All in Resilience
Rejection is not the end of the world, although it may feel like it at the time. Applying for art opportunities is part of the process of being an artist, whether it is for exhibitions, collaborations, residencies, grants or any other project you dream up. Not all applications are successful, which makes the ones you do get accepted for even sweeter.
Its a challenge of our times to find peace when all around descends into chaos. I have been repurposing circles of paper I made during the pandemic when we were all forced to stay within our homes. These circles became cyanotypes, the blue and white layers become portals of peace.
I have worked with shadows before. Taking photographs and drawing the lines they make that are a part of the object yet separate entities in themselves. Like putting a frame around pain and learning to dance with the shadow self.
I felt like a star having just climbed a pyramid in Guatemala and sauntered down the ‘Walk of Fame’ in Hollywood, USA in 2004. It’s a memory to focus on when I feel anxious at the outcome of my total knee replacement surgery. I dream of being able to climb up stairs again, or even go for a hike without excruciating pain.
I continually ask myself about the relevance of art and creativity. Is art relevant and why? I have been trying to understand the nature of duality and finding hope when we witness war. How do we navigate conflict? What role does art in its many forms play in creating the future and changing perceptions?
When creativity is flowing you feel alive and vital. But there are fallow periods in any artist’s life, and that is when you need to nurture yourself and build a scaffolding to support you as you revitalise your artistic practice.
I have always been drawn to travellers’ tales, both adventure travel tales as well as stories of the Roma people and travellers who were once a common sight camped in the English countryside. Thinking about travelling and finding shelter these past two weeks has led me to experiment with cyanotype prints out in the field with what materials I had to hand.
I’m drawn to rocks for inspiration, especially the bedrock upon which we build the structures of our lives. Looking closer, it is the striations and seam lines, the tiny holes in the rocks that are the most interesting. The cracks where change is most evident, bringing elemental forces in play.
What happens when you get out of your daily rhythm? You have to get back into flow. There are seven positive small actions I took to get back into the rhythm of creating again in my studio after five months away.
We are our own worst critics. We have so many ideas around failure that it is easy to get discouraged. Yet all is not lost. When you adopt a “never give up” attitude your lost days can turn into blessings.
