Today would have been my dad’s 86th birthday. I lost him in September, and as you can imagine, days like today invite a lot of quiet reflection. The very first Smidgen Post has been created with that feeling in mind. This artwork is about reflection pausing, remembering, and holding space for the people who shape us. It reflects his life, and the way I still feel him with me, especially when I’m making art. The pic below is of him and me on his 70th birthday and amazingly he flew me round our local area in the plane behind, it was an experience that will stay with me forever 💜✈️ If you choose to join Premium, this is what you receive: - ✉️ The Smidgen Post a monthly piece of original artwork, sent with care - 🌿 A slower, more intentional creative space to return to each month - 💛 Artwork made with meaning, not mass-produced, always personal This first print is already waiting inside Premium, ready to be claimed. It feels really special to be sharing this one it’s gentle, thoughtful, and full of heart. If it resonates with you, you’re very welcome to join us. Sometimes art says the things we can’t quite put into words. A smidgen of calm, Kate

We don’t always find family where we first learned our name. Sometimes they arrive quietly later on with warm hands and listening hearts. They sit beside us without asking us to be anything else. And for a moment wherever we are we are not alone.

I’m feeling incredibly grateful today. We’ve just reached 50 members here in Smidgen of Calm, and honestly… thank you doesn’t quite feel big enough. Welcome @Julie Burns !!! 🙌🏻💜 This little corner of the internet was created to be gentle, encouraging and creatively nourishing a place where showing up as you are is enough. Seeing it grow into a warm, supportive community means more to me than I can put into words. Thank you for: - being kind - sharing your creativity - taking part (in big ways and quiet ones) - supporting not just this space, but each other Smidgen of Calm really does feel like a little pocket of safety on the internet and that’s because of you. Here’s to slow creativity, shared moments, and whatever unfolds next 🤍 I’m so glad you’re here.

There are days when the energy just runs out. I am having one of those today 🙈 Not in a dramatic way. Just a quiet emptying. A slowing down you didn’t plan for. And I’m learning that this isn’t always a bad sign. Sometimes it’s your body tapping you on the shoulder and saying, that’s enough for today. Enough doing. Enough pushing. Enough trying to squeeze one more thing in. Stopping doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’ve listened. Tomorrow will still be there. The ideas will come back. The work will wait. Your creativity doesn’t disappear just because you rested. So if today feels heavy or you’ve run out of steam, let it be what it is. Put the kettle on. Close the notebook. Rest without guilt. I am watching the Olympics which reminded me of a painting I did a couple of years ago which I’ve put below. You’re allowed to pause. And you don’t have to earn it. ☕🌙

It’s Friday here in the South of England and I’ve spent the day filming and editing, which still feels new and a little stretching for my brain. 🎬🎥 This weekend I’m leaning into something cosy. A bit of rest, a bit of recovery, and some gentle pockets of time just for creating. The kind of slow weekend that helps everything settle back into place.🌷 What are your plans for the weekend? Another week finished, and a soft deep breath before the next one begins. Pic from my walk today 🌼