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Coming out

Writer's picture: Bridget MarchBridget March



I have moved on from landscapes! I have moved on from buildings! The year 2024 marks a fresh start and, in many ways, a return to my artistic roots. Perhaps my twelve years of exploration were necessary to uncover the truth within me.


I have been an abstract painter, often hiding away, only to occasionally emerge, only to retreat once more, as if I were in denial.




Joy of Life #5 - watercolour - 25 x 25cm


Last summer, I reconnected with my university love in Istanbul. The excitement was palpable, reminiscent of falling in love anew. However, time has passed; he is now a grandfather, and I am a free spirit, both acutely aware that we are in our twilight years. This realization brought a sense of urgency to express our love for one another once more. He encouraged me to write our love story, but since writing isn't my strongest skill, I decided to paint our tale of star-crossed lovers. The resulting artworks were a genuine expression of something deeply personal, shared solely between us. Yet, when I stepped back and observed my creations, I recognized myself in them, which took me by surprise.


In January of this year, I finally cast aside the figurative constraints that had held me captive, transforming me into a mere creative laborer, allowing the light of my soul to shine. I invested in larger canvases and let my creativity flow freely, unsure of what would emerge. What came forth was a profound honesty and a signature style that had been developing for years. Three of my new paintings sold straight off the easel before they were even complete.


What I discovered was integrity. It required courage to embrace it, and I now feel as though I have stepped onto the stage, emerging from behind the curtain.


This summer, I left Vietnam and returned to my homeland, finding a place to live and work in North Yorkshire, nestled among the hills bordering Lancashire. I've always cherished this area and feel a deeper sense of belonging here than I have in the past two decades. 


While my big old barge served as my home for a decade during my studies and work in Leeds, it never truly felt like home. My time in Vietnam was an incredible journey where I gained insights into humanity, love, kindness, and humility, learning what it means to live as an immigrant. However, in both locations, I experienced a sense of isolation—not loneliness, but an awareness of not quite fitting in. Now that I have returned to my roots and am forging new connections, I finally feel like a part of a vibrant art community for the very first time.

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