I used to enjoy art at school, but was sad recently to think that after 30 years of working in the City most creativity has been knocked out of me... The solution? Why of course Area 54 and Nicola Toms' wonderful 5 day workshop. The workshop really helped me reawaken and reconnect with long dormant creativity. We spent the first morning observing sculptures in the City and sketching/photographing in order to seek inspiration - it's amazing what fascinating art surrounds us which we pass every day without us even observing it. Based on my observations and on my background in Kenya I was inspired to work on reliefs of lions. Nicola's probing questions helped develop ideas around this theme: we looked at lions going back to Assyrian sculpture in the British Museum, and the lions in Trafalgar Square, and many books of wildlife photography. To me the lion is a symbol of family, and a reminder of my own wider family. The thinking at the start of the workshop really helped unlock ideas as to why one wants to create a work of art: what it means personally. Why this subject, what does it mean personally? These are important questions to think about before even starting

 

With Nicola's expert guidance I was very pleased with the two reliefs and 3D bust that I created using Plaxtin. Nicola was an excellent guide on to how to get over challenges and keep persevering, how to really observe the subject (my own and others' wildlife photographs / anatomy pictures) and look more closely. One of the things that I learned (or hope that I learned) fairly quickly was not to be satisfied with a first attempt in relation to any particular part of the pieces, but to persist and keep going. I feel that this is a useful lesson for the workplace as well: not to be lazily complacent with a first effort. I also learned better to try to avoid distractions and focus. I'm hoping that these skills will also help with my work. It was great fun to get an insight into what life must be like as a professional artist: the seeking for inspiration, the challenge of getting over frustration when something doesn't work out, or is taking a long time to get right; the real sense of achievement when something goes well.  I feel that unlocking creativity can help with my work, as well as opening up the opportunity for more creative fun as a very enjoyable hobby. My respect for artists went up hugely: creative endeavour is far from an easy task!

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I thoroughly recommend the AREA54 London workshop to anyone who wants to unlock their creativity, learn more about themselves and a part of their mind that probably hibernates somewhat, get a bit of insight into the art world and what makes artists tick, and gain confidence to explore making their own art in their own time.  At the end of the day it's just great fun, and a wonderful way of spending 5 days.