My Creative Space

Yesterday I was thinking about the different ways in which creativity is part of the way we live. Sometimes I hear people say they are not creative but I think we all are. We have to be creative in so many ways as parents, in our workplaces, in our relationships. And we all have the ability to create something unique, and this may take many different forms. Sometimes it's just a matter of finding an outlet, a vehicle, or seeing what is already there. My own journey with creativity began at an early age. As the child of two artists I lived in a family that immersed itself in art and craft, where creative pursuits were a priority, a part of daily life.

I'm sure this had a big impression on me, although I can remember my brother and I rolling our eyes at yet another gallery opening. Our house was always full of paintings, tapestries, ceramics, colour. Great value was placed on art and books and ideas. My dad spent many hours away at his studio, my Mum spent her days surrounded by wool & art & looms at the Workshop.

We had a funny old family life, a bit disjointed & at times solitary but we had many chances to experience the world from different angles and were encouraged to look, to see.

For a long time I battled with a desire to capture what I saw in paint and I felt like I had failed because what I saw and felt I somehow couldn't translate onto canvas. My father is a painter, I am not.

It was frustrating but I gradually relaxed and realised that I did not have to record everything I saw, the different light, the changing shapes and shadows. The colours, the seasons, the dreams in my head. It was possible to just enjoy it all, keep on looking, keep on seeing. I could be an audience even if I could not create the music myself.

And then I found the camera. In a way I now can use the camera as my eyes, it helps me record & make sense of what I see. Sometimes it's the bridge between my eyes and my heart, it gives me the ability to make & show my own version of the world.

I am not a true photographer of course. But I love it and it gives me freedom and space to be me. There are so many ways to live a creative life and this is just one small part of one small life. I wonder what you love to do, what you value & celebrate about your creativity?

I'm off to visit Kirsty and hope to see many of you too,

much love xo

ps: have a little peek at my shop, it's not quite complete but it's getting there! Big thanks to beautiful Charlotte for all her help xo