welcome

I'm the art life coach who can't talk in arty b***s*** - it makes me cringe beyond belief.

And I've never exhibited in a posh gallery- they feel too cliquey for the likes of me.

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But I still believe in my art and I still live fully and authentically with art at the centre of my world.

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I've stopped feeling like I should be winning awards to prove I'm an artist, I've stopped yearning for validation from others, and I've stopped apologising for having an artistic soul.

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Here's how I finally worked out what I wanted my creative life to be.

I pressed pause. I decided that time spent pausing and pondering would ultimately help me make better decisions about my life, work and values - and I reframed my definition of success.  

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I took out my Artist Journal and started doodling, collecting and reflecting.

A drawing a day to keep self-doubt away.

 

Over time I saw themes emerge and I realised the place art had in my life that felt truly, instinctively, authentic for me.  I began to understand that I didn't want to be a famous artist with a zillion followers. I wanted to make art that made me feel good, and I wanted to help others to do the same.

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I reflected on what worked and what didn't, and channelled energy and action in that direction.

I realised I loved teaching most; watching others grow in confidence and skills, and making friends at my classes.

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"Creating my journal was the exciting spark I needed to regain my confidence; I now feel motivated and energised, with a clear vision for the future" ​

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But personal growth can be a lonely path to walk. In spite of the love and support of my (non-artistic but trying very hard) family, I needed a gang; some women like me to share the journey with.

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6 women, 6 weeks, one club.

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A group of women like me, perhaps: never properly oppressed but never properly privileged either.

Definitely arty women with no time for b***s***.  Maybe talented, intelligent and thoughtful women who habitually underrepresent themselves and put themselves last, who need space to breathe after years of childcare, eldercare, and general domestic 'meh'. And women who wished they'd followed a more creative path instead of twisting themselves every which way to fit in. ​

 

Or all of the above. 

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A new era beckons: we can hear our instincts calling us to make a change, and we feel it more powerfully every day. Once-beloved things feel superficial now. We're done (and I mean DONE) with answering to the demands of others. We want to feel connected to something true, authentic and artistic. We remember how we loved to draw, paint and create as a child and wish we still could - but it feels self-indulgent somehow, and anyway, we wouldn't know where to start.​

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"I joined Rachel's course at a time when I had lost my artistic sense of direction. The relaxed, mindful atmosphere of the group, combined with expert teaching, clarified my creative story so far. Perhaps more importantly, it helped me to find the path I want to follow- and I made some wonderful new friends along the way!"

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Creating and using an your Artist's Journal rekindles the spark.

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Not in a scary way, but you'll feel things shifting. You'll create habits to make you draw more often and think more reflectively, and use action prompts to help make those thoughts become reality.  

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I run all sorts of journal and sketchbooking courses throughout the year. The currently available version is The Artist's Almanac at The Still Room, Keswick Hall (book with Eventbrite here): 

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In the first session you'll receive your own deck of Artist Journalling Prompt Cards and meet the small group of six. I'll talk through the ways the cards will help initiate thoughts and actions as you move through the course, and share how this process benefitted me in finding my own path as an artist and teacher.

In sessions two to five you'll be guided to use the deck to fill your unique Artist Journal with inspiration, ideas and ephemera. A well as this, as a qualified Art Life Coach, inspirational teacher and fellow artist, I'll lead you through discussions and exercises based around the Wallas model of creativity to explore your particular themes and motifs, and help you discover what makes you tick as an artist. In the sixth and final session I'll support you to reflect on your journal so far and write your own Possibilities Plan as a foundation for the next steps in your artistic journey. ​​

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On completion of the six-week course, you'll be given access to my monthly Art Journal Club, a face to face meeting in Norwich, open to all my Artist Journal alumni. Your first session will be free! Art Journal Club gives artists the opportunity to build on the shared connection, reflection and gentle accountability you'll have found so inspiring during the six week course. 

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