Björn Wessman: Chateau Noiret le pourriture Noble. 2011, oil on canvas.

Earlier on this summer I wrote about creative summer space. Enjoying the present, finding creative time and space in unexpected places. Beautiful, creative space that sometimes doesn’t cost anything. Here are some of the highlights from my summer.

This summer I’ve been inspired by:

• An exhibition of Björn Wessmans colourist landscape challenges on canvases on a monumental scale. At Millesgården which is an experience in itself!
• Balcony gardening.
• Connecting with new and old friends.
• Making homemade pesto and baking grape and rosemary Focaccia.
• A retrospective exhibition of  Slas, Stig Claesson (1928–2008), one of Sweden’s most loved authors and artists. At Kulturhuset.
• Taking time offline and quitting Facebook.
• Reading: The Tiny Wife by Andrew Kaufman, Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby, Medicinen by Hans Koppel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
• Swimming in lake Mälaren. Going for picnics and walks.
• The outdoor film festival at Rålis.
• A boat trip to Drottningholm Palace and the Chinese Pavilion.
• Taking a painting course at Gerlesborgsskolan in Bohuslän.

iPhone photography: tulips and book

I won’t be going to Paris in April, I didn’t get the artist’s grant I’d applied for, but it looks like my work will be published in a new book about Swedish Illustration. And yes, I’ll apply for the Paris grant again!

Just now I’m inspired by

• The quality of light, it’s remarkable, it lifts my spirits and it’s awfully difficult to capture on film!
• life drawing
• The Golden Eagle I saw outside my windows one morning, just after I’d finished my yoga. (also hard to capture with a camera)
• tulips and books by the historical novelist Lindsey Davis
• people skating on the lake
• Nerd Valentine. Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the nerd in your life. ♥
• astounding winter sunsets (again tricky to capture on film)

Books about creativity

I love reading books about creativity, it’s so interesting to get a peek into other artist’s creative process, thoughts around creativity, techniques, workspace and inspiration. Here’s what’s on my bedside table just now.

4 Inspiring Books About Creativity

• Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings by Kelly Rae Roberts. Beautiful mixed-media techniques and projects as well as thought-provoking prompts and quotes to give your creative spirit wings.
• Living the Creative Life: Ideas and Inspiration from Working Artists by Ricë Freeman-Zachery. A true gem of a book based on interviews with 15 very interesting and different artists on topics like the muse, creative blocks, keeping a sketchbook and prioritising your art. The first two books on the list are recommendations from artist Dana Barbieri, whose blog Create Share Inspire is full of inspiration.
• Creative Time and Space: Making Room for Making Art by Ricë Freeman-Zachery. A priceless book that puts the idea of making time and space at the core of creativity. It’s not just about managing your time or setting up a studio space in a way that suits you, it’s about your mindset, mental space and soul space, and about making room in your life for your art. Illuminating!
• The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor by Gail McMeekin. An empowering guide to maximizing your creative energy.

And a Silver Bookmark

Sterling silver bookmarks by Amy Ambroult of Elemental

These books about doing what I love mean so much to me that I think they deserve a very special bookmark and I’ve settled for a bookmark made by talented metalsmith Amy Ambroult of Elemental, who makes beautiful jewelry and three sterling silver bookmarks that adorn your books like a jewel. Isn’t her work simply amazing!?

I think I’ll pick the heart! And to thank my readers for all your support, I’ll buy one bookmark for one of you. All you need to do is comment on this post and tell me which your favourite book is (it can be on any topic), and which of Amy’s bookmarks you’d like!

The last day to participate will be the same day that the icon contest closes, on Friday 19th of March.