Please Join me in welcoming
Clare Docherty!
Clare Docherty!
Please introduce yourself, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Clare Docherty from Glasgow in the West of Scotland and I am trying to find my way in the world of art. I have always loved sewing and creating “stuff” but have wanted to paint for years, so recently I have been taking some classes and exploring my creativity in new ways. I work as an environmental consultant but find the corporate world very stressful and would love to find a more soulful way of making a living. I am also mum to my amazing little 7 year old daughter, so life is pretty busy!
My name is Clare Docherty from Glasgow in the West of Scotland and I am trying to find my way in the world of art. I have always loved sewing and creating “stuff” but have wanted to paint for years, so recently I have been taking some classes and exploring my creativity in new ways. I work as an environmental consultant but find the corporate world very stressful and would love to find a more soulful way of making a living. I am also mum to my amazing little 7 year old daughter, so life is pretty busy!
What is something that you really love, and why?
Travel – there is something about going to another place and soaking up the atmosphere and culture. Some of my most loved places outside Scotland are Paris and Barcelona, as well as California (Love!!!). I love to feel the “buzz” of a place and appreciate its design, art and beauty. I haven’t been able to travel as much as I’d like in recent years, but there is plenty of “wander lust” in me!
Travel – there is something about going to another place and soaking up the atmosphere and culture. Some of my most loved places outside Scotland are Paris and Barcelona, as well as California (Love!!!). I love to feel the “buzz” of a place and appreciate its design, art and beauty. I haven’t been able to travel as much as I’d like in recent years, but there is plenty of “wander lust” in me!
Design– I love design – I mean the broad range of design from the thought process of developing a simple every day item to the patterns on a furnishing fabric to the form of an iconic building. I love design that is clever and multifunctional but is also a piece of art in itself. I am a huge fan of the Art Nouveau period, where design encompassed everything from the form of the building, the interior decoration, the furniture and right down to an individual piece of cutlery. At the moment I am really enjoying the return of “mid century” design, which fits in with my current home – a 1950’s terraced house!
Architecture – I am fascinated by beautiful structures and in Glasgow we are very lucky to have wonderful buildings by the master of Art Nouveau, Charles Rennie MacIntosh. I also adore the works of Antonio Gaudi and have spent many hours wandering through his amazing structures in Barcelona. And who couldn’t love the Eiffel Tower? I adore this structure and love that this and many other amazing buildings in Europe were built for one of the large exhibitions around the turn of last century and were meant to be temporary (imagine the cost of this today?)!
I love the ocean – I find it calming and healing, whether I am on the west coast of Scotland or the Mediterranean, the sea has a real draw to me.
I also love to listen to music and love the way it can be uplifting and inspiring. I have a broad music taste but especially love Latin American music, a lot of 60s sounds, current hip hop and R&B and the master himself, Stevie Wonder. I also love the internet! An endless source of information and opportunities – what did we ever do without it?
What would your dream project be?
To set up a beautiful, energising but relaxed space where people young and old can come and be together, be creative, share, learn, exhibit art and most of all have fun! I have no idea how I could achieve this but I’m dreaming………….. :)
To set up a beautiful, energising but relaxed space where people young and old can come and be together, be creative, share, learn, exhibit art and most of all have fun! I have no idea how I could achieve this but I’m dreaming………….. :)
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
I find this really hard to answer as I have had a lot of guidance and reassurance over the years for which I have been very grateful and to pick something in particular is very difficult. A very important lesson I learned (especially while training in Shiatsu massage) was to protect myself, energetically, not take on other people's s**t and likewise, not to project my own issues onto other people. We are only responsible for our own feelings, emotions and actions and it can only be a healthy thing to stop taking on responsibility for others’ issues. It's hard, but I have found it helpful to keep stress levels down!
I find this really hard to answer as I have had a lot of guidance and reassurance over the years for which I have been very grateful and to pick something in particular is very difficult. A very important lesson I learned (especially while training in Shiatsu massage) was to protect myself, energetically, not take on other people's s**t and likewise, not to project my own issues onto other people. We are only responsible for our own feelings, emotions and actions and it can only be a healthy thing to stop taking on responsibility for others’ issues. It's hard, but I have found it helpful to keep stress levels down!
Where does your inspiration come from?
Where do I start? Nature is always inspiring to me. There is so much beauty surrounding us in the shapes, textures and colours of every day things. I was really inspired by the amazing colours in the autumn leaves last year and the shapes made by tree branches in my garden. My daughter, Roisin, is a constant source of inspiration! Children are so open to exploring their creativity and my little one has a definite flair (I actually “borrowed” an idea from her for the Fly Tribe’s ATC swap with “Love” as the theme – she pointed out that strawberries were shaped like hearts – hmmm, love that idea………..she did nab the best strawberry picture, though). Of course, other artists and designers inspire me (as you can see in my answers to what I love!) and more recently I have been totally inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts and of course the women in our Fly Tribe. I love seeing their work and hearing of their successes and to be part of such a positive, supportive community is constantly inspiring.
Where do I start? Nature is always inspiring to me. There is so much beauty surrounding us in the shapes, textures and colours of every day things. I was really inspired by the amazing colours in the autumn leaves last year and the shapes made by tree branches in my garden. My daughter, Roisin, is a constant source of inspiration! Children are so open to exploring their creativity and my little one has a definite flair (I actually “borrowed” an idea from her for the Fly Tribe’s ATC swap with “Love” as the theme – she pointed out that strawberries were shaped like hearts – hmmm, love that idea………..she did nab the best strawberry picture, though). Of course, other artists and designers inspire me (as you can see in my answers to what I love!) and more recently I have been totally inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts and of course the women in our Fly Tribe. I love seeing their work and hearing of their successes and to be part of such a positive, supportive community is constantly inspiring.
What do you think is the biggest thing holding you back?
Unfortunately there are several things!! Fear – of not knowing what I am doing, of lack of any formal art training, of not being good enough, fear of not making enough money to support my family, etc, etc. Also, I have a complete lack of discipline! I am not so good at starting things (procrastination is my middle name) and I am not so good at finishing things (I’m great in the middle!!) and I tend to jump around from one thing to another and never finish projects. If I could just make myself get all these ideas in my head out into the real world, it would be a great start!
Unfortunately there are several things!! Fear – of not knowing what I am doing, of lack of any formal art training, of not being good enough, fear of not making enough money to support my family, etc, etc. Also, I have a complete lack of discipline! I am not so good at starting things (procrastination is my middle name) and I am not so good at finishing things (I’m great in the middle!!) and I tend to jump around from one thing to another and never finish projects. If I could just make myself get all these ideas in my head out into the real world, it would be a great start!
What change do you think would most help your business grow?
Focus is what I need and lots of it!! Also, belief - that I can achieve the things that are floating around inside my head. I feel I am at the start of my creative journey and I am in a learning phase at the moment. I have set myself the challenge to start a blog this year and develop my skills in painting and mixed media. I am taking a number of classes (Hello Soul, Hello Business, Amelia Critchlow's Experimental Art Course, Tamara Laporte's Life Book and a few more!) - who knows where it will take me?
Focus is what I need and lots of it!! Also, belief - that I can achieve the things that are floating around inside my head. I feel I am at the start of my creative journey and I am in a learning phase at the moment. I have set myself the challenge to start a blog this year and develop my skills in painting and mixed media. I am taking a number of classes (Hello Soul, Hello Business, Amelia Critchlow's Experimental Art Course, Tamara Laporte's Life Book and a few more!) - who knows where it will take me?
What’s the biggest thing that you took with you from Flying Lessons?
It has to be my Fly Tribe – I had no idea that an online community was possible! I was slow to get into the world of social media so it has really opened my eyes to a world of opportunity and friendship that I couldn’t even have imagined! The only downside is that there are just not enough hours in the day to connect with the Tribe as much as I’d like – there is always so much going on and such great advice and camaraderie that it’s easy to just stay in that bubble, but you have to go and get on with the “real” world! At least I know that it will always be there when I return.
It has to be my Fly Tribe – I had no idea that an online community was possible! I was slow to get into the world of social media so it has really opened my eyes to a world of opportunity and friendship that I couldn’t even have imagined! The only downside is that there are just not enough hours in the day to connect with the Tribe as much as I’d like – there is always so much going on and such great advice and camaraderie that it’s easy to just stay in that bubble, but you have to go and get on with the “real” world! At least I know that it will always be there when I return.
Places to find me:
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarecan/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002947411989
email - clarecan@hotmail.co.uk
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarecan/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002947411989
email - clarecan@hotmail.co.uk
Awesome interview! We love you Clare!
ReplyDeleteAw Linda! ((blushing)) thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Violet for having me
Clare xx
Have a great weekend! From the hop
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http://scatteredmusings.net/
Love this interview! :) Newest follower from SUnday Social! I just checked out your shop and your creations are awesome! I am having a week of giveaways coming up soon and would love it if you would like to be a sponsor for one! Let me know if you are interested and I will give you more info! :)) Have a great evening! www.homemakerinheels.com
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