Maroula Blades
Oyster River Pages: Why do you write and/or create?
Maroula Blades: I am a multidisciplinary artist. From an early age, I used to act out in my bedroom, pretending to be on a large stage, reading from a manuscript. My first impression of art was the natural patterns of the enormous mahogany wardrobe which dominated the space in my room. With a finger, I used to trace the patterns ingrained in the wood. This piece of furniture inspired me. In my photography and artworks, I seem to be drawn to depict various shapes which evoke mystery, pleasure, and curiosity in me.
ORP: What is the most challenging aspect of your artistic process?
MB: When I fall in a period of inactivity, it bothers me. The question “Was that it?” circles my mind. During this stage, I reassure myself that it is normal. Ideas and inspiration need time to accumulate. This is what I call the gestation period. Once this stage is over, I am fit to burst with energy. I can write, take photographs, make music and paint. I also try not to censor my work, especially in creative writing.
ORP: What do you think is the best way to improve writing and/or artistic skills?
MB: I expose myself to various forms of art. I attend photography and art exhibitions, poetry and prose readings, theatre performances, and music festivals. Doing these activities gets me away from myself and exposes me to other artistic modes of expression. This I find inspiring. Often, I find these artistic works feed me with energy and a healthy dose of curiosity to explore other ways to materialize my work. By doing this, I don’t stagnate. Of course, as an artist, you need a certain time of solitude. An artist needs to have time to work. But too much alone time can prove detrimental to one’s artistic development.
ORP: Do you know more than one language? How does this influence your art and/or writing?
MB: Yes, I speak German. The language doesn’t influence my work. As a British-born artist living in Germany, it does, however, aid me in understanding German literature. Knowing the language enables me to present bilingual creative writing workshops in schools and colleges, where I use my photography and artwork to illustrate my poems and prose. Besides, speaking German helps me collaborate on several creative projects with German artists, who may speak little or no English.
ORP: What does vulnerability mean to you as an artist and/or writer?
MB: An artist lays bare his/her/their heart, soul, and mind when sharing work with the outside world. Anxiety can run riot. In me, anxiety has in the past been so crippling. I wanted to remove work off walls or postpone a public reading. A question catapulted into my mind. “Is it good enough?” And the answers for me were “Good enough for whom; who are these faceless people? Don’t care about their opinions. An artist should be in the business of sharing. No matter what others might say.” So, it is best to prepare oneself to be mindful. You may experience some negative criticism, and that not all people will appreciate and understand your work or acknowledge it, but don’t give it power. The power to judge yourself. On the other hand, a criticism might prove to have a positive seed. Therefore, I try to be open. Even though when hearing the initial comment, it might hurt, I try for it not to overwhelm me into being paralysed.
