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Tamzin's avatar

For around two years, I drew repeating patterns. I drew dots. I drew lines. I drew shapes that slotted into each other. Over and over. It gave me so much satisfaction in a really hard moment. It gave me something to do, when I didn't know what to do. Everyone told me that looking at these drawings gave them a moment of mental calm, that I could make something in their brains just click. I found that so interesting, as they born of a messy brain that wasn't experiencing that sense of calm at all.

It led to a very unexpected first exhibition, when I didn't even consider myself an artist. I'm so grateful to @Kathryn Vercillo for reminding me of this, as I totally gave up doing this kind of meditative drawing over a year ago. Why on earth? Time to revisit, for sure! https://www.instagram.com/p/B8t3s-wJZyS/ (Many more can still be found on my website)

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Mariah Friend's avatar

I love how ritual is almost bringing something sacred to our habits of repetition. For me, it elevates it almost. It invites a force greater than us to the table for collaboration.

Sometimes I think we have this idea of artists as just flowy and ethereal, channeling inspiration on a whim but as much as I resist it, I find so much freedom in structure and discipline. It acts as a container, not a cage, a distinction I’ve just been able to make recently.

Thanks to you both for sharing these insights!

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