but there is still plenty to be excited about.

• Number One: I have a whole spare room full of paintings that I have been working on all winter. There is something comforting about having so much work around me, it takes the pressure off.
• Number Two: Speaking of pressure, for the first time in decades I have no deadlines. I can’t tell you how amazing this feels, instead of the constant need to crack on, I’m finding time to just potter, drink tea in the garden, hang out with the dogs and my husband Jack, stare out of my studio window for long minutes…
• Number Three: I’ve discovered a lovely walk from my house along deserted back roads, with primroses and magnolias in flower lining the verges.
• Number Four: I’ve got the time now to plan an epic journey around Britain in our newly acquired camper van. I’ve been poring over motor home magazines and jotting down places to visit. If I get too excited about the prospect I'll sit in the back of the van and daydream or sit in the driver's seat and pretend I’m on the motorway heading for Scotland. It's all there, waiting.
• Number Five: I’ve decided to paint an illustrated animal alphabet, something I’ve wanted to do for years (the first, an alpaca, is below).
• Number Six: I’m looking forward to the arrival of tadpoles in our pond and watching Peanut (my miniature sausage dog) bark at them.
• Number Seven: I’ve been giving away free watercolours on Instagram and I’m looking forward to doing more over the next weeks and months and also doing a giveaway on my website.

So there we are, exciting times indeed.

Finally, the most exciting thing of all, the author Bill Bryson, has happily agreed for me to use his superb quote "Sasha Harding is an artistic genius!" in reference to my book A Brush With The Coast. Being the legend he is, he even went as far as to show a copy of my book to his agent and publisher. I exchanged a number of emails with him and had to keep pinching myself that I was actually corresponding with BILL BRYSON!

Lots to be thankful for.
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Stay safe everyone, I’ll try to blog a bit more - I don’t have an excuse not to now.

Sash