I’m proud to call myself a ‘Becoming Artist’. The founder of the Becoming Artist Movement Jessica Serran has been my mentor and guide since the end of 2015 and asked me;

What if you knew that your sensitivity was a gift and your kind of “crazy” is the source of your power? 

What if I told you that you could make art, and money, and have a career you love so much it hurts? 

Well, of course, I had to find out. This blog is about my growth as an artist, and my stepping into my powers as a woman in the prime of her life. I don’t proclaim to be the finished product in either sense, and I’m happy to share what I learn along the way. (Learning being one of my favourite activities).

The idea of ‘becoming’ has a magnetic pull for me. I love this quote from Mel Schwartz who describes an attitude of openness and limitlessness;

In the flow of becoming, we are no longer rooted in the hardship of fear, insecurity or the notions of mistakes. The fuller participation in our unfolding life assists us in the art of living well. Becoming is open and unlimited, being is structured and limiting. As the artist crafts their art, so might we look at our life. Learning to live artfully has us see our lives as a process open to inquiry and learning, always receptive to new meaning. Thus, we are always becoming.

I feel this so strongly, encouraged by Jessica. 18 months from never having painted anything that couldn’t be hidden away in a sketchbook I recognise, yet reject, all that the chattering chimps in my mind would tell me- “you’re not a real artist; you haven’t been to art school. Your talent is unproven… and so on…and on.” And yet I think I knew deep down that I could do this. Or at least that I’d never be truly happy unless I’d really tried, without fear of failure, or judgement, or ridicule.

In this short space of time I have not only worked with Jessica on believing in my self worth as an artist, but spent 3 weeks at the Porthmeor Studios in St Ives, Cornwall, learning with the gifted and generous tutors of the St Ives School of Painting and immersing myself in the environment of the revered group of painters who flocked to this pretty fishing village between the 1930’s and 1950’s.
In March I begin the year-long Porthmeor Programme, an intensive study programme at the School, culminating in a Group Exhibition.
I have been lucky enough to be offered a place in March, at beautiful and supportive Stiwdio Maelor in North Wales, on a two-week residency to develop and focus on my art. I have my first solo show at the Harbour House Gallery in Kingsbridge, Devon, in April this year, and in May will be travelling to Prague with 6 fellow artists for the inaugural International ‘Becoming Artist’ Exhibition.
I have quietly sold a dozen of my large paintings and am supported by a tribe of wonderful, encouraging cheerleaders on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You are my village, I could not do this without you all!
Now it’s time to take flight.  I’m so excited to share with you what happens next for me.
Becoming is a way of life. I highly recommend it.

Where Am I, And How Did I Get Here? Part 2