UNLOCKING CREATIVITY: MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE NATIONAL OPEN ART RESIDENCY

Becky Rose
Nov 13, 2016
3 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Receiving confirmation of my selection as an Artist In Residence at the 20th National Open Art Exhibition came at a time when I was experiencing a creative block. I was avoiding every aspect of my practice and struggling with self-confidence in painting. However, the start date of the Residency had arrived, and there was no avoiding it. Gradually, I began to rediscover my creative process by concentrating on preparatory work, and soon ideas started flowing, with sketchbooks filling up and new painting surfaces being prepared. Despite this growing body of work, my lack of painting confidence persisted. It became clear that I would have to overcome this psychological barrier in a very public way, in front of my peers who were celebrating the success of their work in reaching the final of the National Open Art 2016.

The first day of my Residency had arrived; there was no more preparation to be done, no retreating to my studio at the bottom of the garden, shutting the world out. I was now open for anyone and everyone to observe and interact with. I found myself entering survival mode, holding onto what I found solace in—my work. My confidence was restored, and I spent the entire day painting without leaving my new studio, the Round Red Rug, not even for lunch. I was amazed at what I had accomplished, transitioning from having no confidence in my ability to paint to spending an entire day with strangers watching my every move. That evening, I felt a profound sense of relief and pride, eagerly anticipating what the rest of the Residency would bring.

Every day during the Residency brought unforeseen events and fresh perspectives. I had the opportunity to physically display my creative processes and ideas to the public. My artwork was even selling before the paint dried. Being an AIR filled me with optimism for my future artistic endeavors. I gained a renewed appreciation for preparatory work that I had previously overlooked; my drawings and collage work deserve the same recognition as my paintings. I absorbed everything my viewers offered, subconsciously adjusting my paintings in response; at the time, I thought this wasn't entirely positive, but it challenged me to see things with fresh eyes, preventing my work from becoming stagnant. At the end of my Residency, I was surprised by my reluctance to leave. I expected to look forward to returning to the comfort of my private studio, but I was thriving on the challenges of being in a public arena and wanted to see if I could push myself further.

Being an Artist In Residence with the National Open Art is an experience that reciprocates the effort you invest. The privilege of participating in the National Open Art provided me with a deep understanding of the NOA team's dedication to supporting artists at every stage of their careers, offering them a platform to build confidence and continue creating. The passion and support from the NOA team are what I will cherish from this Residency, as it reassures me that if I ever face a creative block again, I can reflect on this experience and overcome it. Without the generous support and encouragement from the NOA team, I’m certain the experience would have been quite different.