I am at a critical juncture in my creative career; I need to develop strategies that will help push me forward. I wanted to be on StudioBook as I knew the development programme would help me access a ‘tool-kit’ to redefine, readdress, and reconstruct myself as an artist.
What one anticipates and perhaps expects in life, can be very different from what one actually gets; Studiobook exceeded my expectations tenfold, I thought the experience was life changing, transformative and the construction of the course quite fabulous (albeit being extremely intensive). My head however is still spinning from the amount of knowledge shared, and knowledge gained. My mind and body is totally exhausted, and now sleep at present seems to be the order of the day. I need to let my brain settle for a while, before I start to disseminate everything.
What we all learnt and took away with us was so insightful and useful. One simple but massively essential lesson I have taken away from StudioBook is to always question. Particularly the questions that ask WHAT… WHY…WHEN…..HOW….WHERE…….WHO.
I think before StudioBook, I had lost my way somewhat, I sat on a confused crossroads of what to do next as an artist. During the course I recognised and realised that I had lost touch with my own questioning. Questions of what I was doing and why. A shocking realisation really, considering questioning is paramount to being an artist!
I do know from what I have learnt over the past two weeks, is that I will be re-addressing everything, I want to really look, think and question what I have before me – my website, my artist statement, my artwork even. It is about time that I re-engaged with questions, questions that will analyse and put me back on the right path.
I will be asking myself over the next month –
- WHAT I DO
- WHY I DO IT
- HOW I DO IT
- WHERE AM I TRYING TO GET WITH IT
I am curious to see where it all takes me.
I do want to thank the StudioBook team and all the amazing and inspiring artists that formed the fabulous and dynamic group of the participating artists in StudioBook 2017 for all that we shared & discovered.
Thanks to: Mark, Jack, Liz, Suzanne, Charlie, Lucy, Claire, Sue, lada, Libby, Anna, Mandy, Beth, & Claire 2….you are all fabulous!
