A solitary retreat by the sea

Hello everyone,

I’ve been back home for a few days and felt like sharing with you some of the bits and pieces from my stay on the seaside earlier this month.

I proposed to my friend to pet sit her dog for a few days while she spends some time back in her homeland. She hadn’t been able to go home for a while as she didn’t know what to do with her old doggie.

She lives in a little costal town and I thought this could be a great opportunity to experience a solitary retreat and soak up the seaside atmosphere, while I could help my friend to go back home and spend some time with her people.

I can’t start this blog post without saying a few words about the 16 years old dog, Poto. He’s such a sweet little thing, we really got along very well even though carrying him down and up the stairs four times a day was hard work (his back legs are really weak, he has to wear a harness with a strap that I was lifting up to help him walk). Poto couldn’t hear or see very well and was constantly in great demand of cuddles. His bliss was to fall asleep on my lap.

There’s something so incredibly touching about old animals (and some old humans too). They’re fragile and vulnerable, seeing an old dog or an old cat always makes me want to look after them. They’re defenceless and are in need of warmth and physical contact.

I definitely fell in love with Poto and even though he was a bit of a pain sometimes, we shared lots of funny and tender moments. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy… But I’m happy to know he’s back with his mama now.

A love for the seaside

 The location of the flat is fantastic, with the beach literally at the doorstep. And even though I don’t live far way, only thirty minutes driving, being that close to the North Sea was purely wonderful.

 One of my favourite things about living in Scotland is that you’re never far from the coast. And this, for me, is very special. Growing up in the centre of France, going to the sea meant at least five hours driving. It meant escape and holiday time.

There’s something so extraordinary soothing about the sound and smell of the waves, the beautiful vastness and openness. It has a calming and truly therapeutic effect on me. That’s why I appreciate being there on my own: I love the long and solitary walks, the wind carrying that delicious scent of seaweed and rain, the songs of shore birds.

Being there makes me feel grounded and puts things into perspective.

As you might guess it’s not really the Mediterranean seascape I’m the most attracted to. I prefer the Ocean (or the North Sea) on a moody day, when you barely see the line between sky and water, creating this delicate gradient of grey and blue.

Lovely textures and colours

Making Art

I went a couple of times to the neighbor town, waiting for the the low tide to be able to walk on the beach. These few days were really quite cold and humid, I needed to find shelter in a cosy cafe. I enjoy going for coffees on my own, sipping my beverage slowly while watching people or drawing in my sketchbook.

Some simple seaside scenes

I intentionally left my heavy camera at home but sadly forgot my binoculars… Which was really frustrating when I stumbled upon this bunch of seals chilling on rocks. I tried to go as close as I could and stayed there for a while, observing with delight these well rounded and plum creatures being so relax.

Low quality picture taken with my phone

Feeling inspired to make an illustration with one of these plump seals.

A five minutes loose sketch to capture the moment

Lovely contrast between the dark sky and the colourful cliffs.

Drawing the wildflowers I spotted along the way.

Walking on the beach is already an experience in itself. There so many little things to look at on the sand: seashells, driftwood, seaweeds and every now and then a dead bird reminding us that we are also part of the endless cycle of life and death.

Temporary exhibition of beach treasures. I quickly sketched them and added some watercolour once I was home.

And of course I had to draw some sea birds and other feathery friends I spotted on my walks.

I’ve always said that sketching and character research is my favorite part of making an illustration. I truly enjoy the freedom and spontaneity that drawing loosely without focusing on the result offers. This solitary retreat filled me with joy and inspiration. I appreciated the slow pace, the solitude and sketching all the little things and animals I spotted during my walks.

I’m now thinking I should keep making art in the form on Nature journaling. It combines my love for drawing and walking, it captures simple and happy memories and makes me feel grounded, at home. It helps me focus on the natural beauties that are still around me, instead of feeling this unbearable sorrow for what is gone.

As John Keats wrote: “The Poetry of earth is never dead”.

That’s it for now my dears, thank you for stopping by and reading me!

See you soon,

C.