The Hardest Words...
"I am an Artist"
For many years we didn’t bother with a Christmas tree. When the boys were small we did. In later years, when circumstances were such that we stayed with family over the Christmas period, there seemed little point. Our house remained bereft of decorations - the Grinch would surely have approved.
But, life moves on, times change. We’re more settled now, after some difficult years, and the twinkling lights and flickering flames, hold us once more, under their spell.
“It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but it’s really a time of renewal and reflection.” —Elizabeth Camden
And as the candles bathe the room with a warm glow, a mug of hot chocolate cupped in my hands, and the 2023/4 planner laid out in front of me, I pause for my own reflection and renewal.
It took a long time, years in fact, before I answered the question, ‘And what do you do?’ with the words, ‘I’m an artist”. I used to mumble, somewhat incoherently, that I dabbled with paint. People would nod, and I would quickly change the conversation, shutting down any further questions. As I began to regularly sell pieces, I whispered those words slightly louder, but still in that throwaway, ‘I’m just dabbling’ kind of way. AND, even though now, I appear confident when taking part in art fairs, and don’t hesitate to say ‘I’m an artist’, I still found it difficult to believe that this ‘thing’ I dabbled in was actually WHO I AM, and that it was ‘a business’. Until now.
I wouldn’t say I had a ‘Road to Damascus’ moment, a sudden insight; it was more a creeping acknowledgment that I actually do run a business. Doing something I love. Reviewing this year, especially these last months, seeing what I had achieved, large and small…whilst, at the same time, looking to future plans - well, it all seemed ‘businesslike’. Collections, collaborations, joining an art group, building a community, monetisation, arranging interviews, editing, filming, gathering and creating content etc. And, at the heart of it all, painting!
There’s a belief in myself, a tiny kernel, that is slowly growing…I can actually make this work.
Now, I wouldn’t say that I am a ‘woo woo’ kind of person; far too down to earth for that BUT… As I sat here typing the last paragraph, I checked my watch, seeing if it was coffee time, when I caught sight of the silver bracelet nestled underneath the watch strap. It was one of the last things my Mum ever gave me…a silver acorn…
Mum - this is for you - ‘I am an artist’.
Oh, and talking of future plans: here’s a Christmas gift for you… This is my inaugural Coffee Break Chat with artist Ingrid Hill whom I first met when we were both exhibiting at Thornton Art Exhibition. She was very supportive, giving lots of advice to this nervous newbie, and kindly ‘volunteered’ to be my first guinea pig, sorry, interviewee…
(Hopefully, the nerves will dissipate the more interviews I do, and my grasp of the technical aspects improve…)
Thank you Ingrid for your generosity…and patience!
If you are interested in Ingrid and her work please check out her website and social media feeds:
Website: www.ingridhillart.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ingridhillart
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ingridhillart
Creeping realisations are ‘de rigueur’ at the moment. The previous month has seen me fall ill with one malady after another. I’ll be honest, I was feeling sorry for myself. But this particular morning, the sun was shining, the sky was blue: I dragged myself out for a walk. Whether it was the fresh air, the beautiful sunrise, the skies, the berries, the rhythm of walking, or a combination of all of the above, it dawned on me. I hadn’t done this in ages. And I should have; being outdoors, in nature, replenishes me. Returning home, a sudden flurry of activity saw me completing chores that had been lingering on the to-do list. I even found myself in the studio. I was just going to tidy up, but one thing led to another, and before I knew it, well, let’s just say it was productive! Click here if you want to see what I got up to!
Before I go, here’s one fun thing to try over the Christmas period; make your own word cloud. For me, it’s just an alternative way of combining all my thoughts and hopes for the coming year!
I made this using word art.com…
As ever, I hope you found something to interest and inspire you - until next time!
If you enjoyed reading, and know someone else you think might also, please feel free to share….
The interview is really okay! Really interesting and well conducted! Love the « cozy chat » formula
Really interesting read thank you, and for the link to Word Art. I used to have a text app which long since disappeared and had such fun with it so am looking forward to trying it out.