A Pilgrimage to Imperfection

A day out at Kettle's Yard

I had an accidental day out in Cambridge a couple of weeks ago. I said ‘yes’ to a last minute invitation and found myself back at Kettle’s Yard, introducing this place that I return to again and again to someone who had never been.

Pebbles, gently placed by Jim Ede and still in situ at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge

It’s a place of pilgrimage for me, to this home of Jim and Helen Ede who opened their doors to those who wanted to share their creative values and their style of pared-back curated living, long before minimalist design trends and Pinterest boards. Their home was pre-digital, a midcentury space filled with friendship and creativity. It always inspires me. I feel at home there. I savour it and crave to re-create it as my nest.

Ben Nicholson at Kettle’s Yard

Jim Ede was an early collector of Alfred Wallis, the Cornish fisherman turned later-life naive painter. Alfred, upon the death of his wife, picked up the materials he had, old board, boat-paint and then he painted what he knew; boats and harbours. They are raw and authentic.

Alfred Wallis Rediscovered - footage from Kettle’s Yard

I love naive art, I see the world in shape, pattern, colour and line. I want my art to be playful and responsive. Many of you share these creative goals and intentions. When you do it, when you stop trying to get it ‘right’ and instead, trust the source and tap into being a conduit for whatever flows through you, you meet your raw self head on. It can be uncomfortable and I think only the bravest of souls can settle there, instead of seeking perfection, seeking for it to be ‘better’ and more palatable.

Being an artist is about maintaining the will to try, fail and try again whilst not growing the voice of self-criticism, whilst closing the door to self-judgement.

This month I have held that awareness. I have used my sketchbook to respond to my thoughts from earlier in the month about trusting the process, trusting my wild soul.

Helen Hallows - Fields

🌿 It doesn’t have to be perfect

🌿 It doesn’t have to be frame-able

🌿 It doesn’t have to be to everyone’s taste

🌿 You just have to show up at the page

Becoming a subscriber to The Wild Path gives you access to content that helps you quiet your inner critic and activate your wild soul to make art that is true to you. You will receive course discounts and coming later in the summer, an invitation to join my Wild Soul Book Group 🌿.

Thank you for being here

Helen

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