Mary Roberts

TELL US ABOUT YOU AND YOUR ART

I have always drawn/painted/ sculptured but i was not allowed to go to college so I finally went to college then uni as a mature student. I am now trying to make more of my art and sell works.

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE BEFORE YOU FOUND THE UNITED ARTSPACE HUB?

For starters I didn’t really call myself an artist. Even though I graduated with an Art Degree in 2014 I wasn’t devoting enough (guilt free) time to my art.

With the support from Michelle and other Hub members I feel like I have a community to support and advise me.

I now know there is a framework to follow and even though I’m not always tuned in to live feeds etc, it’s always at the back of my mind steering me in the right direction. Goal setting at the moment is vital for me and is my focus. Without it I am drifting.

WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND MOST USEFUL DURING YOUR TIME IN THE HUB?

Having the 7 key ingredients there to go to when I need is like a safety net. When in doubt I listen to a video. And every time Michelle goes over the ingredients I re listen and will always come away with some nugget of information. Having an art community from all over the world and being part of it feels very comforting. Being an artist can be a lonely business so it’s nice to hop on and chat with others.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST LESSON?

Sometimes the answers are right in front of us but we can’t see them. Michelle made me realise I had the perfect subject to work with right on my doorstep. I didn’t know I had a “who” out there but now I do and am working more on my “where”. It has given me the confidence to go after it and progress with it.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW COMPARED TO WHEN YOU JOINED?

I feel like I have a support system I place. And I feel confident saying I am an artist!

WHAT HAS THIS MADE POSSIBLE FOR YOU?

Last year was a difficult one for me as my mother was very sick. Time for making art was limited but I still kept in touch with the Hub and received such support there. Nobody pressured me, instead everyone had a realistic approach with my lack of production. For that I was very grateful, without it I may have just put my art aside. Instead I kept dipping my toe in and the year turned out to be pretty good!

DID YOU HAVE ANY HESITATIONS ABOUT JOINING THE HUB?

Yes I did. Time is always the big issue in our lives, or the lack of! But the time given to the Hub actually creates more time for me to make art! I often listen to the replays (sometimes more than once) while I’m working and I think they seep into my subconscious

IF SO, HOW HAS THAT PERCEPTION CHANGED NOW YOUR ARE A MEMBER?

I find the Hub to be a safe place to offload and seek advice. Even though I haven’t met any of the other “hubsters” I feel like I know them. To be among like minded people is fantastic.

DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR ANYONE THINKING OF JOINING US?

What I love about being part of the Hub is the realism of it. With Michelle what you see and hear is so real. Sound and practical advise, with a lot of fun thrown in

IF YOU COULD SEND ADVICE BACK TO YOURSELF 3 YEARS AGO, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOURSELF?

Not to doubt myself, have faith in my work. It’s a big world out there, Art is so subjective and someone somewhere will like my work! Enjoy it, don’t feel guilty about taking time out to create and call it “work”!!!!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF MARY’S WORK PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK:
WEBSITE:HTTPS://MARYROBERTSARTIST.IE/
INSTAGRAM: @MARYROBERTSART