Local Artists

^“Art is something anyone and everyone can do. You don’t need expensive materials, after all drawing in the sand with a stick is art!    

So many people say, “Oh I can’t /draw or paint”, but they always surprise themselves when they give it a go.  It is only us holding ourselves back.  

Try it, enjoy it, and you will be amazed at what you can create.   

It’s all about having fun in the process!”

“For me ArtEquals just about everything I do.  

Being an artist is not a job, it’s something that informs every aspect of life, often to an obsessive degree.”  

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up” - Picasso  

 “Everyone is an artist. No point saying ‘I can’t draw’.  Watch a small child get excited and wildly create, it’s all in there somewhere.” 

“ArtEquals is a great way for students to take a break from screens and get involved in the creative process of producing artworks for public exhibition and sale. 

An insight that maybe the catalyst for developing future local artists, all while promoting the wellbeing benefits of practicing art.” 

“I have never actually thought of myself as an artist as I am a History teacher, but a recent diagnosis has helped me to understand why I have had so many intense creative obsessions! 

Photography is the latest in a long line, and it has been a source of much joy and contentment. This is why I am very happy to support ‘ArtEquals’. Being a teenager can be a challenging time, and this is exacerbated if you are neurodivergent.”  

"Creativity is an innate characteristic of ours as humans. We create through personal expression in so many ways whether in painting, sculpting, drawing, cooking, baking, gardening, organising, problem solving and creative skills can be learned and developed. We are all unique and valuable and likewise our creative expression will be unique and valuable. You can see from my work that I particularly enjoy the process of painting Jersey’s coast and landscape."

"I am very fortunate to have a creative career, but it was a decision I made when I was younger. I decided that I didn’t want to make much money when I was in my 20s as I sowed the seeds to develop a strong motivational ethos. Now, as an older person, I am fortunate to travel the world for exhibitions and adventures. I am still learning which is the most exciting part of being an artist."

 "ArtEquals can mean a few things to me. It can be a leveller in that it doesn’t matter what style your artwork is or whether what you draw or paint is an accurate representation of your subject. What matters is that you believe in your artwork and you have put care, attention and imagination into it. Therefore, art can represent you the artist, you the viewer or in other words art = you. "

"ArtEquals is a means of self-expression which can help individuals channel their emotions in a positive and creative way.

Putting your thoughts on a canvas has huge benefits to your wellbeing without you even realising!"

"I was so delighted to hear about the Art-Equals project at Victoria College. I have long believed that creativity can be helpful to good mental health.
As a child living in a time where we had a limited amount of tv time and not many screens to watch. I would spend a lot of time drawing painting and making things. I always felt happy to be immersed in creativity as it gave me feelings of contentment and excitement about achievements and possibilities.

I find it an important part of my busy life as it has a very calming effect to be fully immersed in a creative project. For me it is a bit like meditation and it is possible to reach a state of flow which can  be a good way of blocking out external stimuli.
Spending time drawing and painting from nature means looking and acutely observing small details which gives me an increased sense of awe and a connection to natural world and in turn a total sense of wellbeing.

I hope the boys at Victoria College can feel the benefits when getting involved in the creative process."

“I have a first-hand experience of how art can make us feel more engaged and resilient – in 2020 I lost my father unexpectedly and had to wait for 4 months until I could travel to see and support my grieving mother, who lives in the Czech Republic. During these challenging times, art and photography helped me enormously – I started photographing some of our key and essential workers, a project that culminated with an exhibition - taking portraits of other people who faced difficult and uncertain times helped me to cope with my own anxiety and stress. Sharing these feelings and emotions through art can be extremely helpful and liberating."