I am 40 this year, a wife, mum of two and undergraduate student at the University of Edinburgh. I have started a holistic art based business to help redefine sobriety.
I hope to make sobriety and moderation from addiction and imbalances an option for anyone who desires it.
Where do you work?
I work from home. I have an office space that allows me to escape and create.
What does your space look like?
I have a large desk to spread my work across. I have fitted shelves which holds all my books and my altar. It is a really calm and happy space which reflects my intention and ambition. There is a rectangular window which looks out to hawthorn hedge and a large sycamore. Small birds encourage me with their playfulness, as they eat the fat balls I put out for them.
Apart from time, what do you need consistently throughout the week in order to be creative?
Sleep, absolutley number one. This has become increasingly difficult during lockdown but I find hemp tea before bed helps .
Meditation and tapping are key to me feeling calm. And it sounds silly but making time to be creative! Allowing the rest and space that is needed to let creativity happen.
Is there a creative routine that you swear by?
Yes, the Daily Ideal. I first read about this in Marlee Grace’s How to not always be working.
She wrote about what would your dream/ideal day look like? What would you do? How would you spend your time? Then from this you work out what you need to do each day in order to make those fun, pleasurable things happen.
So at the moment my Daily Ideal is:
Wake early, drink lemon water, tap/meditate, gratitude, play, get outside, no scrolling at bedtime.
Do all of these happen everyday? No!
Do I feel bad about it? No!
Do you have a mantra?
The days are long but the years are short. (Parenting)
What’s for you won’t go by you! (classic from my mum)
This too shall pass. (is helping greatly at the moment)
Imagine you have two hours to yourself. The house is a mess and there are fifty work emails to answer, errands to run etc. Are you able to focus and how?
Yes, usually. Make a list. Every time. Use a pen and paper, it really helps to release the tension and energy. Make your favourite drink, sit in your favourite chair and enjoy the process.
I fold my paper into quarters and put headings of:
HOUSE/GARDEN – EARTH
CAREER/UNI – FIRE
CHILDREN – WATER
MARRIAGE – AIR
ME ME ME – SPIRIT/SOURCE (this goes in the middle)
The headings can be tailored to suit. Use the elements if it resonates. Maybe use colours or something else that feels good to you.
Then start to write down the things that need done for each category.
I usually do this lifestyle/elemental list at the beginning of each month.
Recognise you are not going to get through it all in one day!
Sometimes tasks move onto the following month – that’s ok!
As for mess in the house I have started to do a few things:
1. If you have a partner ask for their help – maybe you want to divide tasks or split them down the middle. Asking for help isn’t weak, it’s not a reflection on you – it’s your superpower.
So for example, we take turns at doing the food shop – I only have to do it once a fornight. I made a master food list that we print off each time and score off what we don’t need – this takes the emotional labour out of groceries.
I do bedding fortnightly – he helps and I encourage the children to help with theirs.
The following week we share cleaning the bathrooms – so they are cleaned thoroughly fortnightly.
This may not suit everyone but works for me. It takes the pressure off.
Lastly, I changed the way I think about the housework. I do one room at a time and take pleasure in the process. Put on your favourite music and make it fun. Use essential oils you like for cleaning – I like pine and peppermint oh and lemon!
I have come to accept that the house is never going to be 100% clean and tidy.
I take pleasure in the room that is 🙂
Add any outstanding/big jobs to element list and have a biscuit!
So, enjoy your two hours to yourself!
Can you tell us one surprising aspect of your work that changed after you had children?
I wish I’d relaxed more when they were tiny and been content with how things were. That aside, I take so much inspiration from them. They encourage me to stop and play and learn through play. Some of my best work and inspiration come about when we are resting and being silly. I try to *be* as much as I *do*
Do your children participate in your art and what form does this take? Physical action / inspiration / the subject of your art?
Yes, they are a catalyst for a lot of it. Whilst its good to involve the children its also ok to need your own space.
Do you have a support structure to help you with your work and children?
Me and my husband do it between us. Sometimes our sisters can help outwith lockdown. Our eldest is 11 now so can do things on her own with friends, which helps. Our youngest likes afterschool club which he does once a week.
How do your children articulate what you do and what do they think of your work/art?
They are very proud of me, and proud of themselves when they create. My eldest understands me as an art therapist and my youngest thinks I’m the centre of the universe.
Is there a little voice inside your head that endeavours to knock your confidence as an artist and a mother? How do you silence it?
Yeah! I come back around to tapping, meditation and the daily ideal again.
Honestly, when the voice starts yapping it’s time to R.E.S.T
Time to stop working and relfect on your accomplishments.
Journalling can help with that voice. Love it, give it a hug, thank it for trying to protect you and REST.
Explain a situation, related to your work, where you’ve had to combat misogyny. Did your work change from this experience?
This question made me realise I downplay my looks and femininity to avoid misogyny and unwanted attention. Perhaps I need to rethink this approach.
When we bought our new house the bank manager didn’t shake my hand (sob). I recognised that girls are not taught to shake hands or expect to have their hand shaken. I changed that day.
Name one self-imposed distraction that leads to procrastination and tell us how you handle it.
Scrolling social media. I put the phone in another room.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Only say sorry if you mean it.
Stop waiting for permission.
Smiling and saying thank you for a compliment, rather than trying to explain it away.
At what stage did you begin to take your work seriously?
In 2016 when I decided that sobriety was the best option for me. My mum had died in 2012, my mum in law died in 2016 and I had two littles to love.
First I had to start loving myself.
How could your community help you grow as an artist?
Through dialogue and feedback. Through meeting up without children to talk about adult things without alcohol or substances being involved.
Links: www.angelawallace.co.uk All links to my socials are on here.
I am launching The Half Hour Spell. 3 x weekly half hour to connect with others and help them envision their dream life.
This can be accessed here: https://www.angelawallace.co.uk/the-half-hour-spell-zoom-free-sign-up-meditation-tapping-eft-future-self
Two poems/spells on the theme of female expectation.
This one was inspired by and for my daughter
A bedtime story for our daughters
We’re told: plump your face
thin your waist
Play nice;
Be good.
Quiet now!
They shout us down
Because we agitate them.
Stay vocal and feel no shame.
Brave the cold,
Never be cowed.
This one was inspired by the death of Honor Blackman (actor and model)
Pin Money (this poem is a spell)
We won’t work for pins
A rhetoric intended to keep us small
grateful,
of crumbs from the table.
No more. Rise up.
We earn ingots.
We hold valuable cargo.
Drag a chair
squealing
across the floor
and take your place at the table.
We’re not inadequate
yet
no one sends an invite.
We don’t work for pins.
We are rough diamonds,
under our own sail.
Command the space
Be sh*t scared
but fearless
We are substantial,
Sustainable.
Reach for the pinpoint of light
It’s not so far off.
