I Became a Painter at 45 - the Road There

Look for signposts on your path.

Your life calling may not always be obvious for you. Sometimes it’s only in hindsight that you see how your journey so far has led you to where you are meant to be.

This has certainly been true for me. For many years I was deeply immersed in the study and practice of homeopathy in my 30s. Before that, I was training rigorously, competing internationally, and teaching the classical Japanese martial arts of Iaido, Jodo and Kendo in my 20s. I never once imagined I would change direction and become an artist in my mid-40s! However, looking back over my journey, I see how my creativity quietly, slowly and ever so gradually came knocking on my door.

Reflecting back, a few key moments stand out that set me on this path. One came during the study of a homeopathic remedy whose theme is remembering what you were born to do. Through years of helping clients in my homeopathy practice I had seen how very few people actually know what they are really passionate about — and the remedy sent me deeper into my own question.

After years of exploration and introspection, a wise mentor told me my path was to be an artist. It was not remotely what I expected to hear, and I all but forgot her words. Then, a few years later, while conducting my own homeopathic proving - of Zamzam water - I was plunged without warning into the world of colour and paint. I am certain the proving rekindled a creativity that had lain dormant for decades. My life has run in a different direction ever since. You can find out about the Zamzam proving here, if you're curious.

The Blessed Tree, 2020 — acrylic on canvas. The tree beneath which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have sat.

So began my love affair with paint and colour - one that has kept growing in unexpected ways ever since. That road eventually led to the Hu Collection, and to everything that has followed it. The fuller version of this story lives on my About page — and the work it produced is in the collections.

Sara

A Quote I Love

“But beware of this about callings: they may not lead us where we intended to go or even where we want to go. If we choose to follow, we may have to be willing to let go of the life we already planned and accept whatever is waiting for us. And if the calling is true, though we may not have gone where we intended, we will surely end up where we need to be.”

(Steve Goodier)

That road eventually led to the Hu Collection, and to everything that has followed it. The fuller version of this story lives on my About page - and the work it produced is in the collections.

From the Hu Collection

Al-Karim, 2019 — acrylic on canvas. One of the first two paintings of the Hu Collection.