My self questions - how have I used art to make meaning in my world?

• making art helps me answer questions

I have made art all my life. At first making art was done as an activity inside and outside the home for fun. As I grew older art was something I did for relaxation and an escape from the daily activities. Eventually I found the need to make art for stronger personal reasons. My lack of skills in writing what I felt and thought drew me to making art that reflected my emotional state, ideas and opinions on issues. Now I make art for fun, for relaxation, for teaching and for personal needs. My art is made from various materials and technologies, with groups, or partnerships and solo work.

• sharing my skills makes a difference and creates a legacy

I believe that any gift I have been given is given with the knowing that my skills, my ideas in making art and my methods are to be shared with others so that my approach can be assessed, tried and discarded if, need be, for the development of others and keeps the language and the processes alive. This also feeds me with information and reactions for personal reflection.

• working with community on projects that demonstrate the value art in our lives

Extending this notion into the wider community connects me with likeminded people and interested participants. It also creates variety in our lives and provides 'food for the soul', and helps with health of the community.