Clarity through Basics

I've had in front of me this afternoon a notebook and a list of questions for which I'm preparing answers ready for our next Inner Art promo video. Sometimes it's the most basic questions that create the most clarity. For example "‘WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITHIN INNER ART? i.e HELLO, MY NAME IS KATIE BETH AND I’M...”

Just like a boxer never tires of his jab, and a pianist religiously practices their scales, going 'back to basics' is a honing and clarifying process. As Inner Art Blog is primarily about parallels between art & life, let's also link this simplification of thought to fundamental art studies eg using tone, observational drawing studies, paint control. We practice these skills not so that we remain soley in their domain, but because they open up new creative avenues and invite us to new artistic places. 

So this afternoon I've prepped my notes, and here they are to share with you. I hope these help continuing transparency at Inner Art Studio and in turn make sure Inner Art remains accessible and inviting to all.

• ‘WHO ARE YOU’ AND WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITHIN INNER ART? My name is Katie beth and I'm the founder of Inner Art, and I began this part of my journey in 2017.
• COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN THE ARTS? HOW HAVE YOU BENEFITED FROM BEING A CREATIVE? I always drew! Since age 3 I drew everything I saw from real to imaginary things. Against the wishes of my parents I chose art over academia at every turn, and fully immersed myself in art at school, college and university. Art has been a source of consistency and salvation to me. When I reflect on experiences, decisions and adventures I've travelled, I see how they work in parallel to a way of thinking cultivated by creativity. Being an artist is not just about what you create on paper, it's how you operate everyday.
• WHAT IS INNER ART, WHERE CAN IT BE FOUND, WHO IS INNER ART FOR? Inner Art is a welcoming art studio in Reigate offering a range of art classes for students of all ages to access art learning in a fun, flexible and fulfilling way. It's for those who are keen to take little steps along an exciting art journey as well as those who already feel "good at art".
• WHAT CLASSES AND EVENTS DOES INNER ART OFFER? We offer one-to-ones, clubs, holiday workshops and Art parties for children, and one-to-one art tuition and a group classes for adults.
• COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE AIMS AND ETHOS OF INNER ART? Is it cheeky just to put in a link here?! www.innerart.co.uk/about/aims. Click to find out more about expressing yourself, gaining tools, having choice and enjoying autonomy with Inner Art.
• COULD YOU INTRODUCE ME TO THE TEAM BEHIND INNER ART? Inner Art Tutors are a wonderful team of practicing artists and experienced teachers. They implement the Inner Art vision smoothly and happily day to day, every time they make a lesson special, go the extra mile in preparation, or welcome a visitor to the studio. Inner Art can't exist without the team's common goals, united passion and shared vision, and on a personal level I'm forever grateful for them. We're friends who take time to understand and reliably support each other.
• WHAT DOES INNER ART OFFER THAT OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS PERHAPS DON’T? I'd say the strength of our Inner Art Team and clarity of vision are our biggest assets. And in a practical way for Art students, we know our stuff! As practicing artists we're all grounded in an appreciation of traditional art, and through our own life experience and personal art practice we make art learning relevant and accessible to our communtiy today.
• IN WHAT WAYS CAN THE ARTS BENEFIT PEOPLE? My top four are:

          1) Find companionship in shared art learning,

          2) Develop self awareness leading to freedom,

          3) Gain a sense of achievement leading to increased sense of well being and purpose,

          4) Enjoy an immersive experience and peace.

• DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SOMEONE WHO FEARS IT MIGHT BE ‘TOO LATE’ TO START A NEW SKILL? It's never "too late", "too embarrassing", or "too hard" because that would imply there's a final result to be achieved, or not achieved! Instead we're here to support each individual learner and encourage each to enjoy their own art journey experience no matter where it starts, and to embrace where it leads.
• FINISH WITH A STRONG CALL TO ACTION. Just let us know how we can help! A first step could be to reach out with a query, make a booking, or drop by the studio. There's never any obligation but the door here is always open to offer guidance and inpiration for your next art steps. 

So there it is, a renewed clarity for me by going back to basics through a summary of Inner Art. Now just to get all this to come across fluently on film... maybe we'll need another blog about that! 

Let's finish with a question for you: "WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR ROLE? i.e HELLO, MY NAME IS ......AND I’M......”