6th and 7th September 2025
BS5 art trail returns

https://bs5arttrail.co.uk

The BS5 Arts Trail is less than a week away, and once again my studio has transformed into a whirlwind of creative chaos. It’s that familiar mix of nerves and excitement — the anticipation of showing my work balanced with the logistics of packing, setting up, and, of course, packing down and unpacking the car again. For a neurodiverse person, these events can be deeply taxing. It takes weeks to fully recover. But the pull of sharing my art, meeting people who connect with it, and having those unexpected conversations is what fuels me forward. Just a few weeks ago I was very much in the “I quit” mode but instead I am focusing more on art trails and less on weekly and monthly markets.

for a few years now, the trail has expanded across the whole BS5 postcode, with Easton and St George as the main hubs combining forces. You’ll find me at Saint Marks, Easton, with a map available both online and in print to guide your journey. Thank you for having me as an honorary guest from the st George area.

What I’m Bringing

As a prolific artist, choosing what to display is always a challenge. My studio is overflowing — so much so that I worry about damaging pieces or simply not having enough space to store them. That’s why I’d much rather my work be out in the world, on your walls, where it can begin a new journey and meaning of its own. Do I group series together or have a complete array of random artwork, it is always a tough call!

I’ll have a mix of work on show — from quick sketches to larger, more considered projects. My hope is that there’ll be something for everyone: every subject, every mood, and every budget. Whether you’re simply browsing for a day out or searching for that one piece that feels meant for you and to complete a room or connect to an emotion, I think this year’s trail is going to be fantastic.

Closest I will get to a push of the button pop up automatic display!

Why I Create

I don’t paint and draw just for a paycheck. I have always connected to creativity from a young age. For me, art is vocation, expression, and self-soothing. It’s how I process the world, and how I share pieces of myself with others. To live a creative life is to constantly make space for new work — and selling pieces isn’t just a fair exchange in value, it’s what allows me to keep creating logistically with making room for a new chapter. It is fun to discuss art, life and have the art spark some real conversations.

Ralph Joins the Trail

Some of you may also spot Ralph, who’ll be with me for part of Saturday. He’s a people-loving (and very popular!) fluffy dog, but he’s also an introvert at heart and can become overwhelmed by people going up to him, social on his terms. We’ll have a sign up reminding visitors not to rush over — he prefers to be called gently and allowed to come to you, and if see he is chilling and being good boy, just leave him to it and ignore him. He may never be the sort of dog who flops down beside my stall, but he’s always happiest when he gets to explore and observe. If I do step away and take Ralph for a wander, it’s usually because Ralph has decided he needs a little adventure and to stretch his legs.

Ralph is a loving dog but selective, the pomsky pom husky mix means he chooses a few humans and is very loyal

Shifts in My Practice

At the moment, I’ve run out of room for larger works in the studio, so I’ve been experimenting with smaller pieces and a different kind of approach. It’s been refreshing to shift my focus while still pouring the same passion into each piece, be it perhaps a different sort of energy at times. One larger project, the most recent with four blank large canvas’ to go before I must stop, From Beneath the Surface, is currently on show at North Street Gallery — but I’ll share more about that in my next post.

A Community of Creatives

One of the things I love most about the BS5 Arts Trail is the sense of connection it brings. Meeting other artists, engaging with visitors, and linking into the wider creative community is always a highlight of the year for me. I still have to pinch myself sometimes — that these sketches and explorations from my mind’s eye go out into the world and find homes. It can feel slow-going at times, but the fact that anyone loves my work enough to buy it is something I will never take for granted. Whether going to a new home or the many conversations had, I love what I do.

So, if you’re wandering through Easton, do stop by Saint Marks. I’ll be there — sketchbook in one hand, dog lead in the other — ready to share, chat, and connect.

See you on the trail!

Counting Down to the BS5 Arts Trail

6th and 7th September 2025 BS5 art trail returns