Morthoe, and the need to be alone...

A house sit in Barnstaple, October 2011 enabled me to get out to the North Devon coast to paint. However, it became apparent to me that painting should probably be a solitary activity - unless you are with similar minded artists who are all happy to give each other space and time.

To Bull Point Lighthouse, Mortehoe Watercolour.  2nd October 2011. Size: 18.5cm x 13 cm £45.00  Unframed.

I was struggling with feelings of guilt at wanting to go away to paint. I would be leaving my unhappy boyfriend behind yet again... I was wondering if other artists have this selfish need to spend time alone? And how their partners cope with it? (Insert advice here please!) Since I don't have a studio, and rarely ever paint indoors, finding something inspiring on your doorstep can be difficult. I'm not actually sure if it is selfish - to need time alone for ones painting? It's like reading a book - it's not a joint activity.

Grunta Beach, North Devon Watercolour.  2nd October 2011. Size: 26.5cm x 18.5 cm £50.00  Unframed.

Although I work away a lot in the summer, painting always gets sidelined and comes after work. It's hard to fit it into sporadic odd hours and difficult to switch mindsets from one activity to another. I try to tell myself that painting is my work to get it higher up the priority list... and denying my needs will only lead to further frustrations...

So in my bid to try and make everyone happy, I compromised by inviting my boyfriend and then a family member along on the trip. It didn't work so well for me in terms of painting - I didn't get very much done at all compared to time alone. It's just so difficult to have someone waiting for you. I ended up just deciding to enjoy the lovely walks, beautiful scenery, and crap weather. I always feel like it's a lost opportunity not to paint if I'm away though. 

This is Morte Point, Mortehoe on the North Devon coast path. 

It's a very inspiring place for me. View my last trips sketchbook in North Devon (5 days in April 2009) to compare work.

Morte Point, Morthoe Watercolour.  9th October 2011. Size: 26.5cm x 18.5 cm £50.00  Unframed.

I've read lots of interesting points recently in a book called 'The Artists Way' by Julia Cameron. Early in the book she talks about the need to refill our inner well, our artistic reservoir like restocking a trout pond. If we don't do that we become depleted, stagnant or blocked. Filling the well involves the active pursuit of images... The artist brain is the sensory brain: sight and sound, smell and taste, touch. She talks of doing what intrigues you, exploring what interests you, what delights you and is fun. Focus your attention on things and encounter life experiences, don't ignore them.

View of Woolacombe, North Devon Watercolour.  2nd October 2011. Size: 18.5cm x 13 cm £40.00  Unframed.

She recommends artists (and anyone creative) make dates with their inner artistic child, - especially if you have been neglecting it. This is something that you do by yourself, and just for you, something that you've really wanted to do - be it taking a few hours to visit a gallery, going to the beach to collect shells, take a drum lesson, whatever you want. It's about making time for your inner artist, to do something that will inspire you and refresh you. Protect this time at all costs - do not let chores be an excuse not to do it, or other people come along with you as a joint activity. This time is for you only to enjoy. This time must be protected.

Walkers cross Mortehoe Watercolour.  9th October 2011. Size: 35.5cm x 12.5 cm £65.00  Unframed.

When I read these things, I felt like she really new what I was struggling with, and she was reiterating how important time and space is to an artist. When I've been house sitting on my own in the past, I've been on an extended artist date. I've experienced and painted new places, I've restocked my pond to over flowing and without any distractions - I can get lost in my creative space and grow. Each day builds on the last and this 'work' (because painting each day becomes a purposeful habit) is highly fulfilling.

Space is also a wonderful thing for getting perspective on life though. And at least I've recognized that making space is an important part of being a healthy artist and that compromises aren't always helpful, no matter how well meaning you want to be.