VICDOC Autumn 2023 - Magazine - Page 78
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I’VE ALWAYS DRAWN AND PAINTED AND
EXPERIMENTED CREATIVELY, BUT MY ART
MAKING HAS BECOME MUCH MORE
PURPOSEFUL IN THE PAST SIX YEARS.
This happened after my wife, Steph,
gave me the greatest gift to my overall
development as a human — regular private
tutoring with Sue Jarvis, an incredible
artist. I was feeling stunted by words and
my inability to articulate my experience
of existence in all its forms. Words were
a great creative outlet, but they just
didn’t convey the textures, colours,
temperatures and emotions with the
accuracy I was seeking. Steph’s gift
came in response to this frustration.
And then came painting.
MY STUDIO IS IN A SHIPPING CONTAINER
OUT THE BACK OF OUR HOUSE; IT’S WHERE
I COME TO ESCAPE AND RECHARGE.
It’s good having a dedicated space. I can
spread out; I don’t have to clear things
away when I’m done. I like to come in here
with everything I need and shut the door
and shut myself away. It’s a multisensory
experience. There’s the smell of the
paints. The visual feast of the colours and
materials and artwork taking shape. The
touch of the brush. I play music while I
work, so there’s the sound. I usually paint
in the evening, and I’ll have a glass of
whiskey. There’s the taste. I often lose
track of time in here, so I can’t paint
before a shift, or I’ll be late!
MEDICINE CAN BE A REAL VACUUM FOR
YOUR IDENTITY.
The need to be always operating at
100% in a hugely pressured environment
provides fertiliser for this to happen
unconsciously. As a result, we are
sub-standard versions of ourselves and
can quickly become resentful of the
careers we’ve so passionately pursued.
People can’t keep being great without
a way of releasing or recharging.
MY ART PRACTICE IS A WONDERFUL COMPLIMENT
TO MY WORK AS AN EMERGENCY DOCTOR.
At work, it’s go go go. There’s no room
for experimentation, failure or “Hmm…
what happens if I do… THIS!” That kind
of thing can have dire consequences for
patients. But in my studio, I have that
inconsequential freedom. It’s taken me a
while to appreciate it — to realise it’s okay
to go in there without a plan and just see
what happens.
AMA VI C TO RIA