Art as Therapy

My degree is in Fine Art. I've always enjoyed painting, drawing and sewing; it is how I express myself and relax. But since having the kids my time to explore creative outlets have been drastically reduced to the point where I feel it is impossible to be myself. The main issue is I have no space to create anything, no time to create anything and when I do actually start something it takes me longer to set up and then pack away again than actually doing it. In short I need a kid free studio. The reality is that isn't going to happen anytime soon as we have no space left now the girls have a room each.

Little E's birth was incredibly traumatic and it has left me with pelvic pain which had recently been diagnosed as Chronic Pain. I'm on medication now but there isn't anyway to 'fix' this problem. One of the things I have found helping me deal with the pain, or at least the anxiety associated with the pain, is colouring in.

My creation from Tropical Wonderland by Millie Marotta, Batsford Ltd

These colouring in books are giving me a quick, easy way to express a little bit of creativity, rest my mind and let my hand do all the work. I can grab it out of the cupboard and start drawing within minutes. When Little I wakes up from a nap I can put everything away in about 30seconds. Little E can colour her own colouring book next to me so it can be a hobby I share with her (and her little sister when she gets a bit bigger).

My work in progress from The Official A Game of Thrones Colouring book by George R.R. Martin, Harper Voyager

It is slow progress as I only get the odd half an hour here or there, but it is something I know I can turn to when I need to clam down, stop worrying or just focus on something other than the pain for a while. I hope that as the girls get older I can focus on creating original work and one day that studio may become more than a daydream. But for now I can keep myself sane with colouring in.