The challenges of working the daily job and of caring for my father means there is often very little time for art. A large majority of artists face similar problems - the need to have a steady income from another source other than art. Or perhaps have responsibilites that mean they have less free time for artistic pursuits.
The danger is that the art becomes neglected and there is a great risk of what is called Artist Block. It's the same thing as 'Writer's Block'. This has happened to me a number of times. Most recently, the stresses and flux we all felt of coming in and out of COVID lockdowns manifested in a 13 month period of artist block.
Thankfully, in September 2022, I got the inspiration to read “The Artist way” by Julia Cameron, a book I have read many years ago.
It worked! I began the work of nurturing what Julia calls the ‘inner artist child’, and making time for art and artistic time. Keeping to a routine, not striving for perfection all the time, taking yourself for artist dates. And most importantly, the habit of writing morning pages. Writing 3 pages of literally whatever comes into your head first thing in the morning. It is quite amazing what happens when you do this. Lots of coincidences, synchronicities and happy accidents that give you encouragement to keep going. Signs you are on the right path start to pop up everywhere. The morning pages are also very cathartic and help to lessen anxiety and worries. It’s like having your own therapist.
By December 2022 I had completed a painting ‘Artist and two Malinois’ that had lain unfinished for 13 months. I’ve also begun a new painting with a working title of 'Brothers' - a large portrait of my father and his brother Christy. I have another painting bubbling under...'The Cats of Cahertymore'. A tribute to the feral cat colony of about 15 cats that my dad has inadvertently encouraged due to the 5 times a day feeding schedule. Thankfully now under control due to the trap and neuter efforts of Galway Cat rescue!
In terms of the ‘business’ of art, I rejoined Visual Art Ireland. Had a great one-to-one session with Elke Westen on the Visual arts helpdesk. Who said just keep doing what you're doing. Keep entering the competitions, keep going to the group shows, keep making the art.
This year for competitions I decided on four to enter. So I have made a submission to the Royal Hibernian Annual exhibition, The Royal Academy Annual exhibition in the UK and also to the Ardgillan Castle Open Call in County Dublin. Later in the spring I will enter the Ruth Borchard self portrait competition. Again an extremely high standard is required for this one, I will see how Artist and two Malinois gets on.
I find that a deadline works great for me. So it helps to have a goal in mind, to get that last work finished, photographed and entered. It doesn't matter if you don't get selected. Just keep trying.
I was successful in 2021 getting to the London Biennale and I will hopefully be successful again with this year's competition entries.
So I’m starting out 2023 in a very positive frame of mind and am excited about what the year will bring.
Charlotte at London Art Biennale and my painting 'Lockdown Buddies'