🎨 When You Don’t Know What You’re Making (But God Does)

A creative step-by-step and reflection from my family holiday in Ireland

I didn’t plan this piece.
I didn’t have a finished image in my mind or a clear message to share.
But I needed to create something.

This week, we’ve been away in Ireland on a family holiday—my husband Adam, our three sons, and their partners or friends. And while it’s been beautiful, it’s also been… well, noisy.

I realised something important:
I’m an introvert.
I love people deeply—especially my family—but I also need quiet space.
Time to think. Time to pray. Time to create.

And during this trip, I became aware of a shift. A natural one, but one that stirred my heart.

I know my sons well, but when they’re with their partners, I see different sides of them. The dynamics between them change too—there’s a different energy in the room when other women are around. And I found myself stepping back, wondering where I now fit in their world as they grow older, more independent, and begin to build lives of their own.

That’s when I knew I needed to create.

Not to produce something perfect.
Not to perform.
But to process.

✂️ My Step-by-Step Creative Process

I didn’t record a video this time (holiday mode!), so I thought I’d walk you through exactly how this piece came together. You might like to try something similar yourself—with or without a plan.

Step 1: Gelli Plate Play

I started with Gelli plate printing. I’m still figuring it out—honestly, I don’t always know what I’m doing with it. But that’s the beauty of it. I used acrylic paints in a mix of colours I love: blues, pinks, purples, and golds. I layered the paint and pulled prints without overthinking.

Step 2: Doodling with Posca Pens

Once the Gelli prints were dry, I added markings and doodles. I used a waterproof black pen and a white Posca pen to draw patterns—dots, spirals, cross-hatching—whatever came to me. Just letting the ink lead.

Step 3: Cutting into Waves

Next, I cut the prints into wavy strips and various shapes. Again, I had no plan. I just trusted the process. Sometimes scissors help you see something new.

Step 4: Inspiration from a 14th-Century House

We’d visited an old 14th-century house here in Ireland, and I saw a silhouette of a woman on the wall. That image stayed with me. I had an idea:
I’d place a black silhouette of a woman’s face at the bottom of the page… and turn the wavy strips into her flowing hair.

Step 5: Watercolour & a Happy Accident

At the top of the page, I used masking tape and watercolour paints to create shapes and angles. But when I peeled the tape off—it tore the paper. 🙃

It was frustrating.
But then I realised: I could just cover the tear with more Gelli print strips.
And that “mistake” ended up pulling everything together.

Step 6: Adding Contrast with Black & Pink

I painted the silhouette black, along with the gaps between the watercolour shapes. Then I added a bold Cerise Pink between the hair strips to give it vibrancy and contrast. That pink always brings me joy.

Step 7: Adding Scripture & Encouragement

Finally, I used a Posca pen and waterproof ink pen to write words of encouragement and Bible verses in the white spaces. Leaving those white gaps intentionally—because every piece of art needs rest, just like we do.

🌿 What This Taught Me

This wasn’t just an art piece.
It was a prayer. A conversation with God.
A reflection on the season I’m in.

With one son about to leave for university and the family dynamic evolving, I can feel the shift. I’m no longer the only woman in the room. I’m no longer the one holding it all together. And that’s okay.

I’m learning to step back.
To watch.
To release.
And to create—not for control, but for peace.

✨ Final Thoughts

If you’re in a noisy season…
If you’re navigating shifting relationships or feeling uncertain about your role…
If you’re craving quiet with God…

I want you to know this:

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You can create before you understand.
God often leads us through the process—not around it.

So grab your supplies.
Play.
Pray.
Make something messy and beautiful.

Because sometimes the most powerful messages come when we don’t know what we’re making.

With love and grace,
Bev x

💛 P.S. Want to explore your own creativity and faith in a gentle, soul-refreshing space? You can try the Creative Sanctuary for 3 days for just £5 and see what it’s like to create alongside God and other kind-hearted women:
👉 https://creativesoulspace.com/trial-member-for-3-days

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