Deciding to study for this MA was born from a moment of panic and uncertainty – the threat of redundancy.  In times of uncertainty, we can become bitter and lose confidence in ourselves. This is what had happened to me.  I took a leap into the unknown and took voluntary redundancy from a job I had loved.  I got accepted on to the MA in Textiles at Manchester School of Art, and also received the Bernard and Frieda Clowes Scholarship to help fund my studies. It felt like the universe had been trying to tell me something (like the kiln / knitting / photography gods) and I had listened.

I have recently started attending a weekly Pilates class and have found it helps me connect within myself, listen and notice better.  The relaxed breathing at the end is my favourite part and how we thank ourselves for showing up and giving time to our Pilates practice. 

Studying for this MA is a way of thanking myself for taking that leap into the unknown, and for turning up and spending time on my creative practice.  Studying for this MA has also has given me the permission to not feel guilty about spending time on my creative practice and taking me away from my family and the potential to earn more money.

I have given myself permission in other ways too. Permission to make and have flow. Permission to trust my instincts. Permission to keep it simple.  Permission to stop panicking about getting a ‘proper job’ and accept my creative practice as part of my life. Sally Mann has a beautiful way of explaining this,