Artynoons

At the tender age of 45 (!), I invited my nearest and dearest to share an ‘ARTYNOON’, to celebrate my mid-forty’s Birthday with an afternoon of soul-filled connection, discovery, and artmaking.

A couple of months later, I commenced a taster into Art Therapy, and tested my ability by committing to 18 months and 100 placement hours, through an Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy. I wanted to see if this was my new direction, not knowing at the time that learning about this magical modality meant leaning in and learning about myself and navigating my world around me. 

I also came to learn that I had decades of lived experience that, once I had processed (and continue to), I could share with others. 

Fast forward a few more years, and I took myself back to university to test myself even further by completing a Master of Arts Therapy, over 2.5 years, with 750 clinical placement hours, during COVID, and boy was I tested! 

On the eve of my 50th Birthday, I submitted my final project, popped the champagne, curled up into the fetal position, fell in a heap, and celebrated reaching another decade with restrictions being lightly removed, and began piecing my nervous system back together.

Art and illustration have always been a method of exploration and curiosity as well as a practice of mindfulness and relaxation. It gives me pure joy and keeps me balanced. Although I have been creative in effect throughout my career as a Graphic Designer, I would consider myself a rookie artist who could do well with practicing what I preach and stepping further out of my comfort zone. My first job was as an illustrator, but I put down the pencils for years to explore design. Cathartic and terrifying in equal measures, I continue to learn, grow, and express myself through the process. In my head, my life of art and art therapy is wonderfully balanced and buoyant!

(NB this page is in progress, as am I!)