Just Begin: A 15-Minute Painting Practice That Reignited My Creative Spark

There was a time when I hadn’t painted in years.

I was burnt out after three years at Wimbledon School of Art and all the years building up towards the moment that I got into my first-choice art school.

Not long after my husband and I bought a house in Sevenoaks...a fabulous home with lots of hidden original Victorian features where I could explore my love of interiors and houses. I have always loved houses, I used to draw and paint them constantly as a child... and probably drew on a few walls too!

We had our two daughters, and somewhere in that happy, busy time, my own painting and drawing seemed a distant memory . The joy of watching them paint so freely, so unafraid it began to relight a smouldering fire in me.

Still, I was nervous, scared to try again, scared I wouldn’t be any good, scared I’d forgotten how.

I told myself I was too busy. I’d try tomorrow. I’d do it when I felt 'ready' but deep down I missed it.

Our girls were now at school full-time and I had a building in the garden to use as a studio and I missed the happiness that painting gave me.

I missed the colour and the quiet space where you lose track of time, the moment when you stop thinking about how something should look, and just let it be what it is. One day sitting in my 'studio' space, I realised I could just start off small.

A timer. A brush. Two colours. Fifteen minutes.

That’s all I gave myself. And it changed everything.

This small practice became my way back to creativity and maybe, it could be yours too.

I often hear people say to me: “Oh, I can’t paint.” “I don’t have the time. “Life gets in the way. “I’m not creative.”..... so I thought I’d share this with you, because maybe you’ve been feeling stuck, or scared to start. Maybe you think you’re “not an artist,” or that it’s “too late,” or just “not your thing" but there’s something healing about sitting with a blank canvas and letting whatever wants to come through, come through.

You don’t need to know where it’s going.

You just begin.

1. Start Small, Stay Gentle

I gave myself permission to start with just fifteen minutes.

No pressure to make “art” No big expectations, just a little window of time to play with colour.

I chose two colours that made me feel calm. I didn’t try to paint a thing. I let the brush wander. Lines, shapes, swirls ...whatever came out.

And that was enough.

That was painting.

2. Create a Ritual Around It

You could light a candle. Play some music. Or simply sit in silence.

The important thing is to make it feel like a gift to yourself...not a task. A little pocket of stillness in your day.

3. Let Go of the Outcome

The hardest part? Letting go of how I thought it should look.

But I learned something important,

What comes through when you stop trying is often more honest, more alive, more you.

And that’s what art is really about.

Maybe This Is Your Sign

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start painting... maybe this is it.

You don’t need fancy materials. You don’t need a studio and you don’t need a plan.

You just need a few minutes, a surface, and the courage to begin.

Try This Today

• Set a timer for 15 minutes

• Pick two colours that reflect your mood

• Put a brush, pencil, coloured pencil, pastel - whatever you have - to paper

• Don’t stop until the timer ends

• When you’re done, don’t judge it. Just notice how you feel

...That’s it.

Coming Back to Myself

This practice didn’t just help me start painting again it helped me come back to myself, to the part of me that feels, that explores, that doesn’t have to get it right.

And I hope it does the same for you.

Just begin.

I'd Love to Hear from You

If you try this, I’d love to see what you create or hear how it made you feel. Tag me on Instagram or drop me a message. I truly love seeing how creativity comes to life in others.

Thank you for reading x