Spring in the Studio: A Season of Renewal and Creativity
- Vicky Tucker
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Studio Journal — Spring in the Studio
I can’t quite believe I’m writing my next quarterly studio journal already — where have the last three months gone? It feels like only yesterday I was writing the last one, and yet the studio has been full of activity since then.
If I’m honest, the year began with a bit of a slow start. I don’t know about anyone else, but the January blues hit hard this year. The dull grey skies, endless rain, and dark mornings never make it easy to get going again after a couple of weeks away from the studio over Christmas. That “getting back into it” feeling always takes a little time.
I find it important not to fight this too much. Creative work can’t be forced, and if it is, it’s never my best work. So I spent a lot of January planning ahead, attending to IT jobs, and gently getting back into the groove before putting any pressure on myself to paint. This time is always so important, and many creatives don’t allow themselves enough of it. I love to reflect on my work: what has worked well, what hasn’t, and where I want to take my art journey next. January was a great time to do this.
As you know, I am very committed to producing work that tells a story, connects people, and has purpose. During January, I saw an article about a local charity hoping to reshape their business model over the coming year to secure their financial future and continue supporting vulnerable people in our community.
The RDA Unicorn Centre is a vital lifeline for people within my local community using the powerful partnership between horses and people to change lives. Due to rising costs they have faced financial hardship with a real threat of closure. This would be a devastating loss to the local, and wider community.
So I decided to use my artwork to help raise awareness and much-needed support by painting a unicorn (I’ve always wanted to paint one!). The piece will be auctioned online, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the centre. I’ve already visited, discussed the project, and the painting is now in progress.
Over the coming months my aim is to raise the profile of this project through local media channels, and networking links. I will be contacting the patron of the RDA Princess Anne and Nicola Wilson (patron of the RDA Unicorn centre) to drum up some momentum too. I will confirm the date of the auction very soon, it is expected to be sometime in late June or early July.
I will continue to share updates on my socials (Facebook and Instagram), as well as on my website, so you can keep up to date with everything as the project develops. To raise further funds, I will be releasing a print run of the finished painting, a portion of sales from each print will also be donated to the Unicorn centre so that ongoing support can be achieved.
Pre-orders are already being taken for these prints, despite the painting not yet being completed; this is so so heart-warming, and is evidence of how much the RDA Unicorn centre is valued in my local community and beyond.
Early February saw me host a pop-up exhibition at Helmsley Arts Centre in support of their Equus Festival. It was a wonderful day celebrating all things horse through film and art. I met some lovely horsey people who were very enthusiastic about my work, particularly my wild mustang-inspired pieces. Plans are already in motion to hold a larger exhibition there in the future.
Helmsley Arts Centre is a vibrant, community-led arts venue in the heart of Helmsley, offering a diverse programme of exhibitions, theatre, film, music and creative workshops. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, it’s a welcoming hub for both artists and audiences, celebrating creativity in all its forms. Hit the button below for more details.
My ‘Together’ lion painting proved to be a popular Valentine’s gift in print form. It’s been so lovely to see so many of this limited edition run of prints find their forever homes and continue spreading their message of connection. The original is currently on display at one of my favourite cafes, 1756 at The Dudley Arms, Ingleby Greenhow.
February 17th marked the start of the Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse, and to celebrate I painted my own fire horse. Created in a single, fully immersive day, the piece was intended to capture the energy of strength, independence, and forward momentum. The painting resonated deeply with one of my customers, who visited the following week and purchased it immediately, always such a wonderful feeling.
Prints are now available in three sizes for anyone wanting to bring a little fire horse energy into their life too
The rhythm of studio life has truly returned. One of the nicest things recently has been having studio dog Dell back in residence now the weather has warmed up, she hates been shut in the studio when it's cold which has meant she has had to stay home lately.
Now it's warm enough she loves sitting outside, - watching the world go by, and keeping an eye on everything happening around the studio (on cat watch!), every now and then she wanders up to have a fuss, a treat and remind me to take a break by way of a dog walk. Anyone with a dog will understand the joy and energy they bring, and the importance of stepping away from work for a walk in the fresh air.
I’m also pleased to say I’ve been able to return to another passion, horse riding. Now that my daughter and Sabrina (our horse) are home from Uttoxeter, I can enjoy the occasional ride again. I’m only a happy hacker, but I do love spending time around horses, it’s such a joy and a source of inspiration for my work.
Spending time back in the saddle has reminded me just how powerful horse riding is for my wellbeing, a chance to step away from the studio, clear my mind, breathe deeply, and reconnect with a sense of calm and perspective. This is exactly why I feel so passionate about supporting the RDA, ensuring they can continue to provide the same opportunity for members of the community who need it most.
There are more collaborations and projects in the mix this quarter. I was approached by Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool to support their fundraiser this year. They run an annual online pet show, such a lovely idea, and I was delighted to donate a first prize of a 30cm x 30cm bespoke portrait for the winning entrant. Supporting Alice House Hospice is important to me, as their compassionate care and support for individuals and families during the most difficult times brings comfort, dignity, and a sense of peace when it's needed most.
I’m also pleased to say that my large wild mustang painting ‘Stand Your Ground’ is now available as a print. At 150cm x 120cm, the original presented quite a logistical, and technical challenge to reproduce in print. I’m very grateful to professional photographer Joe Cornish, whose experience, attention to detail, and specialist equipment ensured incredible colour accuracy and detail and has allowed the piece to be available as a limited edition run of 100 prints.
Thank you to everyone who has already supported this release, and for your patience while I sorted out getting to the point of being able to reproduce it - it’s so rewarding to see a painting with such a strong message resonate with others.
I’m looking forward to supporting the Leven Art Society with their annual Spring exhibition in April. I’ll be helping to steward the event as well as exhibiting some of my work. It’s always a fantastic display of work by lots of members of the Society, always something to suit most tastes, and well worth a visit:
Saturday 10th April (10–5)
Sunday 11th April (9–4)
Stokesley Town Hall (free entry, with an art café — come along for a cuppa and cake!)
I’m currently busy with commissions, which is always such a privilege. I love the collaborative process, capturing beloved animals exactly as their owners see them. There’s nothing better than handing over a finished piece that exceeds expectations. I can't reveal any of my current one's as they are gifts for people but here is the lovely Saffy, she was painted as a surprise Christmas gift, her owner Izzy West was absolutely over the moon with it. This one is a good example of combining photos to achieve the desired finished painting.
I’ve also recently sent out information to primary schools across North Yorkshire offering free visits to talk about life as an artist — the resilience, determination, and practice needed to follow your passion. I delivered this talk at Great Broughton Primary School last year, and it was so well received that I wanted to expand it further. As a creative rather than academic child, I grew up not fully appreciating my own value. If I can help inspire young people to embrace their strengths and passions, I’ll be very happy. My next talk is booked at Bedale C of E Primary School in April, and I can’t wait.
Lastly, I’m collaborating with Hunley Hall Golf Club, in Brotton ,to bring my wildlife collection into their accommodation suite. The views at Hunley are stunning, and the wildlife on the course is beautiful and diverse — hares and foxes hiding in the rough, barn owls hunting at dusk, and a pair of swans raising cygnets on the pond each year. My work will complement this environment perfectly and it will be so lovely to share it with the many visitors to the club. Framed fine art prints will be permanently displayed along the accommodation hallways, with prints and cards available for guests to purchase as a memento of their visit.
I’ll also be holding a pop-up exhibition, and working in residence, on 30th May as part of Hunley Hall Golf Club's 'Makers and Creators' Fair. Set in the function room of the hotel, overlooking the beautiful golf course, it should be a lovely day - why not pop along and say hi? There a couple of pitches left, so if you are a crafter, and fancy a lovely day selling your wares, in a beautiful location, why not book a table?
As you can see, despite the slow start to the year lots has been happening this quarter in, and indeed out, of my studio. With lots of projects and exciting ventures on the horizon too, it is already proving to be a busy and rewarding year.
As always, thank you for following the journey and supporting my work.
Vicky & Dell
xx
