Pursuit 365 Day 339: Kathy Swift

Kathy Swift found her voice through art and harnesses the power of art to break generational cycles.

My journey is all about seeing the big picture in which I respond to life and create art. I see a world of relationships and vast possibilities that provide so many valuable lessons.

As a sensitive soul and student of life I know I am here to experience whatever is being presented to me, digging deep into the rich fabric of the lessons. I am a teacher, but not in a traditional way. My creative calling is to share with others what I learn along the path, and it is through my art that I reveal and inform others of my experiences.

“Call and Response” describes my collaborative processes both in life and as a creative, like when a musician calls out with a musical phrase and another musician calls back creating something new and fresh. So too, I make an initial call, whether it originates from a personal situation or a canvas asking for its next stroke of paint. I await the response, trusting the answer will come. When my senses are signalled, I know to look deep inside myself for what I seek. It is like a birthing, not knowing what will be born, or when, but knowing that labour has started, that the process is magically happening. I patiently wait with curiosity.

I may be working on a canvas in my studio, moving paint around, calling for the next mark, and as I explore the response, I discover myself integrating it right into the painting. I often end a studio session newly aware of the next move in my physical world, having already worked it through in my studio. My paintings are like pages in my journal, each carrying the energy of its own page and my imbedded life lessons.

Life is deep, rich and full of mystery and a multitude of experiences, both high and low have served as my creative guides.

My path is illuminated by the interplay of Watch, Respond, Learn and Share.

So, it is from the heart of an artist and teacher that I invite others to respond to my art, perchance to glimpse a knowing, kindred soul calling out from the strokes in my life’s work.