Sarah's life completely changed in one single moment. Find out how enforced bed rest inspired Sarah to dig out her old paints and rekindle her love of art during rehabilitation.
Life has a habit of springing things on you that you least expect and that's definitely what happened to Sarah, who found her way back to creativity in a way she really didn't expect.
Sarah's Story
My name is Sarah Smith and I never thought I would write this down. But it’s funny how suddenly you find your fingers tap tapping and writing out how you’ve come to find yourself where you are. Your current place. A place where things are great, but you look forward to them being a little better.and things ARE coollife IS good..but sometimes life does this thing where it sets you off on a funny tangent and you find yourself doing something you would never have done had it not been for an intervention.
A Sneeze Changed Everything!
My ‘intervention’ came in 2016. At the time I was juggling a farm, two businesses and a part time teaching job, whilst being a mum and wife. I woke up one morning and lying flat in bed, I sneezed. A casual sneeze..nothing spectacular. I SNEEZED. In an instant after the sneeze, I knew something awful had happened. I suddenly couldn’t feel my legs and everything in the most technical of terms went “wibbly and wobbly†I tried to stand but couldn’t and when my feet touched the floor in an attempt to stand, I couldn’t feel the floor.
It was one of the most frightening moments I’ve gone through. It turns out that my back had “GONE†.. Apparently, when you go to the doctor and they try to ascertain whether your discs have prolapsed they carry out certain tests. However, as an ex dancer, and with hypermobility I ‘failed’ these tests. My leg extensions and hypermobility defeated the odds so they debunked prolapses. I hate that word. I also hate the word bulge! Disc bulges and disc prolapses.
It took a year of my life to work out what was going on. I perpetually stank of deep heat. It was sexy.and all the while feeling like no-one believed me. I was making it up.
The staggered daily electrifying tens machine becoming a regular appearance and the agonising pain of the day to day. A year. A year of physio, spinal injections, surgery visits and eventually in Christmas 2017 spinal surgery. There WAS something wrong. I had ‘bulged’ and ‘prolapsed’. I hate those words. I had reached my limit.
Finding Art in Recovery
My recovery was what I refer to as 'the flat period!' Bed rest, lots of lying down & lots of time on my hands. It was also a time, where processing that year finally hit.
So I dug out some paints and began painting. I had tinkered with it in the past, but had never had the time. Suddenly time had opened up. Time allowed me to peel back the ticking hands. I had to create. I had to make.
I took up painting which has transformed my life. It gave me a creative release. A headspace to be in which wasn’t negative, didn’t judge, didn’t ask questions. Just ‘was’. Painting lying down and often at different angles, art changed my life.
Starting a Business
I created my art business during my recovery. ‘The Dartmoor Artist’ was born out of rebuilding myself both mentally and physically.
I also genuinely believe that if I can paint, then anyone can and this passion drives me on to encouraging others. In fact I’ve begun to create a series of workshops where beginners can come to my studio and learn some of the techniques I’ve learnt. Above all, my business is about recovery, community and being thankful. I fell in love with art, it was there when four walls were very bleak and my body/mind was pained.
I believe that anything is possible and that if you are determined, you will succeed. My recovery is ongoing and I still suffer from nerve damage in my left leg, but I refuse to sink and wallow in the negative. I decided that in order to ‘get over’ trauma, I could celebrate it with a new found skill. To that end, I have just celebrated a year in business with ‘The Dartmoor Artist’. With a collection of work coming from my ‘flat period’ I began to build on a technique and style which celebrated my lack of movement. The colour and vibrancy I could find in colour and brush, meant my work could move for me.
The Most Important Things...
Are my family. My husband was and continues to be my rock. He supported me, encouraged me and enabled me to feel safe. He also practically helped with the children, when mummy had to ‘lie down again’. Having someone you can be accountable to is hugely important and knowing that someone has your back (excuse the pun) when times aren’t so great, is life affirming.
My creative time is also hugely important to me. Having a means to channel ideas and explore a creative pathway feeds that part of my brain and my heart. I’m also at my happiest in my wellies, walking about the farm, and being within the countryside. Dartmoor really is spectacular and it continues to be a source of creative inspiration.
The Lows...
My lowest point was lying in bed that morning, knowing I had done something awful to my back, but not understanding what. Not being able to feel my legs and staggering to try and get up the stairs to see my children. Hunched over, stabbing pain. I cannot tell you the agony I was in.
It’s also been a tough year personally. I lost my dear dad in February and then my grandad six weeks later. My dad was my biggest cheerleader. He was the kindest man and a wonderful father, husband and grandpa. The night before he died, a little ladybird landed on his bed. It was one of life’s signs that assured me I could tell dad it was ok to fly home, he didn’t have to worry anymore. A few hours later dad flew home.
? Although he won’t get to see my new work he’s within every single painting. A little ladybird now resides in each original painting as a nod to my dear dad, who I miss terribly ?
...And the Highs
Having my work exhibited for The National Trust was pretty special! Alongside that moment when people connect with your work and then go on to have it in their homes. It is such a joy. When you’ve made something with love that you enjoy, it is INCREDIBLE when someone supports you by purchasing it.
Moving Forward
Life is good – the business is growing and I’m so excited to introduce my workshops. The menagerie of paintings grow daily and I feel really inspired and at my most creative.
There are a few events in the pipeline – Devon Pop-Up Artisan Markets and Somerset Arts week where I’ll be working with a collaborative of artists for the 25th Silver Anniversary of the event. I’m mixing the traditional country look with some contemporary country work and can’t wait to see where it goes.
I’m also planning to make some more me time and get my fitness back on track. My core was shattered by the surgery and so it’s time to get the sweatband out and commit to a healthier lifestyle.
Coping With Stress & Overwhelm
Usually, on the surface I appear fine but I do have moments where I really struggle with my anxiety and I still feel like I’m working on lots of self-care. We’re almost taught that self-care is selfish and I’m trying to prioritise myself so that I can be kind to my body and mind.
I’m a talker, so I deal with stress by chatting it through, often with my family. Sometimes I even write it down.
I’m a firm believer in fresh air, good food and family. Pj’s and a good movie with a glass of vino also helps me!
Advice For Other Entrepreneurs
- Talk through your worries or stresses with someone else OR write it down. Often verbalising the worry or naming it helps and you can have some clarity and control by doing that.
- There is Joy. In my lowest moments, I still believe there is something to be thankful and joyful for. The air in my lungs, my feet on the earth, my family, my friends..when everything gets a bit too much, go outside.
- Know that there will never ever be another you in the history of the world. That’s pretty mind-blowing.
Follow Sarah's Art Journey
Sarah is the founder of 'The Dartmoor Artist' - art with heart...living & working on the moor, inspired by colour, animals & the beautiful Dartmoor landscape.
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