People and Places

I can’t quite recall how I first met our next featured artist Corrina Rothwell. It was likely to have been at a local art market when she was in her illustrator phase. I do remember buying some of her greetings cards with quirky images of people in humourous scenarios. These keen observations of modern life had more depth to them than it first seemed - as indeed people often do.

Since then Corrina’s art practice has changed significantly. The people are still there, but their sense of place has been widened. Figures can be viewed as part of a desolate landscape, surrounded by warm colours and immersed in nature, but it’s up to the viewer to interpret the scenario. We are encouraged to respond more intuitively with the humans in these paintings - with their emotions too

Having followed Corrina’s artistic journey for well over a decade, it was only a matter of time before I got round to asking for her perspective on how creativity supports her wellbeing. I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Playing With Paint’ workshop I did with her a couple of years ago. It was a huge boost to my self-esteem and I have no doubt some of the principles of that session stuck with me.

Playing with paint

“My parents were both artists and I grew up in a pretty creative environment. Rumour has it that the first book I ever looked at was an art book - a book of Jean Arp sculptures which was placed on my pram cover (picture one of those big prams from the 1960s) for me to leaf through - although ‘leaf’ is probably too sophisticated a concept for sticky baby fingers! Also as a baby, I was let loose with a big brush and a pot of red paint on a length of lining paper rolled out on the floor.

“So, as a child my creativity was certainly embraced, but when it came to further education I wasn’t encouraged to pursue art. Instead I went to university to do a degree in European Studies. However, the pull of creativity wouldn’t leave me alone and I hated the course I was doing, so I dropped out after a year and since then I’ve forged my own creative path.”

Growth through change

“Nowadays I paint. I use acrylics, but am increasingly interested in oil paint - I just need to cultivate the patience needed for the drying time! I’ve always enjoyed painting on and off, but it’s only recently that I’ve fully committed myself to it.

“Over the years I’ve worked with fabric painting, papier mâché, 3D textiles, machine embroidery, digital illustration… but I think there’s always been a part of me that wanted to be a painter. The fact that my dad was a painter, and there were some negative experiences around that for me, had a lot to do with me not ‘going there’.”

Favourite painting

“It’s very difficult to choose a favourite painting, so I went with my gut reaction and didn’t overthink it. This painting’s called Freedom Seeker. The title came from something my marketing mentor said and just fit perfectly with what I was thinking about at the time. It’s a bit of an outlier, this one, which makes the fact that I chose it as a favourite interesting to me. I like its simplicity, how it’s made up essentially of 3 components.

“The painting is about yearning for psychological and physical freedom, and I feel like the figure successfully conveys a sense of heaviness and confinement. I like how the colours have worked out in this one too - they’re quite subtle for me!”

Expressing complex emotions

“It’s quite tricky to separate out how art supports my wellbeing because it’s such an intrinsic part of who I am - and sometimes it causes me a lot of grief! However, I have used art as an outlet in the past for expressing and processing difficult experiences that I’ve felt unable to articulate, and it’s a comfort knowing that it’s something that’s always accessible to me. I find the idea of going home to spend time in my studio with my paints, the lovely familiarity of that, very soothing. Sometimes just sitting down and putting some colour on a piece of paper, I feel myself letting out a sigh of relief.”

Pushing on through

“Two things you’ll need in abundance are persistence and patience! Nothing happens quickly (for most people anyway). You just have to keep pushing yourself, keep showing up, And, I think, most importantly stay true to your values.”

The art of self-care

“Reading’s my go to self-care strategy - it always has been. Escaping into a novel is the greatest comfort for me. I can recognise when I’m feeling overwhelmed and oversaturated and need a book day. I’ll give the whole day over to reading on the sofa, drinking cups of tea. It’s immensely restorative. My other things are nature and exercise, ideally combined. I live really near the Forest Recreation Ground and I love to run there. It really helps with low mood and anxiety. Getting out of your head and into your body is invaluable.”

Thank you so much Corrina. We at the Thortify Art Hub love that the curtains you were commissioned to make for The Place (many moons ago) are still hung at the big windows in the main room upstairs. We have a whole wall of your vibrant art in a space where we can pop up and view them any time we are there.

Perhaps we could have more someday…*wink*

You will find more or Corrina’s evocative artwork on her website Corrina Rothwell - Painter and she is always delighted to get a new follower on Facebook or Instagram. She writes inspiring blog posts too, if you have a few spare minutes to read.

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Peace and paintbrushes

Debra Thortify