What's in a name?

What is Epiphany, what does it mean?

I remember I liked the word the first time I heard it, which was as a young child in church. In Christianity, Epiphany is a celebration or season of the church year, depending on which tradition you’re looking at.

In more general terms it means a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into reality or the essential meaning of something, often initiated by some simple, commonplace occurrence – i.e. a flash of insight. That’s the meaning I came to understand at a much older age and that’s the meaning it has for me here.

The realization that I need to (not just wanted to) get back onto an artistic path was an epiphany to me and I was very happy about it!

So why the name Epiphany London?

When I moved to the UK I knew I wanted to continue my art journey in some way. So I had to learn some things about the ropes of the education system here, including adult education courses. Also I had to get information about the whole scope of what’s available and how to access what I was looking for. In doing that, I’ve had various courses at a number of places – all have been interesting. There’s *so much* variety available here! Also the standard of work people do within their various interests is very good. So London is a great place to pursue further education of art/craft and it’s just a matter of finding your path and the course or programme that fits for you.

So in the midst of all that came the time to choose a name I would work under for my art. I considered a few but came back to the basic reasons why I liked Epiphany. The London part wasn’t as obvious to me – ok I’m living here but I don’t necessarily want a name tied to a place. However there’s so much great art and design here. And even though it’s England and the United Kingdom, London is also such a diverse and unique place of its own. So put the two words together and I like the sound of that.

The urge that just won’t go away: art and design

Welcome to my blog. A new year and reinvention in the air, I’ve decided to finally join in with so many others who write about what interests them online, taking the opportunity to use this venue to explore interests in art and design. 

The story of the journey

By the time I finished high school I was looking forward to college and the courses leading to an art major. Yet hit by a variety of factors I lost my way and set off in another direction – a long route around as it turned out.

So after more years than I’d like to say I found myself in the mid 1990s feeling like something in my life was missing. I did a one day retreat with myself using a book called Wild Heart Dancing: A Personal, One-Day Quest to Liberate the Artist and Lover within by Elliot Sobel. That was a great day and very helpful!

And within that experience I found the answer – the something that would satisfy this particular need was to find something arty I could really get into.

I looked at some options however there wasn’t a wide range to choose from in my town (just because I was going to be an art major doesn’t mean I believed I could draw or paint, so both of those options were out – found out later I’m a designer but more about all that another time).

Then I remembered there was a stained glass studio near me and the owner also offered lessons in the evening. I went in to check it out and signed up on the spot. Three years later he had moved out of the area and I was running the studio, giving lessons, selling supplies and showing and selling my work in local art shows.

Fast forward another few years and I’d moved to London – not something I ever thought was even possible! So with such a variety of learning opportunities available practically on my doorstep, I set about learning the ropes of schools and courses to taking advantage of the opportunity.

After a few more years I completed a City and Guilds certificate in stained glass and am on the last leg of a two-year evening art and design course. There have been some other courses mixed in too. Later this year I will start another programme – this time a part time degree programme which will lead to a regular university degree if I choose.

So here I am now, full circle after such a long time. It would be easy to become overwhelmed with regret if I let myself do that – but I refuse to go there. All the years of my life that have passed and the experience and learning they contain provide a wealth of material to inform my art. Regret would be what I’d have if I just ignored the pull to seek out my art and didn’t explore where I can take this. So there it is.

At this crossroad I expect to write about the journey and what I discover along the way – various art and design interests and projects. I hope you’ll find things here that are interesting and even helpful. If you find some inspiration for your own artistic journey then please know I am very happy for you and am cheering you on as well!