Autumn has finally arrived, but strangely not in its usual dramatic way regarding the weather. The familiar signs are still evident, and they are the reason autumn is my favourite season.

By the end of September I am usually donning a coat and occasionally gloves and a scarf, yet here I was, only last week, in October, having a trip out wearing sandals and taking a thin waterproof in my bag just in case of a light shower. I love the whole feeling of autumn with its smells and, of course, as an artist, the vibrant colours of the magnificent trees.

I recently went for lunch with a dear Venezuelan friend of mine, and it was a hot sunny day, perfect for her and the temperatures she is used to. I realised that although I like warm sunny days, who doesn't? I enjoy the changing seasons. It made me realise that the weather had played a huge part in many of my paintings. Each season had provided me with inspiration.

Looking through my numerous files of children's artwork I wanted to see if any showed obvious signs of being inspired by something, someone or somewhere. Then, out of the blue, I received a beautiful drawing from a nine-year-old girl living in Venezuela. Alicia Sophia Cordova had been deeply moved by a news story regarding a dog called Tsunami. Here is an excerpt from the newspaper:

Tsunami the Dog by Alicia in Venezuela 9yrs

On June 24th, 2026, two earthquakes, thirty nine seconds apart, devastated northern Venezuela, killing more than 1,700 people and leaving tens of thousands unaccounted for. Days into the emergency a border collie, with one blue eye and one brown, marked a precise point in the wreckage. Beneath it, a man in his sixties was still breathing. The teams concentrated on that single signal and brought him out alive. One of the rescues that gave a grieving country a reason to keep digging.

I could see why Alicia was inspired by this story and began looking at other background inspiration for artwork that I had received from young people.

Ammar is 4 years old; therefore, he maybe doesn't even know what the word 'inspiration' means. Yet he knows where he likes to be and told me

This is my happy place—the playground. I love the slide the most because I can go really fast and have so much fun.

Vincent lives in Chile and is one of my students I tutor via a weekly video link. At the moment we are looking at the work of Lowry. I wanted him to do a painting inspired by Lowry but in his own way. He is an excellent model maker and is interested in every form of transport, especially buses, aeroplanes and trains. It was an obvious choice, therefore, that he drew inspiration for this painting from a particular Chilean train.

Evie Bridge is 8 years old and sometimes struggles with everyday life. Many of her paintings are influenced by her emotions. Cats feature heavily in her work and always help her through tough times.

Finally, I felt I had to include an ex-student of mine, Lydia Wilby. Created when Lydia was 18 years old, this oil painting of her grandparents, taken from a treasured photo, was gifted to her mother.

Lydia told me:

Lydia's oil painting

The photo was supposed to be used for the gravestone which lies in Ukraine. We were due to visit Mariupol this year, but because of the Russian invasion, we cannot go anymore.

The children's stories reminded me how everything and anything may influence how we use art to transfer our emotions and proved once more how therapeutic painting and drawing, etc., are vital to young people's mental health. Let's give them the freedom to explore and enjoy their childhood.

For all the up-and-coming art opportunities, please visit my FB / Instagram pages @red4paint or email me. purplegrandma48@gmail.com for more information.
(The Calendar Competition deadline 23rd Oct)