CHANGING THE WORLD

I AM CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE PAINTING AT A TIME AND IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF 2020

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Hey guys so I've been asked to write a story something about dreams. Something about me. So I've decided it's going to be based on a year and I'm sure you've guessed it - of course it's 2020.

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When I think back over 2020, January and February have few memories for me it's kind of like a blank. Sometimes I think 2020 has had such an effect on me but then I give myself a shake and it gets quite deep and quite real. February a few reports of a virus in China – ok. Keep going.

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So yeah, April and May wow that's when it really got real wasn't it? Two weeks before the Easter Holidays at my school (where I teach full time) it was clear the schools were gonna shut and we prepared packs to send home with the kids. We knew we'd be teaching from home preparing lessons that they could access, print out and work on with their parents. It felt unreal; scary and I was very worried about those kids who wouldn't have the support they really needed with their education.

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Alongside many others I vowed to exercise everyday. To lose the weight I wanted to lose and to do many, many amazing projects. Looking back reality hits hard! It was tough going fitting in working from home, exercise (never enough) and then... my scrolling on social media led to an encounter with Leigh Shenton - she was talking about a course I could join up to where her and Paula Mould would be mentors. Mentors to help me sell my art online. In many ways it seemed like a no-brainer it wasn't exactly like I was gonna be selling my art through art fairs and shows this year.

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However when I look back what I didn't realise was there was gonna be warmth, friendship, camaraderie within the group and mentors who definitely, definitely knew what they were talking about. To be really honest there have been times when I don't want to hear what they've had to say; times when it is all  too much; times when I've disagreed with them but overall I found a new excitement about my artwork - about my precious paintings.

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I realise how much I've learned there's still a long way to go but I can proudly say how appreciative I am of being a creative woman. Now we're in the summer holidays but life is nowhere near normal. I decided to branch out and explore more abstract style painting.

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Within what felt like a matter of weeks I'm creating abstract art that I love! Full of colour, full of movement, full of joy, full of love, full of nature, full of landscapes, full of trees, full of hope, full of exploration -  adventure and journey. I really feel this abstract art that I create comes from my soul - it speaks of life in its richness. It enables the viewer to pause and stop and be. It enables the viewer to think what is next and I totally love this.

So now I'm in the autumn, working full time at school but still promoting my art. Promoting my paintings, learning from Leigh and Paula and dreaming dreams of a time when I will be a full time professional artist.

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You see I've got my plans it can't be tomorrow or next week but I have a date in mind and it's not about waiting it's more about going on a long walk. You know there will be a cafe selling hot drinks and delicious cakes. You have a good idea of around the time you're going to get to the cafe and once you've been to the cafe the walk continues and that's how I see the next few years panning out. 

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I'm also realist and we never know what's round the next corner … so I have my plans and I've certainly got my dreams but I feel a sense of calmness that holds hands with indescribable excitement. The wonderful thing about daydreaming is you can do it wherever you are. You can imagine yourself where you want to be and you can smile to yourself inside because no one else needs to know these dreams but you can hold tight to them when the road gets rocky. I'm thinking this is a jolly good thing because we will get to the end of 2020 and life will still be tough. 2021 is not going to be a walk in the park but I do know that I feel more confident about who I am. The amazing joys that surround me and that as a professional artist I'm changing the world one painting at a time.