The perfect time and the perfect studio... I am learning to paint in both pastels and oils, by teaching myself. I watch You Tube videos, read books and magazines and attend the occasional workshop, in addition to working 30 hours a week and trying to set up this website. It’s quite overwhelming!

If that wasn’t enough, I am also in the process of moving home! The voice in my head tells me that just as soon as I’ve moved house I will have much more time to devote to my art. But will I? If I don’t have time now, the reality is it won’t be any different in my new place. In fact, I am likely to have less time initially as I settle in and “make it my own” …

In my bathroom I have a signed limited edition print by the artist Sam Toft, with the caption “It’s later than you think...” This was a rare impulse purchase I made several years ago, whilst browsing in an art gallery in York. The caption really struck home and resonated with me at the time. I was approaching my 60th birthday and in a job which had become extremely monotonous, with a two hour commute at each end of the day. I was very tired and generally fed up with my circumstances. The image and the quote jolted me into making significant life changes. Such is the power of art!

My “head voice” also tells me my artistic masterpieces will improve dramatically, just as soon as I’ve set up my perfect art studio in my new place. Another big fat lie… Like I just need that new paintbrush, new pastel stick or new easel, and so the list of delusion goes on and on…

I recently watched a TV programme on BBC1 called Home is Where The Art Is. In one episode a lady artist had given up her secure teaching job to focus full time on her art. Her studio was a table under her staircase. I so admire her… I currently have half of one spare room, a nice art table, a couple of easels and side table, loads of art materials, books, videos and magazines, not to mention two very deep windows to spread all my stuff out!

It’s time to get a grip of myself and stop procrastinating because, it’s later than I think and the perfect time and perfect studio is right here, right now!