#21: The Countdown Canvas: Creating for Holmfirth Artweek Under Pressure
The calendar says I have time, but in the studio, it feels like I’m racing the clock. With Holmfirth Artweek just around the corner, every spare minute is quickly becoming brushstroke time. And honestly? I kind of love it.
There’s something electric about working under pressure. It forces a sort of clarity — decisions that might have taken days happen in moments. Colours that once sat hesitantly on the palette now leap onto the canvas with conviction. The time squeeze isn’t just a challenge — it’s fuel.
A Return to Holmfirth
Holmfirth Artweek has a special place in my heart. Preparing for it last year was a turning point, and this time around, I feel the weight of that history in a good way. I’ve changed a lot since then — shifted from my detailed black and white eye drawings into the messier, more emotional world of colour and paint. It’s like showing up as a new version of myself, still recognisable, but with louder stories to tell.
Rhythm in the Rush
As the clock ticks down, I find myself falling into a rhythm: paint, pause, reassess, repeat. Each day brings a mix of excitement and panic. But that panic has its perks. It stops me from getting too precious about the work. I don’t have the luxury of fussing over every inch. Instead, I have to trust my instincts, make bold choices, and commit.
The Power of Fresh Eyes
Sometimes, the best thing I can do is walk away. Heading home for the evening and returning with fresh eyes the next morning often reveals what the painting truly needs. It’s a humbling reminder that part of the process is stepping back, letting the work breathe, and letting myself breathe too.
Distilling What Matters
Of course, the countdown brings nerves. There are pieces that still feel half-born, sketches waiting to become something more, and a sense of wanting it all to somehow express everything I’ve felt since the last time I hung work on those Holmfirth walls. But I’ve come to realise that pressure doesn’t kill creativity — it distils it. It strips away the overthinking and asks, very directly, what matters most to say.
The Final Stretch
So this week, the studio is a whirlwind. There’s music playing, paint everywhere, and a quiet voice in the back of my mind whispering, "You’re nearly there." And I think that’s the joy of it — not just the deadline, but the transformation that happens in trying to meet it.
Come and See
If you’re local or fancy a trip to Yorkshire in July, Holmfirth Artweek is always a wonderful event — full of creativity, community, and plenty of surprises. My paintings will be there, and I’m excited to share the results of this whirlwind with you. I hope you get a chance to stop by, see the work in person, and feel a little of the energy that went into each piece.
Holmfirth Artweek 2025
Celebrating creativity in the Holme Valley & beyond since 1966
Sunday 6th – Saturday 12th July, 2025
.M.
Be real.
Make art.
If you’d like to learn more about my creative process or see my latest work, feel free to reach out or check out the rest of my website.