An arts practice can mean many things, and my relationship to my own arts practice has fluctuated and developed over the years.

To me, an arts practice is literally making art of any form, reflecting on experiences and making sure there is SOME space for this kind of creativity in my life because it is one of my values.

In the past few years my arts practice has primarily focused on hand making and textile art forms (embroidery, punch needle, crochet) particularly when I need a mind space to find flow within.

Recently my arts practice has developed some more consistency and a change in medium, prompted through my art therapy supervision. Using pastel paper, pencils and water soluble pastels, I create a base piece that is divided up into sections to be re-engaged with each day. This has created space for reflection and insight into how I experience the world.

My arts practice has been a developing relationship that fluctuates, accepting this as a non-linear fluctuating “thing” has opened up space for inconsistency and in turn, removing judgement and shame that gets in the way of continued arts practice. Consistency is a new thing that stemmed from allowing haphazard making without criticism. I’m also continuing to explore sketching and line drawing on site, in situ around Melbourne and when away. Practicing learning to decode what I see, instead of trees and grass, seeing lines and shapes and colours. When I’ve practiced this I’ve noticed how this has informed the way I reflect on experienced with others, learning to decode and remove the context my mind creates. How glorious!