Martha Palmer-Fosberry

Forging a path as an artist has not been a smooth one. Being a mother of two young girls and a business owner, prioritising my personal creative practice has long been at the bottom of the list. As my children grow I have come to realise the vital role my own personal creative connection plays in being a positive and fulfilled parent to my children. The powerful act of living an authentic life connected to what brings you joy is no small message to the women of tomorrow, in this case, my daughters. Being an artist to me is a connection to a deeper sense of inner knowing and finding peace and freedom in the telling of stories and creation of objects that are meaningful and loved by others. Taking part in H-Art this year is the first small step towards placing a sense of value in my work, ensuring that I celebrate my gifts and honor them by prioritising my creative practice, without fear of failure or judgment. My hope is that the ripple effect of this will in some way enable others to do the same; paying forward the energy of self-value, bringing with it a promise of hope for other artists struggling to take the time to value their gifts.