Painting through the lessons

Painting is a slow and thoughtful process for me; you have to build patience.  The colours have to build up in layers; the painting looks messy before it starts to emerge into something. You have to trust the process because sometimes you are unsure if it will turn out how you imagine it.  In my previous life as a nurse, it felt like I was nonstop and still not getting through the list of jobs that needed to be done. I felt like I never had breathing space; no matter how fast I worked, I could never keep up. 

Slowing Down

This past year has been a real learning curve for me; it has been challenging to learn to slow down, let go of the pressure to be constantly doing in order to feel my worth.  I am so grateful that I finally have the opportunity to pursue painting, to figure out what I want to create and how I want to present my work.  Sometimes I want to rush through a painting so I can see if it will turn out the way I want, but creativity doesn't work like that. It is about unleashing something else within: a human connection, self-expression, and it cannot be rushed.  Slow down, take a breath, look at the world around you, take it all in and enjoy the process. 

Making Mistakes

This year has also taught me the importance of making mistakes, and being ok with it (well, that is still work in progress!). I have to remind myself that mistakes are a way of learning, growing and improving.  The process of letting go and moving forward from mistakes, taking what you have learnt and improving is what I am constantly reminding myself of.  Again, coming from a nursing background, making mistakes was not something you wanted to make a habit of, that pressure of always needing to get it right is still with me and stepping away from that, I realised how stressful that was for me and learning to let that go has helped me almost unravel from the tangle of always having to get it right left me in.

I have a strong interest in art therapy and I have used my art this past year as a type of therapy for myself.  I have taken the time learning to let go of old habits that were working against me, learning to slow down and realise that I can go at a pace that is right for me, take a beat and enjoy the process, stop rushing to get done and learning to accept mistakes as a positive way of moving forward and improving.

So, for the year ahead, I hope to continue to find the quiet joy of painting the places that inspire me, the places I love and that bring a sense of calm and home.  I hope you enjoy the paintings and look forward to seeing what it is to come.

Warm wishes,

Ciara x