Lilly Meikle is an Art Psychotherapist and Painter who graduated with a Fine Art and Photography Degree at Brighton University and studied Art Psychotherapy at Roehampton University. Passionate about creativity and helping others, Lilly first engaged with painting when starting her Art Psychotherapy training at Roehampton University. When asked to creatively respond to her experience with clinical work, Lilly found the act of abstract painting very therapeutic, meditative process where she could translate her emotions into colour and pattern. Since completing her Masters, Lilly specialises in bereavement and has found nature and being outdoors as a supportive mechanism for grounding herself in clinical settings. This connection to nature is expressed through her artwork and recreation of landscapes formed through an amalgamation of memories and emotions.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I believe the contemporary art movement has influenced my creative practice. I admire how contemporary art is a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and subjects that challenge traditional boundaries. I believe this mirrors my own art making process, I continually like to experiment with uniting various different materials and seeing the results of these attempts.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I often find being in nature before I have a creative day is my source of energy and inspiration. I work at my studio at Checkendon, Oxfordshire. This art studio is surrounded by woods and fields and this setting is where I feel most free with my art making.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
For me, creating abstract pieces involves time, many layers of paint and essentially a mindset of embracing the unknown and surrendering to not always knowing what the final outcome will be. Some markings of paint can be enveloped by other layers of colour, this builds texture and contributes to making a unique background. However, other paint remains on the surface for everyone to see. This process parallels to my Art Psychotherapy practice as I work at a Children’s Bereavement Service. Like this creative process; grief entails emotions which can be lodged within us and challenging to understand. Alike to the paint which remains on the surface, there are also emotions which we feel safe enough to share and explore with others. The act of creating allows me to tap into my own emotional response to clients and gives me the energy to continue my clinical work.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
I admire and take inspiration from Andrew Gifford. His woodland pieces give an impression that you are immersed amongst the trees and the many layers of paint create a grounding and uplifting sense that you are in nature.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I always wanted to be an Art Psychotherapist and after I graduated with a Fine Art and Photography Degree at Brighton University, I then went onto study Art Psychotherapy at Roehampton University. I am passionate about working with others in creative ways, which is why I was determined to be an Art Psychotherapist. This is mirrored with my logged 3000 hours of voluntary work in settings such as Sue Ryder Hospice, Headway, Culture Shift, SLV Mental Health Psychology Placement in Sri Lanka, Crisis Volunteering for SHOUT, Starting Point and at various Children's Bereavement Services. I never had planned to be an Artist. However, the Art Psychotherapy course led me to my creative practice, which I will eternally be grateful for because I can’t imagine my life without painting!
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
I would certainly say an eclectic mix of music! From acoustic Indian and African music, to classical music like Enya and film score composers such as Hans Zimmer and Thomas Newman.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
Andrew Gifford b. 1970 1. Spring Light on Hawthorn & Moss, Waterhall , 2023 oil on canvas 60 x 79 ins 152.5 x 200.5 cm
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
I absolutely love visiting Cromwell Place, it has a lovely feel to the space and it is so light and airy and it is situated in a beautiful part of London.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
To always be led by your curiosity and trust your creative process!
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
Women Who Run With The Wolves.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
The woodlands which exist just beyond my art studio.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
To always trust the creative process. The Art Psychotherapy masters supported me in accessing deeper thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Whilst I was studying, the creative process gave me permission to grow to understand, trust and appreciate my inner self and when I devoted time and energy to developing my thoughts and reflect on my art psychotherapy experiences, I was able to better express myself.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
I would be creating art in the studio I am in now. I would have established the studio into a space where I have my art psychotherapy practice, along with running art workshops/classes. I would also liked to have had experiences of painting abroad at an artist residency in Europe.
Learn more about Lilly and discover her collection of paintings
