orange – Julia Fry

You’re Not Good Enough to Do Art Said Mr Yates

You’re not good enough to do art at ‘O’ level.
Mr Yates, art teacher at Walton Girls’ High School, 1983

I’ve often wondered why I accepted Mr Yates’ statement as Truth when I was thirteen. I immediately stopped drawing and began a journal instead. I had a flash of insight yesterday whilst washing my hair (of all things): he’d stated I wasn’t good enough at identity level. “You’re not good enough.” It was like a magic spell. I believed him. I stopped.

The Beauty of the Setting Sun

This photo shows the light of the setting sun on trees at Stanmer Park. I just love the orangey purple of the light on the branches and the contrasting areas of shade. As I walked through the woods I felt utter joy at the gorgeous display. It was incredibly cold but even so I felt I had to stand and gaze in places because my heart felt so full of beauty. I can feel myself getting ready to paint.

Artists Responding With Love

Breakthrough, Acrylic, chalk pastel and ink on watercolour paper, 14.8 x 10.5 cm

This postcard is my response to the affect of Covid and Black Lives Matter on me. The collective trauma of Covid-19 sparked memories of personal childhood trauma, which I was able to hold and work through. When the Black Lives Matter movement swelled, I connected with it as a feminist. All of this broke my heart open, making space for a spiritual breakthrough.