My Journey into Focus at Arteles
I’ve always wanted to attend an artist residency, but because I studied design, I felt I wasn’t “allowed” to go on one. Silly, I know. Yet, in 2023, I placed it on my manifestation list. Then, on Christmas morning, after my meditation, I felt an undeniable pull to look up artist residencies. It was as if my Spirit Guides were guiding me to Arteles. It didn’t take long before I found the residency. Without hesitation, I applied—feeling confident, almost like I knew I would be accepted. By mid-January, the acceptance letter arrived, and it validated something I had been struggling with for years: I am an artist.
For so long, I’ve told people that I’m an artist, but it always felt like I had to prove it. Getting that acceptance letter felt like someone finally saw me for who I truly am. It was a profound moment of validation, and I cried so many times over this shift from feeling like a "pretend artist" to fully embracing my identity as an artist.
When I arrived at Arteles, the excitement was palpable. I was a bit nervous about missing my partner and worried I’d feel lonely, but after spending a week traveling together in Finland, I was ready to begin the residency. There was an immediate sense of community as everyone was friendly and open. On day two, our phones were collected. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss it—except for audiobooks! Not having the internet or my phone was an incredible relief. It pushed us all to be more social, and we no longer had the safety net of our outside worlds. I wrote letters to my friends and had weekly phone calls with my partner, but beyond that, I was fully present.
The absence of constant connectivity had a profound impact on my mental state. For the first time, I could truly listen to my body and noticed how my menstrual cycle affected my energy and creativity. I experienced a huge creative surge on day two of my cycle—ideas flowed so rapidly I could hardly keep up! Conversely, before my period, I needed more solitude and rest. It wasn’t just my cycle; the weather also affected my creative flow. And then there was the dreaded “internet day,” where for a few hours we were allowed to go online. Everyone hated it. The energy shifted, and people became moody. It was a stark reminder of how much happier and more connected we were without the distractions of the digital world.
Going offline gave me space and time to explore my art without pressure. In my usual routine, I often feel rushed, trying to squeeze studio time in between other responsibilities. At Arteles, I could slow down and immerse myself fully in the creative process. I rediscovered the importance of creative warm-ups—drawing with both hands at once, for example, was such a simple yet powerful way to engage my brain and shift how I saw my subject. I also had more time to experiment with new techniques and explore ideas I’d previously put on the back burner.
One of the biggest takeaways from this experience was realising how much social media had been draining my creativity. It was a time-suck, an unintentional distraction, and—if I’m being honest—a source of self-doubt. When I returned home and reconnected with my smartphone, I immediately felt overwhelmed. My productivity plummeted, and I experienced a wave of negative emotions. It became clear how vital it was for me to create boundaries around technology, especially in my studio. Now, I leave my phone and computer out of the studio, wear a watch to avoid checking my phone for the time, and am very intentional about what I allow into my creative space.
Being in nature at Arteles was another key element of this reconnection. The ever-changing light, the Finnish forests, the lakes—everything was an inspiration. I loved collaborating with other artists to forage for berries and plants to make inks, and seeing how each person used those inks in unique ways was such a joy. The daily meditation sessions were equally transformative. Meditation often brought massive bursts of creativity, and combined with the sauna, it became a deeply spiritual experience. After a sauna session, slipping into meditation felt like entering an entirely new realm of calm and focus.
It wasn’t just the environment that contributed to this transformation but the people. I realised how much I thrive in a shared creative space, surrounded by other artists. The conversations, the brainstorming, the collective energy—these were vital parts of my experience. Since returning home, I’ve signed up for art classes to keep that sense of community alive in my life.
Arteles taught me the beauty of simplicity—of having fewer things, less noise, and more intentionality. I’m still adjusting to life post-residency, but I’ve carried many lessons forward. I use my “dumb” phone in the studio, reserve my mornings for creativity, and have cut back on social media. It’s a work in progress, but I can already feel the difference.
Artistically, my time at Arteles has inspired a new direction. I’m working on a series of abstract landscapes and maps that reflect the beauty and essence of the Finnish landscape. I have three paintings completed and three more in my head. I plan to exhibit this work soon, and I can’t wait to share how deeply this experience has shaped my art.
Arteles was more than just a residency, it was a portal for me to step into my power and stand confidently as an artist—a reclamation of my identity as an artist, a journey back to focus, and a reminder of what truly matters in both life and art.
