Trying to turn the Rokkaku-Kyozo wheel at Kongobuji Head Temple, Koyasan, Japan
How do you pull yourself out of artistic depression? I knew I had to take myself away. To burn off all resistance and confront my fear. Two weeks in Japan. Yet every morning I’d wake up and wonder why I was putting myself through this test. Was it worth it?
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How do you make visible the invisible? On the ‘art island’ of Naoshima in Japan, artists have found inspiring ways to reframe the way you perceive time and its passing. It inspires me to slow down as well.
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What happens when you bury paper in the snow? It’s probably going to fall apart. But an ancient practice of burying the raw material fibres of washi paper in the snow renders the paper it makes beautifully white. It’s called snow bleaching.
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Your artistic children do not belong to you. They are life’s longing for self expression. Letting go of your art creations is important if they are to find new homes. Yet you can be full of anxiety - will they be loved by others as you love them yourself?
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My artwork Stitched Up on the front of the Paper: All Stitched Up catalogue
I have a collection of sewing and knitting patterns inherited from my mother, grandmother and great aunts. Their stories needed to be told. using the tools and materials of their time, I chose to stitch a narrative of resilience and adaption, pulling the threads of the past into our present time of climate upheaval.
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Invitation to my upcoming exhibition
What makes a successful art exhibition? Gallerists can provide a special bridge between an artist’s work and its audience, advocating for the artwork on the artist’s behalf. They handle the installation, marketing and selling of the art, leaving the artist free to talk to their audience and enjoy the ‘buzz’ of the exhibition opening.
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A favourite ceramic sculpture by Ann Ferguson with its daily frangipani flowers
Small children find magic all around them. When does that enchantment with the world dissipate? As adults its easy to become busy and disconnected from nature. I have been searching for ways to reignite my enchantment with the world through small daily acts which start a flow of gratitude.
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Ink Drawing (detail). Click on the image to watch its creation.
In Julia Cameron’s new book Living the Artist’s Way, she talks about Guidance as the fourth tool in living a creative life. Trusting your intuition is an intangible yet powerful way to journey through life. Trusting the process of creating allows me to feel confident when I am trying new techniques like this free form ink drawing.
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Cutting up an old print made from a collagraph of hessian sandbags.
As an artist, I am a collector. My garage and studio are crammed to the roof with THINGS! I don’t want to leave these as my legacy so it is time to declutter. I told a friend what I was doing and she suggested I watch “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” which totally resonated with me. Don’t leave your mess for someone else to have to clean up.
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Tidal Drawing 2023 (detail) - in hindsight I should have exhibited this
Do we truely value what we do? If the answer is no, is this about the ‘tall poppy’ syndrome or living ‘under the radar’ as a woman, to not draw attention to yourself? This undervaluing can translate into how you value your own creations and artworks. What do you choose to exhibit or share?
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