Tue, 30/07/2024 - 09:18
New Affiliate Member Molly Christodoulou, is a painter who transforms spaces with immersive escape through art. We asked her a few questions about her practice.
Tell us about the story behind your practice and what inspired you to start your creative journey.
When I was a child I was always creating and I had a particular love of paint, but I stopped when my life became complicated by traumatic events. As part of my healing journey, I reconnected with my artistic side and painting has been a huge part of returning to my authentic, happy self.
I’m a part-time psychotherapist and this is symbiotic with my art practice. The catharsis and processing that comes from my painting allows me to be a better therapist. My therapy clients and their journeys inspire my art directly as well as fueling my desire to spread compassion. I’ve experienced the power of art to heal, both as the artist and as a viewer and this is what keeps me in the studio.
What University did you graduate from? What course did you study?
I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Warwick in Biomedical Chemistry, my PGCE at Birmingham City University, then my MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy at Derby University.
How will being part of our community at Banks Mill help your practice
I’m hoping to learn how to get my artwork in front of more people and how to grow my practice into a fully-fledged creative business. The ten top marketing tips for creatives at my first members meeting has already got me thinking. Creating art can be a lonely endeavor so I’m also looking forward to meeting more fellow creatives and building up a network of support.
What other work experience/support/ training have you gained relevant to what you’re doing now?
I’ve been part of an online artist support community which has helped with critique and with going from occasionally painting to having an obsessive interest in how to create authentically.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently working on a collection of paintings exploring contrasting internal experiences. Like how we can really want to be sociable but also hide away. These different parts of ourselves are represented by different textures and colours in the work and I’m exploring how to harmonise the transitions between these contrasts to achieve an overall sense of tranquility.
At 2x1m, I’m also about to embark on my biggest ever piece, with the hope that by going larger my work can become even more immersive. I’ve always loved the idea of creating big work and I’m excited to try it out.
Tell us a bit about your work/techniques and how long a piece takes to complete.
The first layers of my paintings are always purely about releasing my emotions and are often messy. I then add more colour and pattern and the work grows gradually. They all have several layers, with earlier ones peeping through. This is mirroring life, our memories having an impact on our present. Some of them resolve after several hours of playing in paint whereas others take much longer. Sometimes I represent certain intense moments of connection I experience in the natural world, such as when forest bathing, others are a complete suprise and it becomes clear what they’re about as part of the process. My paintings all include some form of abstraction so the viewer can find their own meaning.
What are your plans for your practice for the next 12 months?
Over the next twelve months I plan on painting a lot! I also want to redesign my website to better reflect the healing nature of my work and improve my marketing. I intend to have prints made so I can expand the products I’m able to offer at different price points. Getting my work in front of people at more events is also another focus to start to make connections with people face to face.
You can see more of Molly's work on her website or social media channels
https://mollychristodoulou.com
instagram: @compassionatecanvas
