It's been a while. Towards the end of last year I became unwell. Life got busy, and this community grew quieter than I intended. Over the last few months I've been reflecting on what Art With Courage is really about. I've realised it's not simply about learning to draw or paint. It's about attention. It's about showing up. It's about finding the courage to begin again, even after we've lost momentum. The little daisy painting below is Painting #4 of a new 1000 Paintings Project I've started. Not because I need 1000 paintings, but because I want to keep practising the habit of noticing, creating and paying attention. Many of the opportunities I've been fortunate to receive over the years, including exhibiting with the RSA, SSA and VAS, have grown from small daily acts of showing up just like this. I'd like this community to be a place where we can encourage one another, share progress, build creative habits and enjoy the journey together. Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing: 🎨 Drawing and painting exercises 👁️ Attention-building practices ✏️ Habit hacks that help overcome resistance 🌼 Lessons from the 1000 Paintings Project 🤝 Encouragement, feedback and accountability If you're here, I'd love to hear from you. Say hello and where you are in your journey just now, what are you working on or struggling with, any wins, and if you're new tell us who you are, where you're from, and one creative thing you'd like to make, learn or finish this year. And if you're feeling brave, post a blind contour drawing below. The community is free now, and open to anyone who wants in. You can also follow the 1000 Paintings Project day to day on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYo-uBjKVYV/ It's good to be back. Sarmed.

Hey everyone Yesterday the Art With Courage community became monetised for the first time and already we have our very first paid member — Dr @Sylvia Morgan. Please join me in welcoming her. I honestly haven’t even promoted the page yet, so it was a lovely surprise to wake up to this morning. Thank you all for being here from the start. Everyone who’s already here has complimentary access as part of the founding circle. I’m deeply grateful for your support and energy. New members joining now at $5/month will also keep that rate for life as founding members, even when prices go up later. Have a little patience with me as I build the next phase, an exciting 'Art of Attention' webinar which I’ll share with you soon, along with new lessons and challenges inside the community. And don’t forget, Wednesday is our Make It Together session. Please check the calendar tab for live calls schedule. I hope to see you there so we can create art together and build real accountability. With gratitude, Sarmed.

I had fun with these. 1. BLAST. Mini trumpet 2. FIREFLY. 3. BUTTON.

Here I go... last 3. I am now up to date. I present: 1. Deal... 2. Arctic 3. Rivals Enjoy.

Started as a sphere study yesterday, to unwind and relax. Today I looked at it again and now it’s a figure pushing the world while a bird watches, bored. Funny how some weights are invisible to everyone but the one carrying them. What does “heavy” mean to you today?