Demelza Dhotel

06/06/2026

Day at the Farm today. So of course, I got my camera out. 😄🐑🐷🐮🐴

Enjoy! xx

05/06/2026

~Mended by Kintsugi~

She looked around..
Next to her a well loved book.
Corners folded to mark the pages.
A long trail of library stamps
which gave clues to its age.

The china teacup she held
slightly cracked and chipped.
The teapot sat on the scratched
living room table, with a mismatched
lid that didn't quite fit.

Her favourite silver vase,
Held together with glue.
The heels all worn down
on her favourite shoes.

Her battered diary contained, within it
dried and pressed flowers.
Her antique wooden cabinet.
Stood the test of time,
through the waning hours..

And suddenly, she realised
that much like her cherished treasures.
Broken and yet still, valuable.
She was beginning to feel 'mended'

Her soul, though storm weathered.
And once shattered into a thousand fragments.
Now brought piece by piece
back together with loving care.

Slowly transforming, into someone new,
Her cracks painted, and decorated with gold.
Each fracture and scar, a story of resilience to behold.
Glinted and gleamed, her bright light seeping through.

Yes, she built a mosaic out of her brokenness.
An imperfect, yet beautiful masterpiece.
Complete and whole...
She felt more at peace, and 'mended' now...

Within her heart and soul.

Poem:© Demelza Dhotel. 2024.
Artwork: Ed Perkins. 'Repair' From his Kintsugi
collection.

******
Just as our pain and scars never completely go away, though they may soften in time, they become a part of us and our unique histories, in the Japanese Philosophy of Kintsugi and Wabi Sabi, beauty is found in what is broken or imperfect. Cracks and chips in pottery are transformed and honoured with beautiful gold paint. Reminding us that we are all imperfectly perfect. ✨🩷

"Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in."

-Leonard Cohen, “Anthem”

Poem and Artwork © Demelza Dhotel.
Watercolour, Acrylic, Gold pen (removable overlay)
White Roses to contest against the watercolor Peony.

05/06/2026

Wishing you all a very happy Friday.
With love,

Demelza ✨🩷🌸

© Demelza Dhotel. 2026.

***
I will upload this on my art page this weekend,
if anyone would like to buy a print.

03/06/2026

Rain collects as gems
on gold and green leaves, magnifying
the smile of the Sun.

© Demelza Dhotel. 2026.
Side note: Just a short Haiku tonight, whilst I'm working on a painting for my Kintsugi poem. ✨💚💛🌿 💧

***
Apart from looking very joyous and pretty. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is often used in herbal remedies, best known for its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is primarily used to manage mild to moderate depression and low mood, however, it may not be appropriate if you're taking other medications.

03/06/2026

Sometimes you have to look back and choose which parts of your journey you want to carry forward, and which you want to leave behind...

I created this fashion collection many years ago, and looking back at it now, one thing stands out. Although I eventually decided that fashion design wasn't the path for me, it's an incredibly demanding industry and this collection alone cost me thousands of pounds to produce, using high end luxury fabrics. I realised that some of the ideas behind the work I produced never left me.

I've always been fascinated by the Japanese concept of "Wabi-Sabi" finding beauty in imperfection, transience and the changing seasons. Which was what this collection was about.

Now, I try to carry elements of this philosophy into my poetry and illustration as it's something very close to my heart and how I see the world.

I intend to explore this more in my work because, I believe there is much we can learn from Japanese wisdom, especially in a world that often demands perfection.

At the moment, I'm working on a new artwork inspired by "Kintsugi" the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Rather than hiding the cracks, Kintsugi celebrates them, transforming damage into part of the object's unique history and beauty.

Perhaps, there's a lesson in that for all of us?

Do you sometimes look back at your old work to inspire new ideas in the present?

Wishing you all a magical Wednesday.

Much love,
Demelza ✨💜💫

02/06/2026

~The Light-bringers~

When the world feels bleak and dark
And sadness sits with you.
Look for those with loyal hearts,
of kindness and beauty true.

Those that emanate such warmth
that their very presence
feels like a warm hug to the soul.
And that hold their guiding torch in hand.
Reminding you to keep your steadfast resolve.

When it feels like the world, is losing its way,
out of kilter, spinning out of control.
Search for those calm of spirit
to help soothe your worries and console.

And search for those that feel like the Sun.
You won't need to look very far.
For there are many unsung heroes
Whose hearts shine bright like stars.

And if in the vast ocean of space.
You're struggling to navigate your way.
Let that sadness sit, with you, in place.
Until the light finds you and washes it away.

For there are many
light-bringers out there.
The lighthouses,
the moon, stars and sun.

Shining their guiding light.
And who knows
perhaps, a light-bringer...

You are one.

******
Poem © Demelza Dhotel. 2024.
Illustration © Demelza's Art 2025.

Side Note:
Thought I'd share this one, especially as it's been a bit grey and rainy here in the UK over the last few days. When the weather is gloomy, sometimes you have to look for the other things that bring a little joy and sunshine into your day. ☀️

What's brought you joy today?

For me, it's getting tickets for Gardeners' World Live and the Good Food Show as a birthday treat to myself this month. I've also got a theatre ticket to see the amazing Alice Roberts there, which I'm really excited about.

I was hoping to attend a few other talks as well, but unfortunately they've all sold out. Still, I'm absolutely thrilled to be seeing Alice. It looks a great day out. Another highlight coming up is Ladies' Day at Redcar Races, which I always really look forward to too. 🐎

Sometimes it's the little things on the calendar that brighten even the rainiest days isn't it.

Wishing you all a very happy June.
With love,
Demelza ✨💛x

01/06/2026

I’m so excited and honoured to be taking part in this year’s Morecambe Poetry Festival. 💛

There so many incredible poets on the programme whose work I’ve admired for years, so I’m looking forward to hearing them read and meeting some of them in person. I’m also delighted that I’ll get to see the wonderful Henry Normal and Brian Bilston again! ☺️

This year's festival marks the centenary of Eric Morecambe’s birth, which is particularly special and meaningful.

I can't wait!.. You can book tickets on the Morecambe Poetry Festival page. 🎟️

Much love,
Demi ✨💜

It's our 5th birthday! celebrate with the biggest and best poets from across the country. Held at the fabulous Winter Gardens and Kings Arms.

01/06/2026

🌞 Good morning ☀️

I'm really excited to share that 'Adolescent Hercules' are launching their very first anthology, beautifully designed and compiled together by Trev Teasdel and Peter Gough

There are so many wonderful poems in this collection, and I'm absolutely delighted to have one of mine included too.

If you're local, or visiting, it would be lovely to see you there. Come along, celebrate with us, and enjoy an afternoon of poetry, singing, community and food. It promises to be a very special event.

Adolescent Hercules Anthology Launch:
2:00pm, Wednesday 10th June
2B Creative Health
Hill Street Centre
Middlesbrough

Hope to see some of you there!

31/05/2026

✨Good afternoon ✨

It's been a weekend of garden centre visits, planting, and getting the garden ready for summer. 🌿🌸

Last year, I filled my main flowerbed with lots of vibrant colours. It looked beautiful, but because I chose mostly annuals, very little came back this year. So, I've decided on a complete refresh and have focused mainly on perennials that will hopefully return year after year.

I've also sown some mixed Cosmos seeds along the wall to add height and colour later in the season, along with some sunflowers in the corner for a cheerful splash of sunshine. 🌻

This year's colour palette is centred around different shades of purple, with little pops of yellow throughout, as they're such a beautiful complementary combination.💜💛

So far, I've planted:

🌿 Lupin
🌿 Geranium 'Dusky Crug'
🌿 Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve'
🌿 Inca Purple (which is so pretty!)
🌿 Lychnis flos-cuculi 'Jenny'
🌿 Rudbeckia
🌿 Mermaid Lavender

I'd still love to add:

💜 Delphiniums
💜 Irises
💜 Foxgloves
💜 Alliums
💜 Violets

(Other suggestions/tips?)

At the moment, everything looks a little sparse, but that's all part of the process. I'll keep you updated on how the seeds are growing and how the plants establish, spread-out and flourish over the coming weeks, with more photos.

My youngest loves "helping" with the gardening... although his version mostly involves finding insects, giving them names, and deciding they're his new pets! 🐌🕷️🐜😆

So, my next project will be building a little bug hotel with him, which I'm sure he'll love.

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend. I'd love to hear what you've been up to, so let me know in the comments! 💕

Much love,

Demelza ✨🩷

30/05/2026

🌞 Good morning 🌞

Many of you know me as a writer, author and poetess, but did you know that my first creative love was art and design?

For several years, my paintbrushes stayed tucked away a bit more while I focused on raising my children and juggling the demands of a busy career. Although art never left my heart, there simply wasn't the time or energy to pursue it with the same intensity as before. During that period, I also faced challenges with my mental health, which made it even harder to reconnect with my creative passions.

When my second child started attending nursery in the mornings, I suddenly found myself with a few precious hours to myself. Initially, I planned to write a children's book, but along the way I discovered how much I enjoyed writing poetry. What began as one idea evolved into a poetry collection about family life, Spilling Words.

It was poetry that led me back to creativity in a new way. Through writing, I rediscovered the joy of artistic expression and gradually found my way back to painting and illustration.

Today, I am delighted to combine these two passions, poetry and art, using words and images together to tell stories, evoke emotions, promote well-being and celebrate the beauty of nature.

Here are a few examples of my illustrative artwork. I hope you enjoy them. I am still in the process of uploading more pieces, but the artwork shown here is available as prints in a variety of formats, as well as on a range of homeware and gift items.

Link in comments and in bio.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

With love,
Demelza 💐💙x