TRY IT, YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!
Gill Sherry
I’m all for trying something different. Whichever cliché you choose to use – step out of your comfort zone, broaden your horizons, embrace the challenge – it does you good to vary your routine, no matter how minor that variation may be.
Not so long ago, I literally got back in the saddle and rode a horse. Admittedly I needed steps to help me up, as well as a guide to help me ‘steer’, but what a fabulous feeling it was to trot (well, walk) through the countryside, courtesy of the beautiful – and very patient – Tilly. I hadn’t ridden a horse since childhood, so it was wonderfully nostalgic to reintroduce myself to this equine pastime.
Another thing I hadn’t done since I was a child (in the icy waters of Scotland, anyway) was swim in the sea. Venturing into cold water in adulthood is very different to doing so in adolescence, but no less satisfying. And much to my delight, I found it just as easy to make friends in the water as a tentative fifty-something, as I did when I was a fearless, talk-to-anyone twelve-year-old. In fact, unlike my brief reintroduction to horse riding, I’m now a regular ‘dipper’ in all weathers and temperatures, usually with a group of like-minded cold-water warriors. Who would’ve thought?
Next on my list was an art class. I hadn’t partaken in anything arty since school, where my art teacher was less than complimentary when it came to my artistic endeavours. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop me joining a Glorious Golden Sunsets Pastel Workshop at Irvine’s Harbour Arts Centre.
My tutor for the afternoon was local artist, Caroline Dyet, who assured me that experience with pastels wasn’t necessary and that beginners of any level were welcome. Armed with those reassuring words, and my own sunset photograph to work from, I took my seat among eleven other would-be Picassos and prepared to get my hands dirty.
Almost everyone else in the class was creating their own version of the same image which involved the use of varying shades of yellow and orange. My own sunset photograph necessitated the use of lilacs and pinks. I’d probably made things a little difficult for myself by going ‘off-piste’ but, with Caroline’s help, I persevered.
Painting with pastels, I discovered, relies very much on the use of your fingers to layer, blend and manipulate the colours. I was baffled by this concept but after a hesitant start, soon fathomed how to apply the necessary pressure and to stoke the picture into life. It reminded me of drawing with crayons when I was a kid which again added that element of nostalgia to what was already an enjoyable afternoon.
Three hours flew by, and it was a joy to see the stunning works of art created by my fellow attendees, some of whom, I suspect, were already well acquainted with pastels.
As for my own masterpiece, let’s just say it won’t win any awards, although, I’m happy to say it does bear some resemblance to the original photograph. I’m actually quite proud of my efforts, and the response from those who have seen what I have since titled ‘Turnberry Twilight’ has been nothing but positive. The feedback from Caroline was certainly more encouraging than that received from my art teacher at school! My husband (always my number one fan) is insisting we frame it and hang it on the wall. I might just buy some Blu Tack and stick it on the fridge.
Experiencing something new can be liberating. It can be something as simple as riding a bike, participating in a new sport (apparently, padel tennis is great fun), trying your hand at woodwork, or learning a new language. Depending on what you choose, it can be beneficial to both mental and physical health, and you can gain new skills as well as new friends.
Go on… try it, you might like it!
