That’s the name of a book I want to write.
I have no idea what it’s about, or even what kind of book it is, but that’s the title. For now it will have to settle for being the title of a blog post. 🙂
In fact, as I think about it, it feels like a good title for my life, now.
Corfe Castle, Dorset
I spent the past three years or so in a very interior place; I became a full on recluse, a necessary response to what was happening inside me, and for a long time didn’t even leave the house much.
Going out felt like a continuous onslaught that required extensive recovery time, and for months I didn’t have the energy for that with so much going on inside. Even basic interactions were a struggle.
Durdle Door, Dorset
One thing that stopped completely, and that I missed all the time, was travel.
Travelling always felt essential to me, like part of my soul. So it was weird and uncomfortable to not feel able to, and I worried that I might never do so again.
Durdle Door, Dorset
And then lo! Here I am, writing this in a cosy bed and breakfast in Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast, many miles from home.
I actually dipped my toe back into venturing away from home last year, with a week in Majorca and then a week on solitary retreat in a cottage in the Sussex countryside. Both were experiences of opening, of testing the waters, and of discovering myself in new, or perhaps updated, ways.
Durdle Door, Dorset
And then 2016 began, and with it some unexpected and wonderful, if mostly invisible-on-the-outside, changes.
One visible change was in my art, and with that came the realisation that I was trying to paint what freedom feels like.
Once I saw that, it was like a jigsaw I didn’t know I’d been putting together suddenly began to look like a complete picture.
It was everywhere, all across my life, from the way I arrange and use my home to my ongoing obsession with birds in flight.
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Another change was that I suddenly felt ready to go out into the world again. Joy!
I have a long held dream to visit the east coast of the US, and found myself – after literally years of thinking and talking about it – diving into actually planning for it.
That’ll come later, but in the meantime I had an idea to do a practice run; a solo road trip down to the westernmost tip of the UK and back.
I’ve visited Cornwall three times {if you include the Scilly Isles}, and loved it differently each time. I think something in my soul recognises it.
So what better than to rent a car and drive down and have a little adventure, while getting to know how I like to travel now?
The beach at Charmouth, Dorset
I want to share a little of this adventure with you, since it’s so significant not just to me personally, but also to my work and where it’s going.
I find I am constantly being reminded of and surprised by the underlying theme of freedom in my life. It’s present in everything, and growing stronger and clearer each day.
Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis :: it’s like a lunar landscape with hundreds of ammonite fossils embedded in the rock underfoot
The pictures in this post are from the first few days of my road trip.
So far I haven’t done much art {one drawing!}, but I plan to do more as I go deeper into Cornwall. It’s a county full of artists and wild landscapes from which to draw {literally and figuratively!}.
Making art on Ridge Cliff, Seatown
I hope that there will be some interest for you in these posts. I would love the blog to become a rich combination of my loves – art, the sea, travel, creativity, {freedom!} – since they all feed each other.
I’m not planning to change the basic format – there will still be all the usual kinds of posts – but I have to share this part of who I am too, because it’s changing how I live in the world.
A boat after my own heart 🙂
So for the next week or so, there will be more posts than usual as I make my pilgrimage westwards and share some of that experience with you.
Then I’ll come home and everything will be back to normal, whatever that means. 🙂
Next post here.
Your photos are so beautiful Tara ! Will have to visit that part of UK !
Thanks Sophie – it’s hard not to take beautiful photos here!
Love, Love this post. As women, so many of our stories have similar themes and it’s reassuring to hear someone articulate their journey as well as you. Thank you for sharing this piece of you.
Ah thanks Lisa. I appreciate that. 🙂
Your photos and words are food for the soul……and both have touched my own today x
Thank you Catherine! So glad. 🙂 x
So much of this sounds familiar to me- the turning in, the tuning out, then the spiral outwards again as strength returns. Like you, I’m on the outward trajectory again at present, though in a controlled and self compassionate way, having thought I would never leave the house again, for a while! It’s all good, if we accept who we are. I look forward to more super photos from a favourite part of my world – my family is Cornish born and bred and I’m returning in June to spend a week at the St Ives School of Painting- yay! Enjoy your travels x
Thanks for sharing your similar experience – always good to know we are in it together {separately :)}. I wondered whether I’d ever leave the house again for a while there too. I went to St Ives a few years ago with my mum and it’s still one of my favourite trips ever. Such a gorgeous place. And how amazing to be going to the school of painting! Look forward to hearing more about that!
Hi Tara, I’m so happy for you!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Sofia! 🙂
“would love the blog to become a rich combination of my loves – art, the sea, travel, creativity, {freedom!} – since they all feed each other.” YES PLEASE! My loves as well.
That settles it then. 🙂 Enjoyed your recent Spain trip photos – here’s to more exploring!
I’m riveted as usual! Keep them coming please. You are always such an inspiration…….I might even blog about my trip, which starts tomorrow!
Ah thanks Barbara; appreciate the encouragement! Where are you off to?
I’m off to Portugal. It’s raining a lot there so I’m expecting a selection of photos with rain spatters on the lens. Should have gone to lovely Cornwall! ????????
I have been very fortunate weather wise! Although today it’s blowing an absolute gale so I’m cosied up indoors! Have a wonderful trip.
No one knows in advance what will happen, but realising that you have to get out and do new things, visit places in order to feed your spirit is essential for living a full and challenging life. And life without challenges may be more straightforward but would also be dull and leave us no space for growing. This looks such a great trip, I’m sure it will continue to feed back into your work for a while. I often find I don’t do as much drawing ‘on site’ as I like, but I think perhaps that’s because being there is just the collecting research part and it takes a bit of time to filter through.
Yes I always seem to do less art on the road than I think I”m going to, but I think it all needs time to absorb and percolate!
I am late here, dear T, but finally following this wonderful journey of yours!! So beautiful… your words, the photos and the art. (even if it’s just one page). 🙂 i am so happy for you. I can totally relate to the love of travel, and i absolutely love the title of your book. Signs of Freedom. Yes, indeed. xx
Glad you’re enjoying the trip P! xx
I have goosebumps 🙂
Love your photos and your unfolding life story as much as your art…all authentically just-right and refreshing!
Thank you so much Julie!
Love the photos, the area looks wonderful. If you visit the East coast U.S. The beaches are different all along the coast. From the rocky shores of Maine to the white soft sands of the NJ shores to the hot sands in southern FL.
Each will inspire your ideas differently. My favorite place is the artist friendly shores in southern NJ.
Hi Jill, thank you for the tips! Definitely useful for my planned trip! I didn’t know that about southern NJ – will have to investigate! Just took a peep at your blog and really like your life drawings, especially that pencil one. Such beautiful curves!
I enjoyed this repost blog of the start of your journey to the south west of England which fed your soul and aided your recovery. I have recently relocated , from North Yorkshire, to the area featured in your post of Dorset so can empathise with your pleasure at the stunning scenery which has begun to feature in my art too. Love your sketch.
Wow that’s quite a move! How wonderful for you – it really is life changing isn’t it! Thanks for stopping by Susan!