Sleightholm Folk Art

Good morning, friends-

And Happy Tasha Tuesday. Today I wanted to share with you a new old treasure that I got recently, a copy of a book compiled by some of Tasha’s most beautiful sketches. The book has a forward by “Miss Jenny Wren” and notes that it was made at Corgi Cottage in 1989. I’m not sure how many of these books were printed, but I had never seen one before and knew I had to have it for my collection! It contains images of Tasha’s sketches from over 50 years of her artistic career. Below, I will share some with you:

I love seeing how Tasha worked in such loose lines in pencil. It’s fascinating for me to see the ‘rough starts’ to scenes we might recognize in her books and realize their genesis. I absolutely need to be better about keeping a sketch book, and this book of Tasha’s sketches has completely inspired me. I love seeing how she captures movement and expression in just a few loose lines. And also how she captures interior scenes that are recognizable as her own home. Do you see any you recognize?

I believe the house shown above is Tasha’s own home in New Hampshire where she raised her family. She lived there for many years without even running water, and heat sourced from stoves or the fireplace. With children underfoot, she brought the old house back to life, raised children and animals and, oh yes, maintained an amazing artistic career that spanned decades.

Even after all these years, Tasha continues to inspire me. And starting today, I plan to be more diligent with my sketching! Like Tasha, I want to notice and study the beauty of the people and places around me, and capture them for years to come with pencil and paper.

Do you keep a sketchbook? Or journal? How do you find inspiration in the world around you? For me, the thing that inspires me about Tasha is her ability to go deep within and create her own magic and beauty. The world was often a scary and uncertain place. But she was able to find that timeless hidden place of peace and comfort. May we all find that gift as well! And may we all, of course,

Take Joy!

H