There isn’t any single motivating factor that keeps me making art, other than the feeling
of being compelled to produce it and wanting to learn more. It wasn’t money that’s for
sure. The thought of pursuing a “career” as an artist seemed like kind of a joke at times,
and I’ve had to be very patient at times. Frustratingly, many things only come together for
a person when the timing is right. I have made art all my life because I truly love it and I
need it. If I’m honest it certainly helps me maintain a respectable amount of sanity. I think
of my creative road as something that will continue to develop and evolve over time, and
as long as I just keep walking along it.
It’s important for me to see my own work in the context in which it was produced, and
not be too harsh a critic of myself. What I produced back there in the quagmire of young
children was just a stepping stone along the pathway of creativity to where I am now.
Where I will be next year or in five years is anyone’s guess. I read a quote once by Joseph
Chilton Pearce that said “to live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong”. I
used to think about that when I was having a moment of self doubt or a cringe moment
over past work. I just had to tell myself, “The more art I produce, the more discoveries I
make and the greater my knowledge and capacity becomes, I just have to keep making
art.”
There is inspiration to be found everywhere, all around us. Artists are natural observers
so it could be the smallest thing that inspires the next body of work, even a quote, “look
into all things with a searching eye” ~ Bahá’u’lláh. What drives my creative soul is an
important question and not easy to articulate, because I think it’s about needing the
feeling that I get when I’m totally immersed in making art. I go to an indefinable space
ABOVE: Catherine
in her studio with
‘Day dreamer.’
1210 x 1210mm
on the easel in the
background.LEFT: ‘Maiko’.
Acrylic on Canvas -
1020 x 760mm.‘Atatori’. Acrylic on Canvas -
1020 x 760mm.‘Natsu’. Acrylic on Canvas -
1020 x 760mm.‘Oka-San’. Acrylic on Canvas -
1020 x 760mm.