‘Where I create – there I am true’

Rainer Maria Rilke

Hello artist friend

I believe there is art inside you, the art that only you can make.

If you’re reading this, you’re an artist for sure. {Even if you can’t bring yourself to use that word yet.}

My work is all about supporting you in bringing out the part of you that fully knows and expresses that.

The part that reveals your inner world through paint in all the ways that are joyful, rich, fulfilling, rewarding, and true to you. Not copied, not overly influenced, and carrying your unique and distinctive signature.

If that sounds exciting but possibly like a tall order, you’re in the right place.

A bit of back story

I suffered from depression for almost twenty years. I lost my art for a long time, partly because survival mode was often taking up all available space, and partly because the depression removed access to it.

Creativity is the antithesis of depression, and it can contribute to healing, if you let it.

During my more lucid periods, I promised myself that if I ever made it out, I wouldn’t let it go to waste. I’d use my experience and learnings to do two things, which eventually became like a motto:

Make Art, Help People

I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, but I trusted it would unfold.

Eventually I did make it out, with a combination of approaches and a lot of work, and these days depression is no longer a feature in my life. And I do make art, and I do help people, although I couldn’t have imagined it would look like this!

Art played a huge part in the long journey out of it.

Other things helped too – Tai Chi, Reiki, finding a wise mentor, intensive long term inner work, starting a new life by the sea, and making some significant lifestyle changes – but the art has been with me since I was old enough to hold a pencil, even if I couldn’t always access it.

Maybe you’ve never been depressed. But I’m guessing you know what it’s like to lose your way.

And if you’re here reading this, and are ready to commit to your art in a way that truly expresses you, I’m here to help you listen and take action.

Action is where change happens, and for some of us art is the doorway, the path and the destination.

Your art, and your happy artist life, is waiting.😊👩🏼‍🎨

Let’s talk about what I mean by ‘happy artist’ for a minute.

Being a happy artist is not about ‘being happy’ all the time!

Sorry! 😉 But we all know that’s not a thing.

It’s about cultivating a life where your artistic expression is so deeply embedded into your day to day that there is no clear line where art ends and everything else begins.

Art is a non-negotiable in the happy artist’s life, whether that means it’s your career or an extra but essential well-filling part of your life.

I will never suggest that making art is a continually happy experience – sometimes it’s excruciating! – but when you’re making your art consistently and with integrity, that’s a very good and reliable way to up the happiness quotient in your life.

I don’t make art every day, I don’t love everything I make, and I don’t have fun every single second of it.

But I’m self expressed, and it only expands, deepens, and becomes ever clearer.

Because I’m a happy artist, my life is better. It really is that simple.

Art doesn’t fix everything, but it makes a fundamental and significant difference.

I want that for you. If it feels right to you, I’d love for you to join me. There are various ways to do that, but let’s keep this simple for now.

If you’d like to get to know me a bit better before making any financial investments, I invite you to sign up for Artnotes.