The Storyteller Was Always There

Series: The Unexpected Journey

A blog series by Laura V Jordan

Chapter Two – I Learned

The Storyteller Was Always There

From people, places and community to finding another way to tell stories.

When I look back now, I realise that storytelling has probably been part of me for much longer than I ever understood.

Before I had a paintbrush in my hand, I had a camera, a keyboard and a genuine curiosity about people.

Covering press for Village Green Festival with The Mayor of Southend 2019, David Amess and The Music Man project

I have always loved finding out what makes someone tick. What they are passionate about. Why they started their business. What makes their eyes light up when they talk about what they do.

And I think that is why Love Leigh-on-Sea became such an important part of my life.

What started as an idea grew into something I could never have imagined. For more than 14 years, I have been sharing the people, businesses, events and stories that make Leigh-on-Sea such a special place to live.

I’ve photographed shop windows, written about local businesses, shared community events and celebrated the people behind the businesses. I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way, and I’ve always felt incredibly lucky that people trusted me enough to share their stories.

Lunch, sea air & a little Leigh magic.

There is something about small businesses that has always fascinated me.

Behind every florist, café, baker, shop or independent business is a person who has taken a risk, had an idea and decided to give it a go.

I know now how much courage that takes.

Because I am doing exactly the same thing myself.

For years, I was comfortable being the person behind the camera or the keyboard. I could champion someone else quite easily. I could tell everyone else how wonderful their work was.

Meeting The Mayor of Southend on Sea at Village Green Festival in 2019

But telling my own story?

That felt very different.

Perhaps that’s why my artwork has been such an interesting journey for me.

Painting has made me look at things differently.

I started noticing little moments everywhere.

A beautiful bunch of flowers in a local florist.

A gorgeous cake sitting behind a bakery counter.

A coffee and a quiet moment in a café.

The colours and shapes around me when I’m walking through Leigh.

Something catches my eye and I want to capture it.

Sometimes I sketch it. Sometimes I photograph it. Sometimes it stays in my head until I get home and pick up a paintbrush.

And those moments have become the inspiration for my greeting cards and gift wrap too.

I love the idea that something I’ve noticed and loved can become something that someone else chooses to send to somebody they love.

A little piece of a place.

A little piece of a moment.

A little piece of a story.

It feels particularly special when those stories are connected to the local businesses and people I’ve spent so many years supporting.

That’s something I don’t want to lose as my art journey grows.

Meeting Beach for Tiger, Chris Bourne and Katy For Kings at Village Green Festival 2019

If anything, I want to take it with me.

My art and Love Leigh-on-Sea might look like two different things from the outside, but to me they are connected by the same thread.

People. Place. Connection. Storytelling.

And perhaps that is why I have become increasingly excited about the possibilities ahead.

I’m beginning to see how my different worlds might sit alongside one another rather than compete with each other.

My social media experience.

My community work.

My love of writing.

My artwork.

My cards and wrapping paper.

My relationships with local businesses.

They are all part of the same story.

I’m still learning, of course.

I think I always will be.

But something has shifted in me.

I’m no longer just standing on the sidelines cheering everyone else on.

I’m beginning to step forward myself.

And that has been both exciting and a little scary.

‘Love Leigh On Sea’ Sole sponsor of The Leigh on Style fashion show in July 2019. With Sarah Cawood as presenter and some of the models at the show.

Because when you have spent years making other people feel confident, it takes courage to turn that same belief back towards yourself.

I’m learning to do that now.

And I’m discovering that perhaps the storyteller was always there.

I just hadn’t realised that one day, I would become part of the story too.

Until next time…

In the next chapter, I’ll share the moment I took some very nervous first steps into the art world, joined Southend Art Club and began putting my own work in front of other people.

And believe me, I was nervous.

But sometimes you just have to put yourself out there and see what happens.

𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓛𝓪𝓾𝓻𝓪 𝔁𝔁

“Every painting tells a story. Every story leaves a little colour behind.”