alisonlittleblog

https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4000887400212447

Welcome to the July edition of the alisonlittle.blog newsletter.

This month has been filled with thought-provoking conversations, inspiring exhibitions, creative exploration and outdoor adventures. From examining the darker side of music fandom to discovering powerful contemporary art in Manchester, exploring British identity, running the spectacular Wirral coastline, and sharing a brand-new psychological short story, July has certainly been a month of variety.

When Fandom Goes Too Far: The Dark Side of Band Obsession

When does loving your favourite band become something more concerning? This month’s feature explores the fine line between healthy enthusiasm and unhealthy obsession. From expensive concert culture and permanent tattoos to the rise of toxic stan communities, the article asks an important question: at what point does admiration begin to consume our lives?

Michaela Yearwood-Dan: The Practice of Liberation

One of the highlights of July was visiting The Practice of Liberation at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s vibrant exhibition blends painting, ceramics, textiles and sound to create an immersive exploration of Blackness, queerness, femininity, faith and freedom. Rich with symbolism and colour, the exhibition demonstrates how art can become a powerful act of healing, resistance and liberation.

David Hockney at Westminster Abbey

This month also revisited David Hockney’s striking stained glass window installed at Westminster Abbey in 2018. Created using iPad technology to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the colourful design divided opinion from the moment it was unveiled. Was it a brilliant marriage of contemporary art and historic architecture, or an uncomfortable contrast within one of Britain’s finest Gothic buildings? The article explores the debate and reflects on the window’s lasting legacy.

Running the North-West Coastal Path

Austin the Jack Russell and I continued our North-West Coastal Path adventure, tackling the beautiful Wirral coastline from New Brighton through West Kirby and onwards to Neston. Historic landmarks, sweeping promenades, hidden beaches, wildlife and the peaceful Dee Estuary combined to create one of the most rewarding coastal runs we’ve experienced so far.

What Is Britishness?

What does it really mean to be British in the twenty-first century? This reflective article considers identity, heritage, diversity and the values that continue to shape modern Britain. Rather than offering simple answers, it encourages readers to think about how culture, history and community contribute to our shared identity.

Mastering Digital Fruit Sketches

Sometimes the simplest subjects make the best artistic studies. This month I returned to digital still-life sketching with bananas, limes and strawberries, exploring colour, texture and form while demonstrating why fruit remains one of the most effective ways to develop drawing skills.

New Fiction: The Other Woman

July also saw the release of my latest psychological short story, The Other Woman.

A young graduate begins an affair with a charismatic older married colleague, convincing herself she can live with being his secret. Everything changes when she discovers a hidden collection of intimate photographs revealing she is only one of many women in his carefully constructed world. A story of manipulation, betrayal, resilience and self-discovery, The Other Woman explores the courage it takes to walk away and start again.

Looking Ahead to August

There’s plenty to look forward to next month.

Austin and I will continue our North West Coastal Path journey, this time running from Lytham to Fleetwood, taking in the famous seaside resort of Blackpool along the way.

Readers can also look forward to the return of The Branded Hotel one of this year’s most popular fiction series, as we discover what happens next to the characters.

We’ll be spending more time exploring the beautiful gallery grounds at the Whitworth in Manchester, uncovering new exhibitions, artistic discoveries and hidden corners, alongside plenty more features, photography and adventures throughout August.

Thank you, as always, for reading and supporting alisonlittle.blog

I hope you’ve enjoyed this month’s collection of articles, stories and adventures, and I look forward to sharing even more with you next month.

Until then, happy reading—and happy exploring!

Alison Little