Amy Cunliffe - Inspiring Creative Stories

Amy Cunliffe is a softly spoken, kind-hearted woman I had the pleasure of meeting through Flourish: The Art of Creative Living last year. Her days are full as a young mother and yet still, she felt the pull to nurture her creativity. So she set about making creative expression a priority in her life. Since I don’t have children, I love hearing how Amy and other parents manage to carve out time to take care of themselves and express their creativity as part of their days.

Amy took the time to answer my interview questions last week and I’m so honoured she did. Getting an insight into her creative life is inspiring! I think you’ll love it, too.

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your paintings? I would love to know what led you to pick up a paintbrush. 

I am a mother to a beautiful (nearly) 3-year-old son. I have been living in Sydney for about 20 years, after growing up in country New South Wales. I completed studies in Fine Arts (Photomedia), Transpersonal Art Therapy, Reiki and Meditation, however, most of my work has been in retail and hospitality.

When I had my little boy I started reflecting on what was really important to me and my wellbeing. I had a strong yearning to really connect to my creativity again and I came across Nicola’s beautiful Flourish course last year. It felt like the perfect container for me to start exploring that part of me again. I absolutely loved the course so much, that I decided to take part in the year-long program again this year! 

Most recently I have been exploring abstract and expressive paintings, beginning without too much premeditation. I have always loved colour and try to let my intuition guide me as to what colours I am drawn to. I have been enjoying working in different layers and playing with different mark-making, which is also part of the Flourish course material. 

What do you love most about being creative?  

For me, creativity is a really nurturing way to spend some time alone and come back to myself. It also helps me connect to and express my ‘inner essence’ as well as connecting to an experience of the divine, and a sense of wonder and magic that can easily be lost in our day to day, often busy and stressful lives. 

As someone who is generally a pretty cautious person in life, creativity gives me a space to take risks, experiment and be spontaneous. I enjoy seeing the unplanned and unexpected elements that can arise when creating, as well as never knowing what the finished piece will be. 

It doesn’t always happen, but I love the feeling of being really present and in the moment, in a state of flow, which can feel really energising or bring stillness. Either way, I feel more alive.

And what are some of the challenges?

One of my biggest challenges has been the self-doubt or inner critic mind chatter that can arise throughout a creative process. Throughout Flourish I have learnt some really wonderful tools to help gently support me through those times and bring myself back to the present moment.

I have also been challenged with my mind wanting to create something ‘good’ or ‘worthwhile’, which takes me away from being present and enjoying the process. Again, Flourish has helped me to learn how to embrace more playfulness, curiosity and focus on learning, rather than an attachment to the outcome. 

There can be moments of feeling stuck during a process, however, I can feel a real sense of accomplishment working through it and coming out the other side.

Another challenge is finding time to be creative whilst looking after a busy little person. I found that once I made the decision to make creativity a priority for myself, I found ways to weave periods of time into my life (with the help of my partner) to be creative. 

Can you please describe your creative space? Where do you like to create? 

I live in an apartment, so space is limited and I don’t have a separate studio. I use our dining space and table to set up my paints, palettes, brushes etc. I usually paint on an easel, or sometimes on the table itself for smaller paintings. 

I like to have some images of paintings from other artists I am inspired by on the wall. I love to have some natural elements on the table, like fresh or dried flowers and a ceramic bowl with crystals, stones, shells and driftwood inside. I have a selection of some art (and other inspiring) books on the shelves nearby.

How do you like to set up for a creative date? 

I firstly clear any clutter from the painting space and set up all the art materials I may use. I then sit quietly for a little while, usually doing a short guided meditation to come back into my body and more presence. I might also remind myself here of some supportive intentions (which I often have on the wall, if I need gentle reminders while I am painting too). I like to play some beautiful music.

If I’m working on Flourish projects, I’ll usually have the computer on the table so that I can work through one of Nicola’s recorded processes. I love that I can absorb the techniques and information in my own time, and can stop and start the videos as I work through the steps. I’ll often make a cup of tea to enjoy and then begin to paint!

How did you develop your skills? 

I had some wonderful Art teachers in school and did painting for my major work in year 12. I then studied Fine Arts at COFA in Sydney, majoring in Photography, with some painting and drawing electives. I always loved wandering around the painting studios there. 

I studied Transpersonal Art Therapy a few years later. It really helped me to learn to express myself from what was present within (often from the unconscious), which was usually accessed after a meditation or similar process, then exploring what meaning (and often healing) the image held for me. 

The last 2 years I have taken part in Flourish, where I have learnt so many skills in both Acrylic and Oil painting, amongst other mediums. It’s a beautiful balance of both learning practical techniques and cultivating gentle and supportive mindsets and ways to incorporate more creativity into your life. I love that I can learn and create in the comfort of my home, at my own pace, with so much support along the way from Nicola and other like-minded participants in Flourish!

What do you find inspiring? How do you nurture your inspiration? 

I am inspired by the beauty and healing capacity of nature. Trees, flowers, mountains, the ocean, clouds, sunsets, rainbows, auroras, the night sky, birds flying. Places of wilderness, untouched by humans. 

I find inspiration in the human experience, with all our emotions and intricacies. Art is a wonderful way to explore and express that. I can feel inspired and have insights during or after meditating.

Even though it can be a distraction, I find a lot of inspiration from Artists and Photographers on Instagram. I’m often taking screenshots of images I find beautiful or interesting, which I may then add to my journal or to the wall for inspiration.

Although I haven’t been travelling in a while, I always feel very inspired and take many photos when away. South America and India are two places I loved visiting and were full of so much beauty and colour.

I find people that are living creative lives, living out their passions (whether in their career or in their lives in other ways), often living unconventionally, to be very inspiring also. Also, people that are making the world a better place somehow.

I am inspired by my little boy and love witnessing him as he explores and learns through a fresh lens. He brings a lot of joy to my life.

When do you like to be creative? How much time do you spend in the studio during the week on average? 

I aim to paint most weekends, if there is a morning that I am able to have a few hours of time alone when my partner takes my little boy out for an adventure. However, this is not always possible. Sometimes I might pull out some watercolour paints for an hour or so at night time. I try to make the most of the time I do have!

It’s also been lovely to do creative things with my little boy, like paint and draw, dance, sing, make play dough, take photos or cook together.

What are you listening to at the moment? 

When I am painting I love to listen to music. I have a few different ‘painting playlists’ that I choose from depending on my mood or energy levels. I often like to listen to music that is quite atmospheric or cinematic, often instrumental, music that touches me. 

For guided meditations, I enjoy listening to the Insight Timer App. Even 10 or 20 minutes of meditation a day can make a big difference to my wellbeing! At the moment I particularly like Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield and Sarah Blondin (who has some really beautiful heart centred and poetic meditations). Sarah also has a great podcast called Live Awake that incorporates her meditations.

I really love your ‘The Art of Creative Living’ podcast Nicola, and the wisdom you share in conversation with others living creative and inspiring lives!

Thank you so much for sharing your creative life with us, Amy!

Flourish: The Art of Creative Living is open for early bird registration from 15-31 October 2019. You can join the adventure now in the Art of Creative Living: Free 7 Day Introductory Course. I would love to paint with you and support you in your creative life. xx