Finding balance through art

Last year was busy with lots of classes in my garden studio and meeting new people keen to try different experiences. Finally, more and more people are recognising the benefits of art as a pleasant escape from the routines of everyday life.

Slowly but surely the therapy provided by creative pursuits is becoming fundamental to creating balance in our lives.

There was a time when creating art meant specific skills being taught in quite rigid ways, where ‘mistakes’ were not thought of as ‘happy accidents’. Those days are long gone and with them a freedom to express and respond to things that inspire us in a non judgemental way.

Whilst artists have always been known for breaking boundaries and challenging the status quo, now more than ever there is value in our self expression in art.

As an artist I have learnt many formal skills and I do believe there is great value in teaching things like perspective, composition, proportion etc. I do this and it helps as a platform for people to see the world around them and how they might interpret it.

Once we have the tools, we can use them creatively and with confidence in self expression. Art is about fun and discovery and building confidence. This is always my focus when I am teaching. It is about knowledge and understanding but alongside that the encouragement to explore and experiment.

With these things in mind I look forward to challenging my own techniques and experiments and sharing them with others in this new creative year.

Check out my Instagram (@ritathorn) to see what I’ve been up to recently.

In other news, I have two upcoming exhibitions, one at Lower Slaughter over the Easter period and one with Chipping Campden Art Society at the end of May.

Have a great creative year everyone!