My first remembrance of Art in my Life was at Fenstanton Junior School, London 1959. standing in front of a large wooden easel in a huge tall windowed classroom. My next was the following Christmas in South Wales. I was sitting at the end of the kitchens wooden table absorbed in my task of playing with paints, whilst being surrounded by family and noise.
A persistent urging to take up Art had been following me for a while. Taking notice of the prompts, I entered the delightful hum of expressive art at the Masterton Art Club in 2014. Each class delighted me and awakened my creativity.
When I moved back to Hastings I joined a small group of beautiful artists at the Kairos Centre for Artistic and Therapeutic Development, directed by Margaret Mary Farr. After a year of fun with watercolours, I enrolled in a course called The Heart of Art. I was in the right place as my heart and soul blossomed. I earned my certificate in the Introduction Year to Artistic and Therapeutic Development 2016. There is also a Post Graduate offered so I will one day work towards that.
"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain." - CARL JUNG
Quite by chance, a dear friend introduced me to the joy of using ink on specialized paper, and a dash of solution. I loved the free flowing ink, and the changes in depth of colour, shape and shadow. Working on ceramic tiles, card designs, and framed large works, I have now integrated this practice into other areas of my creative life. I noticed the therapeutic value of each piece, taking time to study and reflect, further enhancing their meditative quality.
During 2008, I trained as an Interactive Drawing Therapist. Leading on from this, I wove my therapeutic training into my artwork and the ‘Tree of Life’ study came into being. This is a sacred and colourful portrayal of a client’s life that journeys through their years.
On the eve of Anzac Day this year, the acrylic painting I had ear market for commemorating Anzac Day sold and with only hours left I had to come up with something! So I took specialized ink paper and outlined a rather dishevelled Poppy, filled it in with Crimson Ink, and GLORY...... the 'Dancing Poppy' range was born. Many love these for their vibrancy and uniqueness. They are on show in several galleries in the Wairarapa.
“In our Life, There is a single colour, as on an Artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of Life and Art..... It is the colour of LOVE." - Marc Chagall 1887 - 1985