I can’t believe it is already a year since I set myself the task of creating 50 pictures inspired by the Coast Path. But what a year it’s been!
When I set off from Poole on January 2nd, I never anticipated that my little project would be quite so challenging, would result in such extraordinary experiences or that I’d meet such extraordinary people – let alone appear on the SWCP podcast and the BBC news!
Nor did I anticipate the significant impact it would have on me personally; that I would end the year feeling renewed, enriched and with more faith in my own resilience and capabilities than I’ve had for a long time – as well as an increasing pile of sketches and paintings in my studio!
The magic of the Path
The Path works its magic in unexpected ways. I remember most looking forward to it providing the peace and time to think but, unexpectedly, it was the times when I wasn’t thinking that ultimately proved most valuable: the times when something compelled me to pull out my sketch book or camera; the tiny ‘treasures’ I pocketed; the things I wrote about each night. These instinctive responses were gentle reminders of what makes me happy, what makes me ‘me’. The Path restores our sense of self which, in a demanding world, is so often diminished.
I was also surprised by how walking and noticing sparked a creative magic, unlocking new ways of thinking. I began to notice how, after time on the path, my brain buzzed with ideas, my sketches became bolder and, back in the studio, my paintings had a new energy.
I now know that research has confirmed this to be ‘a thing’ – that time on the path awakens the senses and forces the brain to use multiple parts. Who would think there was so much to gain from simply ‘going for a walk’?!
The Creative Path
As the weeks and miles went by, I began to wonder if I could offer others the opportunity to experience its magic effects too. Gradually, the idea of Creative Path workshops was born and, with the help of North Devon SWCP Connectors Project Officer Huw Davies, I launched them in September. It was such fun! We walked, gathered, turned our attention to nature and – above all – played! We squished berries onto paper, wondered what the trees might be thinking, let our pencils go wild and laughed, a lot. We shared, collaborated and took time alone to use our senses, to breathe it all in. It was such a success that we are planning to do more along the coast in 2024. You can find out more at http://www.emmascattergood.com.
Looking ahead to 2024
Yes, although this year has come to an end, my time on the Path hasn’t – and my walking/sketching and fundraising will continue into 2024! This is partly due to the year’s frequent storms and some unexpected health issues slowing my progress a little (I’ve still got a few more stretches of path to cover before I can hug the final marker in Minehead!) but it’s also thanks to being offered some more exciting opportunities to raise awareness of the SWCPA’s wonderful work.
50 Pictures for 50 years exhibition
The paintings inspired by my time on (what I’m now calling) The Creative Path will be shown in an exhibition at Durlston Country Park, Swanage, from July 4th to 18th, alongside the work created by community groups who have joined me along the way. My dream is that this will encourage more people to take a sketch or notebook out onto the path and enjoy the many benefits that creative play in nature brings.
Creating in Cornwall
I’m delighted to have also been offered an Artist Residency at Brisons Veor studios, from March 9th to 22nd, in order to finalise paintings for the exhibition. The studios are on the edge of the coast path at Cape Cornwall, so do let me know (via my website or social media) if you are passing by. I will happily swap a cup of tea and a biscuit for a little donation to the two worthy charities I’m continuing to fundraise for – the SWCPA, obviously, and Dementia UK. If you can’t come in for a cuppa, and see me, they would be so grateful if you could pop the price of one in the pot here https://www.justgiving.com/team/thecreativepathchallenge
I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who already have done so, to the wonderful team at SWCPA for their fabulous support and, most of all, to the South West Coast Path itself for making this such a life-changing year.
Keep in touch with me on instagram @escattergood_wordsandart on Facebook @the creative path – EmmaScattergood or at www.emmascattergood.com
This is the third blog in Emma’s series. Read Emma’s previous blogs about her year on the South West Coast Path or listen to Emma on our 630 Miles podcast where she discusses what inspires her creative coastal work.
Blog 1
https://blog.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/2023/02/17/fifty-pictures-for-50-years/
Blog 2
https://blog.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/2023/06/26/50-for-50-spring/
630 Miles Podcast – Inspired by the Coast
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/TApc3wIigFb
The South West Coast Path 