— Minor White

 

This month, while attending a creative writing workshop, we were invited to respond to photographs taken by the facilitator himself, which he used as writing prompts.

 

The images were abstract — often taken from an angle or distance that left us unsure of exactly what we were looking at, leaving space for interpretation and imagination.

 

He spoke about being inspired by photographer Minor White

 

My knowledge of photography is very limited, but since learning about his work, I’ve found myself really drawn to his ideas.

 

He used photography not simply to document what he saw, but as a way to express feeling, meaning, and a sense of spiritual exploration.

 

It left me thinking about how often we move through the world seeing only what we expect to see — and what might happen if we looked a little differently.

 

 

Find an image you like in a magazine or newspaper.

 

Cut it up.

 

Turn it around.

 

Reconstruct it into something new.

 

As the image shifts and becomes abstract, it can begin to feel less about what it is, and more about line, shape, colour, and texture.

 

I’ve often found this useful to think about when drawing or painting.

 

Sometimes, when I draw, I notice I’m trying to make something look how I expect it to look, rather than what is actually in front of me.

 

Perhaps this is simply another way of learning to look a little closer.

 

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how this project might continue to grow.

 

The next step seems to be naturally leading towards hosting small creative circles — gentle spaces for people to come together, make, reflect, and share ideas.

 

It’s become a bit of a constant thought in my mind: what might this look like, what feels most meaningful, and how could it best fit within the spirit of Where Wildflowers Grow

 

Over the next year, I’ll have a few opportunities to pilot and explore these ideas a little further, which feels really exciting.

 

A year of exploration feels like a good place to begin.

 

As always, I’m trying to trust the process, stay open, and allow things to unfold naturally.

 

And if you — or perhaps a group you know — might be interested in being part of something like this, I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

The arty wander was a quiet and relaxed one.

 

I’m always surprised by how much can be packed into a small corner of the city.

 

This time, we stumbled across an open garden day taking place right next to the exhibition, so of course we had a wee nosy.

 

It reminded me that sometimes the joy is not only in where we set out to go, but in what we find along the way.

 

 

You are very welcome to join us for this month's arty wander on Sunday 28th June.

 

This time, we'll be visiting GOMA to explore Liquid Land, part of the Glasgow International Festival.

 

We'll meet for a cuppa in the café on the bottom floor at 11.15am, before wandering upstairs to see the exhibition and wherever else curiosity takes us.

 

If you've been reading along for a while but haven't joined us yet, I'd love to welcome you. Many people come on their own and no artistic experience is needed.

 

 

Thank you, as always, to those who have shared their thoughts with me recently — from galleries and exhibitions to artwork in progress, and your lovely responses to last month’s prompt.

 

I always come away feeling inspired by the many different ways we each see and experience the world.

 

Perhaps creativity is not always about making something new, but about learning to look a little differently at what is already there.

 

With warmth,

Louise