I’ve had the pleasure of talking to Jennie McCall about her work and the meanings behind what she makes a number of times through mentoring and courses. In this conversation Jennie talks about her creative journey, starting with a childhood trauma (mention of suicide) – if you want to avoid that, you can by skipping forward the first minute or two of the conversation. We go on to discuss reinvention, finding your place, understanding ourselves and putting emotions into our creative work. Jennie talks about finding the freedom to be herself and to work with authenticity and curiosity.
Please note: Jennie talks about childhood trauma in the first few minutes of the podcast, so do skip past this if you need to
I’m in my sixth decade now. It has been an up and down journey reinventing myself as an artist during times of self-doubt when challenges have seemed too hard, and rejection hard to take. But this is all part of the creative path; I know what I enjoy most in my practice now and I focus on that. My influences and inspiration come from the ever-magical world of myth and nature. For many years now I have developed my skills as a ceramics artist, working mostly with stoneware and porcelain. Most days I work in my studio, situated in the garden where I enjoy the seasonal changes and the company of birds.
I am presently working on a deeply reflective project. Mostly sketchbook based with the aim to produce a body of work worthy of a solo exhibition and a published book/journal/memoir style. I’m taking my time to research and to develop ideas that will bring a greater ‘meaning’ to my work. A curation of archived memories, hopes and dreams ……
Jennie McCall
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Find Your Focus
In this podcast, Jennie talks about how useful she has found my course Find Your Focus (previously called Gentle Goal Setting). The course is available for self-study any time and I will be running a supported version in January 2024.
Finding Your Focus is an holistic & mindful approach reviewing your year and thinking about your creative life. We cover core values and why you do what you do, review the last year, decide your own criteria for success and only then create your gentle goals or guiding lights which will give you focus over the year. This workshop includes 5 pre-recorded video lessons and accompanying workbooks.
Ruth Singer 
Let me know what you think