Originally I was going to keep this blog as a dry record of events in which my art is being exhibited. But since my move to Berlin in late 2013, I have started to reflect on my arts practice and I realised it was time to get honest with myself. I am going to use this space more for discussion of my process, thoughts and ideas to get an insight into my work. This is helpful for me, and maybe for you, if you are interested in what I do. 

I have had a few chats with other artists, writers and comedians too, about the creative process. Since a child, I have considered that the artistic process must be consistent throughout the duration of ones life. I have nurtured the idea, that to be a true artist one must work at their practice physically, in every waking moment. Anyone who doesn't do this is a hobbyist, an amateur, or just not that serious. I am not entirely sure where this idea originated, but I have a sense it was from all of those Modern artists biographies I read as a child. Artists lived, loved and died for their art. All very romantic and heroic stuff. 

20 years into the future I am an artist, and by a random set of events, I am living in Berlin Germany, the hub of contemporary art. One would suppose that by now I would be showing in some galleries, mingling with other artists and basically using the energy of the city to bring my art to life. But, I in fact, I am not making that much art at all. And this is the point I want to explore: contrary to my childhood ideas about art, I actually think to be an artist you do not need to be making art ALL THE TIME. Sounds a bit like a lazy person's excuse, you are thinking. Well, it isn't. I have met and worked with a lot of artists from around the world  over the last 8 years in particular, and it is clear to me that every artist has a unique process. Some artists work from 9 - 5pm, focused on one form of art for many years. Others are working on several projects, often in different mediums, and the projects  often stop and start over a course of years. 

My process, I think, works in cycles. I naturally work in intense periods of time, usually from 4 - 6 weeks. And I could be working on anything from a series of poems, learning guitar, baking cakes, painting, sculpting with clay, or knitting. But for me, each of these processes and projects are an outlet for my creativity and are part of what I call my artistic process. The products of this process are eclectic and multi-mediumed, but I can see now they are part of a life long project to be a creative person and live a creative life. And in fact, even the spaces in the cycle -in which I am reading science fiction novels, drawing cartoons with German speech bubbles, or spending time daydreaming as I walk along the Spree birdwatching - these are PART of the WHOLE creative process for me. Without these life experiences, these observations outside of myself, I would always feel blocked. Creativity is about freedom and having the option to choose how to let that creativity flow. 

So, if in the next few months you hear that I have taken up singing, or comedy or amateur robotics, don't think I have lost my way as an artist. I know what I am doing. I AM serious. 

Ich warte auf mich is an exhibition of seven female artists from around the world, and explores the theme of identity. The exhibition was opened by Michael Stoeber who is an internationally recognised art critic and regular contributor to the art journal Kunstforum. My four 20 x 20cm canvas are a type of self-portrait,  based on photographs taken on my HTC phone, during moments of waiting between travel destinations. The paintings relate to the theme of the exhibition, for at the moment I am waiting to find myself, and my place after three years of living and working in Ningbo China. This series are currently displayed as part of Yasemin Yilmaz photographic installation Uncensored: 5 years, which explores the themes of time and place. The exhibition is open from the 15/09/2013 - 06/10/2013 in Osterwald- Gabersen Germany.

I have been selected as a runner up for the CQ28 Art Competition. More than one of my photographic works will be uploaded on the online gallery in the next issue. Check out this link next month to view the work.

20 artists from Morocco and 3 invited International Artists exhibited their work in this festival that ran parallel to International Women's Day. The aim of the festival was to promote the creative work of female artists, and support the development of women's art collectives in Morocco.