In the busyness in getting ready for the Wellington art show, I didnt get around to writing up my Featured Artist week at the Otago Art Society. I was working alongside Lorna Allan, good friend and fellow artist. As artists, we are polar opposites, Lorna’s work evokes a sense of peace, tranquility and calm, whereas mine exudes an imaginative sometimes frantic energy.

What binds us is our love of nature and our belief in the importance of art. We are both firm believers in freely sharing information about ideas, techniques and materials.

I think it’s very healthy to be around art and artists that are different from yourself, it opens you up to new ideas.

It was delightful watching Lorna engage with visitors, how she finds a point of connection and before long someone will shyly pull a phone out and share an artwork they have been working on. As the visitor invariably says something depreciating like “Oh… I’m not a real artist”, she gently encourages them and assures them that yes, they are.

Sometimes a visitor will say something like “I’m not artistic” and they are encouraged to reveal what they are good at.

Lorna Allan with her beautiful landscapes.

Art is just one of the tools we can use to share stories and experiences. I think I learn as much as any visitor I engage with, it’s fascinating discovering what things are important to people.

Every interaction leaves a mark, disinterest or a cruel word can crush someone, while a genuine interest and engagement can leave someone feeling heard and empowered.

I love how sometimes a brief chat with a complete stranger can leave me feeling light, and we could do with more "lightness” in this world.

I have always thought that one inportant role that artists play is to inspire. I have had this piece of writing on my studio wall for many years and find it as empowering now as when I first read it.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.