Meet the Artists: Charlotte Cranidge
Meet Charlotte Cranidge
Artist, Printmaker, Art Practitioner & Mum-to-Be
Three words to describe my friend Charlotte Cranidge - Dedicated, Determined, Devoted
Here is the evidence;
Our first encounter was in 2013. Charlotte would travel across London to Richmond from Bromley to volunteer, for Free! for an evening class after doing a full day’s work and then pack up, stay late and travel home again – all with a smile.
With an idea in her head to bring art to hospitals she singlehandedly fundraised and made it happen – Read about her work with West Middlesex Hospital here
And finally – She wrote this at 40 weeks pregnant on her due date!
In our last six years of working together we have experienced the rollercoaster of life and work; the highs and lows, the madness of gallery life, the excitement of coming up with an idea and transforming it in to a full-blown programme, event or festival. Charlotte is someone you want on your team if you want things to happen.
Card Design for THE DASH FUND Project
The combination of her creativity and talent together with her humanity, kindness and ability to make you ‘laugh out loud’ are quite something. Inclusion is in her soul; designing programmes for people with dementia, mental health challenges, teaching and championing young people who the system has forgot and ensuring art programmes go to hospitals – If Charlotte is having an art party ‘Everybody is welcome’.
DREAMS
Dreams is bright, colourful, vibrant and fun – it reflects the positive energy I want Dot Dot Dash Coaching to bring and the many layers we have as human beings.
In this interview Charlotte talks about her childhood surrounded by art, how pregnancy and lockdown have allowed her to focus on her own practice and the importance of art and wellbeing.
Can you tell us about you and your art?
The roots of my artworks lie in painting and print making, predominantly exploring intricately interlocking coloured shapes that have been observed in plans, diagrams, blueprints, charts and maps – turning them into abstract images.
However more recently my practice has focused more on a broader range of materials, experimenting with elements of photography and digital manipulation along with further investigations into print making, exploring outcomes that engage with texture, surfaces, patterns and form.
What are your first memories of ‘being creative?’
My first memory of being creative was spending a summer’s afternoon with my mum painting enclosures for my zoo and farm animals on two big mdf board. I remember mixing all the paints to create different colours and chatting away to her about which animal would live where – I was obsessed with those boards for most of my childhood!
“‘I only ever had my eyes set on becoming an artist!’
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What made you decide you wanted to work within the arts?
I had been surrounded by the arts throughout the whole of my childhood, my mum is an artist, but had a career as an illustrator and then in magazines, whilst my dad worked in theatres. I remember going on tours to the Edinburgh Festival and taking shows to Paris and Spain.
After leaving university I steered away from creating my own work and instead started to connect with communities in creative ways. I began in events - organising parades, festivals and town centre events before realising I wanted to refocus on art and meaningful making - introducing participants to materials and allowing them moments to discover, play and create. Honing in on their senses, memories, and personal associations, to make observations about their own artworks.
“I realised I had been so focused on participants creating works they were proud of, that I had forgotten about me. It was nice to have my own Neil Buchanan moments! ”
How has your creativity benefited (or helped) you during your pregnancy?
I would argue my pregnancy has been a benefit to my creativity – I’ve had more quiet moments to enjoy experimenting with new techniques and materials.
How has your ‘creativity’ helped you through lockdown?
I’ve been incredibly lucky and have kept quite busy workwise during lockdown – I’ve been designing resources, delivering online workshops and creating digital content. This means I’ve made something new nearly everyday since the start, which is a huge creative output!
Before March, I would have found excuses not to make or to rush an example for a workshop. However, lockdown has provided the time to make something that was technically challenging - something I was proud to share with others. I realised I had been so focused on participants creating works they were proud of, that I had forgotten about me. It was nice to have my own Neil Buchanan moments!
Don’t get me wrong, there are still days full of dodgy drawing and terrible collages, but I never edit them out of my content. As an artist I feel it is important to show others it’s ok to have strange days.
How do you cope with the ‘Juggle’ of keeping up with work whilst being pregnant?
I’ve always loved being kept busy – a way of life pregnancy doesn’t always allow you to maintain. So on days that I felt I was juggling work and bump, I took 30 mins out to explore something creative with a cuppa. This could have been another artist’s work, YouTube videos on new techniques or reading a book (especially anything with an Art History focus). This would usually refocus me – filling me with ideas or the want to have a go!
You are experienced in creating programmes around wellbeing - can you share your thoughts about the benefits of creativity on wellbeing?
Creative wellbeing programmes boost confidence and empower individuals. They enable people to take responsibility of their own health and wellbeing - improving quality of life, whilst bringing a little bit of creative curiosity!
However, in times like this it’s really important to for all individuals to be engaged in social, mental and creative activities – even if that’s experiencing them through a digital platform. I actively encourage everyone to take a moment to be creative within their daily routine, as this will provide you with an opportunity to process or express any emotions, stress or anxieties you may be feeling. This could be a few minutes of experimenting with materials or techniques, read up about a favourite artist or a setting a creative challenge. You need to give yourself moments to unwind and support your own personal wellbeing.
What are you big ‘Art’ Dreams? What are your next big plans for your creative work?
My next big plan is to enjoy the arrival of my little one! Looking forward to collaborating with her, which I’m sure will have an effect on my own work and practice. But I’m excited to not plan that and just enjoy the journey.
Anything else you would like to share?
Henri Matisse said “Creativity takes courage”, so be brave, experiment and enjoy!