Allie Explores Art (amongst other things…)

…spend time every day doing what you’re best at and makes you happy. Grow!

the Plan… it’s good to have one!

Throughout my 25 years in recruitment (and as a Mum of course), I’ve coached folks to aspire to be the best they can, only walk toward those jobs that truly make them happy and to make every day count. In recent decades a growing family, business, and life have seen a very busy Allie, and, whilst there’s been a stack of fun along the way it’s been blinking hard work with a lot of ‘doing’ and very little ‘being’, and my old friend ‘ART’ really hasn’t featured very much at all! Which makes for a sad Allie! So, having hankered after being a ‘proper artist’ since the age of about 8 (I’m now the grand old age of 49!), I’ve decided to take my own advice, change direction and dedicate more time to painting. Woohooooooo!!!! I would really really really love to retire as the ‘best’ and most ‘successful’ artist I can be (whatever success looks like), so there’s the goal…

mmmm… so…How to set about this then?

Earlier this year I started out on what felt like a daunting journey to ‘find my style’, we all have one I’ve been told… But how do I know what mine is??? Well – I started off with my usual approach; read books, surfed the net, asked other artists, poured over Pinterest and Instagram – strangely enough, I didn’t find the answer… but every day I painted, or sketched, or took my camera out, and absorbed, and slowed my head down from the rushing around it’s been dealing with for years. And, the result of this activity? I have been delighted to find that, after a few months of practicing art daily – any art – in any amount – I have stumbled across the fact that for me (and I think others too), unearthing and voicing my artistic abilities and style is really as simple as:

  • trying out a whole load of new stuff
  • noticing what makes you happy and gives you energy
  • doing more of that…
  • repeat

This applies to any line of work of course, but I am over the moon to have the opportunity to play with art, to question and investigate and learn and express myself in paint (and maybe other mediums; who knows?) and maybe I will have a lightbulb moment when I hit the sweet spot? I have had the odd glimmer of a moment where I am proud of my efforts, and each time that’s happened I have treated that as a signpost pointing me in a direction, and maybe the big sign I’m looking for says “THIS IS ME’. Don’t know if I’ll get to that, but either way I plan to have a load of fun along the way and share my inspirations, experiments and revelations, paintings and processes here. WELCOME!

I aim to live and work through the following lense…Notice what makes you happy. Find your Joy. Breathe in fresh air. Experiment and learn.

the story so far…

I currently paint from the sense of joy and engagement that I get from my local surroundings and daily wanderings with my dogs / whilst running. I have lots I want to say visually having observed for many years without producing paintings. My focus is to bring a playful energy to local scenes, community, nature, and my fave animals, as a reflection of my own positive energy and desire to express joy and put smiles on as many faces as possible. I do this by using quite vibrant colours and a combo of townscapes, landscapes, and portraits; mostly in acrylics (other mediums also avail!), and so far I’ve been happiest with the resulting work when there are people/communities included in the focus; people have always been at the centre of my working world; why change now??

Welcome to this my Blog; I‘m excited to start sharing!

Education – Reading University, 1990-1993
Based – Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK.
Born – Lincoln, 1972
Life – Hubbie, 4 kids, 2 dogs, a love of running, swimming and gardening, meat free.
Travel – Mostly France (Alps in winter, West coast in Summer) and Ireland (Wexford)

Exhibitions – No biggies yet (watch this space)
Harborough Art Club Exhibition Sept 2021,
Solo local Exhibition Oct and Nov 2021
Chair Art 2021
New Member of Harborough Artists Cluster.