Lucy Blackmore
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Lucy loves to work with her hands in both ceramics and painting (rarely using brushes!). She graduated in 2003 and has been exhibiting on and off ever since. Lucy works on several pieces at the same time. Her art work tends to spend time in her living room amongst visiting friends and family so it can be constantly adjusted before it goes out into the real world! Through her work, Lucy enjoys exploring places she'd like to be. Her inspiration is drawn from the light around us but essentially she works from imagination. Lucy's work has a whimsical quality and it leans towards places of complete escapism.
“To find the exact point where what we love crosses the line of what we are good at and to do that thing for the rest of our lives.....find yours!"
Tell us about your path to setting up your business and what motivated you?
I had been working in my job for 8 years when I decided to go part time to allow myself time to take on some therapeutic work. It was then that a vacuum was created where I had more time and mental space to make and paint. I come from a supportive creative family so the pathway to showing work always seemed like a straightforward one having spent my childhood at the framers, at exhibitions or at the kitchen table with a lump of clay.
How do you work and what is a typical day like for you?
I have two art teaching jobs so working on creative pieces has to fit into small windows around this. This could be late at night or any other time I can fit it in. I need to be in the right headspace and find music very important in making that happen.
What are the best parts about your business?
I trust and instinctually follow my process. I am usually led to what I want to paint/create. I trained in Art Psychotherapy and feel my creative process is completely in line with how I feel. The best thing for me is for someone to connect to a piece of my work and want to share their home with it.
What has been your greatest struggle as a business owner so far?
Balance! Work, work, being in the sea or at the beach and creating.
What has been your biggest a-ha moment so far?
The only paintings that have really worked for me have been ones that were based on a true emotion. I have also learnt that the time I put aside for my art work doesn't have to be filled with contact with canvas or clay. It can actually be a sea swim, a cycle ride or gazing up at the sky and not feeling guilty for that. It is equally as valuable.
Do you have any advice for other small business owners?
Sir Ken Robinson sums up finding your element better than I ever could. He encourages us to find the exact point where what we love crosses the line of what we are good at and to do that thing for the rest of our lives.....find yours!
What currently inspires you?
I have recently moved to a place I can watch the sea and enjoy seeing the changing light around me. I am mainly inspired by clouds, trees, buildings and the shoreline.
Anything else you would like to share?
Go on as many courses as you can! I recently went to Scotland to learn how to make a wooden hollow surfboard. I came back with so much energy for creation...and a new beautiful board!
You can contact and find me here