Art, Study, Balance

Navigating My Creative and Academic Worlds

Between the vibrant art scenes of Melbourne and the quiet of my studio in Wagga, my start to 2024 has been a whirlwind of art and study. This post will share my journey through unit four of my Master's at MIECAT, how it's shaking up my creative process, my efforts to balance study with art, and what's coming next for me. If you're trying to juggle your passions or are curious about mixing art with study, stick around. I'm also keen to hear your stories, so drop a comment with your experiences or advice.

Extending Threads, cotton thread and collage on paper.

I started the year in Melbourne, diving into unit four, the last of the “first-year” subjects of my Master's program at MIECAT. This subject introduced me to a fascinating concept called Arts-Based Research (ABR). ABR is a unique approach to inquiry that blends the creative with the analytical, using art itself as a way to explore, understand, and communicate complex ideas and emotions. Imagine leveraging painting, sculpture, or writing not just to create but as tools for investigation, much like how a scientist uses experiments to discover new insights.

This subject wasn't just about hitting the books; it opened up new ways for me to think about my art. When my teachers unpacked ABR, it was like a light bulb went off. You know how you might do something instinctively without really understanding why? That's been my relationship with creating art—a method to sift through my past, to untangle my thoughts and emotions. Suddenly, here was this concept that not only validated that instinct but also framed it as a legitimate research method.

At MIECAT, I've been learning how to channel complex emotions and understandings into my art, things I'd struggle to articulate in words alone. It's funny; I've always intuitively used my art this way, but now I have the terminology and framework to explain the 'how' and 'why' of my process. This insight hasn't revolutionised my art practice but rather provided me with a firmer ground to stand on, enriching my creative journey with a deeper understanding of my methods.

Life Drawing, acrylic ink and coloured pencil on paper.

I also stepped out of the academic bubble for a much-needed breather. The Grace Darling Hotel in Smith Street offers local brews in a welcoming environment. I attended a life drawing session upstairs hosted by Miss Muse Draw. In a private space upstairs, the self-led session allowed me to play with my coloured inks and pencils to capture the model’s vibrant flamenco-inspired outfit and the dramatic play of light and shadow.

Moments like these remind me of what I love about art-making. It's easy to get caught up in the demands of coursework. But fueling our creative fire and keeping us grounded is just as important. Plus, the resulting sketches will be great inspiration for my upcoming printmaking workshops at Unique State.

Back in Wagga, juggling study and art-making was a challenge. The pressure of completing my assignment on time meant my art-making took a backseat. This imbalance has been an ongoing issue since starting the Art Therapy course. The compressed coursework schedule—cramming what's typically spread over a year into just seven months—meant my brushes and inks often had to wait patiently on the sidelines.

Putting my art-making aside for weeks at a time has been a tough pill to swallow, but finally finishing my latest essay felt like a big win. Especially knowing that it marked the completion of my "first-year" subjects, and crossing that finish line came with the promise of a lighter load ahead. The path forward won't be as frantic as I start a more manageable pace of study. I can almost hear my studio calling me back!

My studio is a disaster zone!!

First on the agenda? Tackling the chaos that my studio has morphed into! It's not just a cluttered mess; it's a creative blockade looming over me for far too long. So, I'm rolling up my sleeves for a significant overhaul—not just shuffling things around but truly decluttering and reorganising. It's about making space not just physically but mentally too, for the creative energy to flow freely again.

Before the holiday season swept me into its whirlwind, I had started on a painting that meant a lot to me. It's inspired by a vivid experience of sensory overload, a theme that's both challenging and exhilarating to explore on canvas. The base is a riot of primary colours against a stark black, topped with collage elements and line work begging for further development. If you're curious about how it's shaping up, I've shared a sneak peek on my Instagram. 

And then, there's the monotype program at Unique State that I'm buzzing about. The first seven weeks promise a deep dive into various techniques—trace, reduction monotypes, and the additive method using watercolour and oils. This blend of structured learning and creative exploration lights a fire in me. The cherry on top? The last two weeks will be our chance to revisit and refine the techniques that resonated most. I've always had a soft spot for monoprinting, so I'm all geared up to develop my life-drawing sketches into more polished pieces during these workshops.

This blend of tidying up, painting, and engaging with new techniques at Unique State is more than just a to-do list for me. It's a fresh start, a way to strike that delicate balance between my studies and art—a balance I've been striving for. I'm eager to see how these plans unfold, shaping my creative output and my journey as an artist and a student.

I've shared my journey of balancing my art-making and academic studies and the challenge of decluttering my creative space to reignite my creative spark. How do you balance your creative passions with other responsibilities? Whether it's juggling a job, studies, family, or anything else, I'd love to hear how you keep your creative flame burning. And when it comes to your creative space—be it a studio, a corner of your room, or a digital workspace—how do you manage the physical and mental clutter that can so often stifle our creativity? Share your strategies, stories of triumph, or even those memorable missteps that led to learning. Your experiences, tips, and tricks could inspire me and help fellow readers find new ways to thrive creatively amidst the chaos of everyday life.

If you're in Melbourne and want to attend life drawing, check out Miss Muse Draw on Eventbrite.

If you’re in Wagga, don’t forget to check out the workshops, artworks and art supplies at Unique State Artspace.