“When people ask me about Tai Chi, my reply is that it has changed my life – many think of it as something for older people who just seem to fling their arms around but those who have experienced the practice of Tai Chi know, thankfully, that it is something so much deeper and engaging than that. As a painter my quiet time in the studio becomes an absorption of another practice that I love. To submerse myself into my painting is to experience flow, to be fully immersed in a feeling of timelessness, energised focus and enjoyment. How does this relate to my practice in Tai Chi? Recently I have been working on a series of paintings that I found to be so tranquil, absorbing and calming. I realised that part of my Tai Chi practice and learning had intertwined itself into my practice of painting, particularly these subjects. The way I am now conscious of my breath, keeping a rhythm of the work through each breath, the way I stand, knees unlocked, standing firm, and sinking. A consciousness of straightening my back to find balance and relaxing into each brush stroke and movement of my body. My use of the brush or pen has always been one of connection (having studied Chinese brush work many moons ago!) but now it is with evenness and deliberateness and with purpose and a more concentrated mindfulness of each mark. I have always sub-consciously practiced in this way, but the other day as I was working on this new collection I realised how much I was relating it to my mindful practice of Tai Chi. The two became totally connected. As a teacher of painting, I have always impressed upon my students the need to be aware of standing at an easel, of how they hold a brush, of trying to connect to the work and relaxing and enjoying the journey. There will be many slip ups. It can often get difficult; we lose concentration and can be cross with ourselves when we make those errors. But it’s OK to do all these things – with each mistake we just learn to improve. Tai Chi has opened so many avenues in my wellbeing and concentration and it is now an integral part of my own practice as a painter and tutor.”
by Catherine Hamilton, RMTC student and artist
