Michelle Gallagher: Member Q & A
Firstly, tell us about yourself!
I live in a little village called Rahm, it is between Düsseldorf and Duisburg in Germany. We have lived in Germany for 10 years now. I am originally from Ireland my husband is Dutch..we have 3 children each born in a different country. We have never lived near family so I have always been the primary caregiver.
I would describe myself as an intermediary artist, I love sculpture and printing ..I don’t want to be tied down to any area or discipline.
How do you continue to engage with your art practice alongside raising children? Do you have a dedicated studio space and routine, or do you work from home in between other things?
It’s a juggle, I usually work for a couple of hours 2-3 times a week in the morning and also at night when the children are in bed. I also teach ESL part time. Generally I work around my children’s schedules and try to discipline myself in the 2 -3 mornings a week regularly, sometimes more depending on what I’m doing.
‘Mother Earth’ stoneware clay, ceramic illustration with with glaze & glass.
What does a typical day look like for you and how much time do you manage to carve out for your own work?
- My 2 older children are gone at 7:20 in the morning, and my youngest at 8:00. So I try to do house chores from 8:00- 9:00 and then I go to my studio space (basement) from 9:00-13:00. I don’t have a fixed day..quite often it’s Tuesday, Thursday or Friday morning. I work as a TEFL teacher on Monday, and fingers crossed will start a new art teaching job ..so I fit my artwork in where I can in the evenings, weekends or when I’m waiting for an activity to finish I will have my sketch book or reading material with me that I want to catch up on.
Have you come up against specific challenges as an artist and mother? What were they and how have you navigated these challenges?
- When my children were younger, they had a lot of health issues..especially the eldest boy..asthma, skin allergies and food allergies, so that was a learning curve from day 1. Thankfully the other 2 didn’t have the allergy problems..just the usually ear infections and lung problems...we also moved county every 2 years for my husbands job..I spent my time working on photography and in my sketch book.
- It wasn’t until my daughter was 2 that I got a chance to work at a friends ceramic studio once a week..so during my other days I would prepare everything so I could really work for a solid time when in the studio. Then we relocated again to where we live now...so it has been a restart again with everything..schools, work, life in general.
- Then when my 3rd was born I took about 4 months break in the beginning..juggling 3 was a challenge ..a new routine to establish.
Now my children are 14, 12 and 7...so things have become easier in terms of working around school and their schedule to do my work..my children enjoy working in clay and will come and join me from time to time..I don’t get much work done when the 7 year old is there..so I guess it’s his personal art time 😊
‘Value Yourself’, Unframed, stoneware clay, ceramic illustration with with glaze & acrylic.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
- Find what you love doing, find your voice, speak your own mind. Be yourself.
- You are your own worst enemy. Believe in yourself.
Who are your role models? Who or what inspires and encourages you?
- My parents and sisters were always very encouraging...they don’t understand what I do which is totally fine...they have my back which is important. My husband is incredibly supportive often at weekends when I want to visit a gallery or have a show I’m involved in...he’s the full time parent. This sounds a little cliche but what happens in my daily life, conversations I have, articles and books I read, the fabulous nature side that surrounds me.
How has the experience of motherhood impacted your practice on an emotional/intellectual level? Has it made you view yourself/your work differently? Are there things that influence your work now that you didn't think about pre-kids?
-Definitely there are things that are different since having children. I am so much more sensitive to any sort of child abuse etc. be it real of fictional. I find I am more open to others opinions and ideas as there are 3 constant voices asking questions and having opinions . I have a few pieces of work the my children find a little difficult as they are about the female body..but I decided it’s where they came from ..two are heading into the teenage years and perhaps find it a little embarrassing. I have a huge fear for the environment they will inherit and this often comes into my work.
‘Tits Up ‘N Win’, Unframed stoneware clay, ceramic inlay illustration with glaze.
If your child(ren) were asked “Tell me about your mother” what do you hope they would say? Are there particular things you are trying to show/teach them as an artist, a mother, a woman?
- My mother works with clay and teaches.
What drives you to continue to create work?
-I have no idea how to explain it, it’s as automatic as breathing..I just have to create.
Anything else you would like to add?
- The balance of family, and career is tricky but I think it is an essential part of my children’s education to see that both parents work and sometimes Mama’s work is not so defined..especially her art work.
MICHELLE GALLAGHER is an Irish artist living and working near Düsseldorf, Germany. ‘My work often explores the natural world and the environment that surrounds us. I fear for this environment and what will happen in my children’s future..coral bleaching, rising sea levels etc. I am often influenced by what I see in nature and humanity’s lack of respect for these wondrous resources. My artwork is frequently influenced by the natural world, both the human body and nature’s organic forms, are a constant source of inspiration.