A New Chapter
Newsletter 82
Hello my dears, it’s well and truly Autumn here now and I’m sitting at my computer wearing my overalls (a rare pair that still fit me) along with a jumper, vest and gloves. A light mist descended momentarily this morning over the garden creating all sorts of cosy winter nostalgia.
A few days ago I did my last market in what I imagine will be a long time. My insurance runs out at the end of this month which I figured was a sign that it was time to close that chapter of my life. I’m due to give birth in June and figured that I would be utterly exhausted at the next Stirling Market if I did it anyway. I’ve been doing markets since 2014 (at least 1 a month) and they have been instrumental in kicking off my business in many wonderful ways. I’ve made so many beautiful friends and felt very much part of a solid creative community. Yesterday I might have spent more time chatting with other stall holders than at my stall, which possibly highlights how ready I am to step away for a while. It’s time to close the chapter of markets and open up a new chapter of motherhood. ❤️
VLOG
Art Classes
Teaching art is something that I utterly adore and would like to get back to as soon as I feel ready after having the baby. I think that it’s the real sense of connection I get when making art with others and the lovely feeling of knowing that I’ve helped someone see the world with a little more wonder and whimsy. I’ve only got one more class booked in before I pop which is all about painting birds (real and imagined) at Between the Vines. It’s on the 9th of May (12.30-3pm) and you can book here.
I’ll continue to post at least 1 online art class every month here on Substack so that you can get your creative fix. This month’s class was on how to draw a Red-Browed Finch and I also recorded a little video of me painting an Autumn leaf.
How to Draw - Red-Browed Finch
These little friends are regular visitors to my bird bath, it’s delightful watching them flit in and out at high speeds. I hope you enjoy this free lesson on how to draw these lovely little birds. Paid subscribers will have the option to download the printable PDF how-to-draw sheet along with a bonus colouring-in page of this winter finch.
Autumn Leaf Painting
Join me this Friday for a delightful Autumn Leaf painting session at Between the Vines Vineyard in South Australia. Paired with a glass or wine and cheese platter, is there any possible nicer way to welcome the cooler weather? Book here.
Newness!
I finally got my act together this month and photographed and listed my new Fairy-Wrens of Australia bunting. You have the option to purchase a digital or physical copy of the bunting if you’d like to hang it in your house as I’ve hung mine in my bedroom.
On the note of wrens, I’ve also listed a zine that features all of the male fairy-wrens of Australia. A sweet little gift to include with a card to a friend perhaps? Check it out here.
A Dose of Whimsy Zine
Another cool thing that I finally got around to this month was launching my new Dose of Whimsy zine! This quarterly mini-magazine features some of my more surrealist artwork and is paired with a mini-print for your wall. The current Autumn the zine talks about ‘what is whimsy?’ and features a mini-print of my magic bearded chicken artwork. You can read a digital copy of the magazine in Your Monthly Dose of Whimsy blog post or subscribe to a years worth of whimsy in your letterbox here. My ‘letterbox legends’ on Substack will also receive a copy of the zine.
Your Monthly Dose of Whimsy #7
Hello again lovely people and welcome to another ‘Dose of Whimsy’ instalment. In this monthly post I share all of my whimsical arty play and creative thoughts. 😊Subscribe here if you want this little ‘Dose of Whimsy’ in your mailbox every month.
G'day from my Garden - April 2025
Oh my goodness, it is so epic outside! I just came in after moving the quails to their night-time enclosure and it just so happens to be raining. Actually raining! 😮 We have had such a long dry spell here in South Australia and any rain just seems amazing. I feel enlivened and excited to start getting things done in the garden. Let me know in the comments what you’re doing in the garden this April.
The gift in the real mail to my wonderful ‘Letterbox Legends’ this month features my ‘G’day from my Garden’ letter and A Dose of Whimsy zine. If you also want a monthly dose of whimsy in your letterbox, you can subscribe for $150 a year. I also offer many downloadable freebies in my weekly blog posts just for my amazing subscribers for as little as $5 a month or $50 a year.
With love and a dose of whimsy,
Zinia
Glad to hear things are going so well! What you mentioned about markets not being the same, I feel is so true for many avenues artists explore to earn a living. Social media is another example. I find it encouraging how artists prevail and drift to new opportunities. Being creative people is what helps us always come up with new ideas I suppose. I love how you painted that wall in your living room! Will you paint your baby's room too, I wonder?