So, a few weeks later than I had hoped, the printers are finally printing my book! The last few weeks have been the most difficult of the whole self-publishing process but things are now moving. Yesterday I popped into the printers to see how it all works - it was odd to see my images everywhere and fascinating to see all the different stages.

​After Easter I'm going to send out an email with all the book details and how to pre-order a copy... not long now!

So, only a few more weeks to go before the big event!! Everyone who has signed up for my mailing list will get an email as soon as my book is available to buy, so keep an eye on your inbox! It's going to sell for £40 plus p&p and for that you get a whopper of a book and hundreds of pictures plus a good read and I will sign every one!! There will be a book launch at Waterstones in Truro in April and I will keep you all informed about the dates nearer the time.
As I've mentioned, all the images from the book will be available to buy at my Open Studio event in May (again, details will follow).
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In the meantime, here are a few more images to whet your appetite...

I'm dipping a toe into the world of social media and as a start I'm going to put an image from my book onto Instagram every day for a few weeks... follow me if you'd like to keep up to date (my username is sashamayharding)!

Here is another chapter from the book (click on the image to open up the pdf). This month has flown by; I have got into a real routine that's based on walking the dogs and working on the book. It is one of those projects that you have to take a day at a time, a chapter at a time in order not to be overwhelmed by the amount of work involved! Having said that I am still loving working on it. It is a fluid process and I am adding and taking out images as I go along.

I met up with Amy last week and we went through the first 20 chapters. We're going to get them printed so I can properly see how it is going to look. A computer screen is a far cry from holding something physical and quite often you can see things that don't work that you missed when looking on a screen.

I've had a brilliant month working on the book. The sheer range of subject matter in each chapter is really firing my imagination and I cannot wait to get up every morning and get cracking! In fact, this whole project has revitalised how I feel about painting and being an artist. I think it's easy to get stuck in a rut, and stepping out of your comfort zone can be a very good thing.

So far I'm up to chapter 27 of 52. Amy - the designer helping me put it all together - brought round the first ten chapters all printed out last week and it was fantastic to be able to hold it in my hands and turn the pages!
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If you'd like a sneak preview of the first chapter, click on the image to open up a pdf version. I'll share one or two more chapters as I go on, so watch this space!

Finally I'm working on my book, and it's the most wonderful feeling to be doing something so creative – from working out what to paint, what medium to use and how it is all going to fit together. I love the freedom of doing a project of my own – no deadlines, just total immersion – and the enjoyment of creating something to be proud of.

Here are a few images of Jess (my dog). As my sidekick on the walk, she's a central part of the book and I wanted to do her justice. To start with I couldn't get her face – it was too masculine – but lots and lots of sketches later I got it! The finished watercolour is Jess to a tee and I'm thrilled with it (I bought a lobster to draw from and then ate it for supper - one of the perks of the job)!!

I've returned from my epic seven week walk along the South West Coast Path... and now the hard work begins!

It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, and my plan now is to write an illustrated book of the whole walk. I've started on the manuscript - it's odd writing instead of painting, but I am really enjoying it. I want this book to be a labour of love and so I'm going to take my time and do it right. If I can't find a publisher I may self-publish, but I'll look into that nearer the time...

Next month I'm going to start work on a show inspired by the walk, which will be held in Broadway next summer. So, all in all it's a very busy time!