Art, courage, late beginnings & making space

For years, I thought I was painting swimming pools. It turns out I was painting something else entirely.

In this intimate artist talk, I share the story behind my creative practice — from growing up in regional Queensland and working in technology, to raising a family, building a studio and finally claiming my identity as an artist.

But beneath the paintings is another story: one about identity, self-doubt, relationships, motherhood, personal growth and learning how to become more fully yourself.

Over the last few years, I’ve done a lot of work to understand my own psychology, emotional patterns and creative process. I began to realise that many of the behaviours and beliefs I had developed throughout my life were coping mechanisms. They had helped me navigate the world, but some were also getting in the way of the relationships and life I wanted to create.

Learning more about how our brains work — and understanding that we are not fixed — became an important part of that process. Surprisingly, my art practice became another way of understanding myself.

Long before I consciously understood what was happening, my subconscious seemed to be speaking through the paintings. Ideas and images would emerge that I only understood much later. The work began revealing things to me that I couldn’t yet put into words.

Through my Pool Series, I create worlds where women and girls are safe, visible, valued and free to take up space. The swimming pool has become a symbol of care, structure, freedom and belonging — but also a place where questions about agency, identity and the female experience can play out.

I’ll talk openly about the unconventional path that brought me here, the courage it took to begin late, and the people and experiences that have challenged me to grow. At its heart, this is a story about reinvention — and the possibility that it is never too late to change direction, make space for yourself and become more fully who you are.

Available for events

I’m available to deliver this talk for artist talks and gallery programs, women’s events, creative industry events, conferences, podcasts and interviews, schools, community groups, organisations and team development days.

The talk can be tailored to suit your audience, with a focus on creativity, resilience, personal growth, women taking up space, building a meaningful creative practice, or the story behind my work.

Enquiries:
meli@figjamit.com.au

I’d love to hear what you’re planning.