I remember being so moved after watching the magnificent 2016 movie, Maudie based on the true story of Canadian artist Maud Lewis. It was the first time that I wondered what it would be like to live a slow life in the country as a painter - to respond to my surroundings with colour and mark, to create works that deeply resonated. My desire grew from there.
But fear held me back.
Fear of being seen. Fear of not being seen.
I’ve always been a creator and seeker, yet I had never experienced fear quite like this. My past work - whether in baby accessories, jewellery or digital portraits - was rooted in celebration and connection. I loved facilitating these exchanges with clients, but deep down, I knew it was time to step away from safe, familiar work and instead create from a place of personal exploration. To be brave. To push my edges.
wrote in Big Magic, “Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.”I said yes. And here we are.
I began painting three years ago while dreaming of a tree change. At the time, fellow Substacker
from The Isolation Journals invited her followers to take part in a 100-day challenge. I jumped on board. I rented a small space in a shared studio, finally opened the paints I had been avoiding for months, and committed to painting 100 small 5x7inch boards.
Can you guess what I was manifesting?
In 2023, we made the move. We now spend most of the week in Dja Dja Wurrung country, in Mount Franklin, Victoria. We’re surrounded by native bushland—kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and abundant birdlife. It’s quiet. It’s extraordinarily beautiful. This land is alive, I feel blessed to be learning ways to move and grow with it. There’s no doubt this tree change will inform my work and sharpen my vision.
In July 2024 I was lucky to participate in a 7 day art workshop in the East MacDonnell Ranges led by one of my favourite Australian artists, Idris Murphy and run by Kerri Ainsworth at Art Travel Adventures.
I adore Idris’s work so to be in his company and bear witness to his teachings was a real privilege. Everyday we set up and painted, ‘en plein air.’ I really want to do more of this on our property so practicing this all week was invaluable. Observing how other artists set up and worked outdoors in the landscape was really inspiring.
It was a fabulous week where I made friends with many like minded artists a shout out to Colleen Guiney, Ross Andrews & Geraldine Richards - their advice to someone starting out was to do more of these kinds of workshops with good teachers as they are great for expansion, possibility and growth. There are many fabulous workshops available online - it doesn’t have to involve travel. Fellow Substacker
has great online courses. She offers a wealth of information for newbies.
I find writing a helpful tool to document my progress. So I am birthing this Substack newsletter to organise my thoughts and share my process for artists, art lovers, people interested in a tree change or anyone wanting to take a creative leap.
Out in the Wilds is a monthly newsletter for those curious about the unravelling journey of an emerging artist. I’d like to invite you to join me as I explore how solitude in nature fosters delight—how it shapes my work, my vision, and my artistic path. I’ll share my fears, struggles, insights, and favourite resources as I navigate both the land and this unfolding creative life.
I hope you’ll join me.
Warmly,
Samantha
So glad you said 'yes'! As I was reading your words, Sam, I was reminded of this beautiful Martha Graham quote that I've gone back to again and again over the years: "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” I'm so happy that the world will have your art!
A true artist indeed. So thrilled to follow along.