News & Updates

by Mark J RatcliffeComparison is Killing Your CreativityWould you believe me if I told you that comparison kills your own creativity? Just think about that sentence for a moment… how do you feel or what do you think when I say that? I have been practising fluid art...

by Mark J RatcliffeRest is Part of the Creative Process...Who else believes that you’re not being creative or you’re a true artist unless you’re painting, mapping out ideas, and filling your time with output?  This might be hard to hear, but you’re wrong.  You are an...

by Mark J RatcliffeLet go!When a new year starts, we find ourselves reflecting over previous years, with a view to having a list of goals or objectives, dreams, expectations etc for the year ahead. That is great, and I am a huge fan of a list as I like to tick off...

by Mark J RatcliffeReflection & PerspectiveAs I sit down and write my last Blog for 2025, I take a moment to reflect. Wow. Where has the time gone and what a year it’s been. It’s had highs and lows - both professionally and personally. I had no real intentions...

by Mark J RatcliffeGive yourself freedom to paint and exploreAll too often, I see people online sharing their artwork and being shot down by trolls or negativity in the comments section. Some people don’t like the creation; don’t think the style you’re sharing is...

by Mark J RatcliffeWhat does it REALLY mean to be an Artist? If you look at the word ARTIST in the dictionary it is defined as “a person who creates paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby”. (Oxford Languages 2025).  It’s official… you are an Artist.  That’s an...

by Mark J RatcliffeIt’s easy to lose focus and rhythm… how to get back on trackHave you ever just had good intentions to do certain things and then when you pause, stop and reflect, you don’t actually recognise how you got to be where you are? Sometimes is a great...

by Mark J RatcliffeHave you found your tribe?As an artist, we start out exploring what we like, what we don’t, what we are good at and what needs more finesse… but do we find ourselves as a loner or part of a group of people. Sometimes we need both; alone time to dig...

by Mark J RatcliffeInspirationI often get asked what inspires me as an artist. It’s never an easy answer because it really depends on so many factors. It could be a person, a season, a theme, a color…. But what I would say is as an artist it changes all the time as my...