In the Beginning...
- Ainslie Gilles-Patel
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
I can't believe it's come to this...
2025 marks 30 years as an artist for me. Seriously, where has the time gone? I can still remember being that 14 year old, eager and determined to become an artist. I was thirsty for knowledge, willing to learn, hungry for improvement and dedicated to achieve what I wanted to achieve. If I reflect, have I succeeded?
Yes, and no. Yes, as I am an artist, from my fingertips to my toes, down to the depths of my very soul. No one can ever take that from me. Or say that I am not. On the other hand, no, as I haven't yet achieved all that I wish to. The art (excuse the pun) of being an artist is to never stop learning, to continuously explore and challenge; to experience and experiment. If I stop now, even with thirty years behind me, I am only hindering myself, my art and my dreams. And I am a dreamer!
As should every child, I loved to draw. When a certain special person entered my life, my calling of becoming an artist was established. It was 1995, I was horse mad (still am!) but more importantly, Arabian horse mad! I had started buying and collecting the Arabian horse magazine, 'The Australian Arabian Horse News.' In the issues there were the 'Letters to the Editors' (remember writing letters and posting them?). A young girl by the name of Tammy had written to the Editor requesting penpals. Her letter had been published, along with her PO Box address. Well, I thought. The issue was old, but I would love to write to her about Arabian horses and drawing them! So, I wrote Tammy a letter and posted it. She replied, and this changed my life, which sounds dramatic, but it's how I feel to this day.
We wrote back and forth for fifteen years! I still have all of her letters. Within these letters, Tammy generously and patiently taught me all about drawing horses. She encouraged me by providing positive feedback and critique. I would ask so many questions, and I mean a LOT of questions! Poor Tammy would kindly try and answer them all, even doing little demonstrations in the letters as so I could see what she meant. I am a visual learner. I got it! But I also practiced my arse off. "Doing homework, Ainslie?" mum would ask. "Yeah, mum," I would lie. I was drawing in my room instead. I was crap at Math, but I was great at Art. I was not academic. I was creative. My eyes would glaze over in other classes. In Art classes, I would come alive!
I would not change a thing and have no regrets. Life is full of ups and downs. So is being an artist. I started out with a desk in my bedroom... Today, I have an entire 5m x 7m shed as my very own studio. Who would have ever thought I would get that kind of space? Not me! I am very thankful to my hubby that he is not a handyman or has a hobby that requires a Man Cave. I get my She Shed! That would definitely be one of the ups. Now, one of the downs... Hmm, let me think. My lack of self-belief would be one. Second guessing myself and my skills. Giving up opportunities for fear of failure. Losing my number 1 fan when my brother passed away. There are a few downs but on the other side of the scale are many wonderful things that have happened and that I have done over thirty years.
Whilst other things in my life means I am not as active with my art these days, I am still here. I love to wander out to the studio, play my music, be creative and continue to grow and see what I come up with next. I won't be retiring from art any time soon. Only when I can no longer hold my pencil or see what I am doing will I ever stop. I will be the old lady who lived in her studio, surrounded by original art and her love and obsession with art supplies and books. My eyes still light up when I speak of my passion and craft. I still need to bend the truth when I am meant to be studying (I am currently a full-time student) but really I am daydreaming about art or sneak out to the studio to draw instead of studying at my desk. And I am still on this endless journey to achieve all that I wish to achieve.
Here's to the next thirty years!
