Last week I turned 50. As you probably know, we produce a lot of thoughtful, creative projects for these sort of milestones, so I should have known something would be made for me. Somehow, I was still surprised, and I was still moved. I got to experience the feeling we try so hard to create for others, and it was friggin’ great.

With the high street shops closed, we are super busy with Christmas deadlines. It seems everyone has to be more creative with buying gifts this year. What can I say but, hallelujah! 😂

To start, a quick word about our approach to Lockdown. Our visits with clients are not social visits, and most cannot be done remotely. The government’s guidelines clarify that professional video shoots can continue, and say nothing about photo shoots, so we’re still doing both. I try not to make this newsletter an overtly sales-y email… but we’re open for business 😊

As Lockdown II looms, I’m feeling surprisingly sanguine. Although we had to cancel 4 art exhibitions this year, and we’ve certainly had a decline in certain areas, our Art Advisory is going really well…! Truth is that everyone’s exhibitions were cancelled, so there is a lot of amazing art out there, languishing in studios, and some great deals, across the market. So this week I’m sharing news from the Art Gallery, including WHY the company is evolving, in the Daydream below.

This week I invite you to watch Mario Henrique turn a blank canvas into a piece of art. Beyond simply painting, he uses a knife, a sanding rock, masking tape, and throws the paint with abandon. Its really cool. For the ADD among you, fast forward to 2 mins in.

Its always nice to get some press. Our work was recently highlighted by Hello! Magazine and the Culture Diary. Whilst its nice to get external recognition, its more important to me that I’m proud of what we do. I’m pretty sure most of our work will survive me – it’ll be in your life after I’m dead.

Some photography is poaching an egg; only the best will get it right, whereas other shots are scrambling an egg; anyone can get very good. On this theme, I share some extraordinary Fine Art Photography in both the Reveal and Artwork sections. And in my Daydream section I share some inspiration for those who want to improve at the basics.

I have a confession to make – I’m a nerd. Whereas some artists never seem to read or study creativity itself, I find the topic utterly fascinating. Perhaps it’s my engineering background – when going to college my parents said I’d never make a living in the creative world, and since I was good at mathematics, I studied engineering.

As the kids go back to school, my mind turns to the refreshing spirit of autumn. I know that, theoretically, the leaves are about to fall – the metaphor is one of ebbing not flowing. But I’ve a winter-y soul. For me the autumn is a time of renewal.

The last eight weeks have been a whirlwind, with exciting new projects born from clients’ ‘flights of fancy’, which we’re pioneering together. What’s the point of having a ‘personal creative agency’ if you can’t challenge us!?