We were lucky to catch up with Celia Pickering recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Celia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school

Distracted, lack of confidence and being a teenager.

Sadly I didn’t listen to my art teachers and lectures at Art college, my lack of confidence and distractions stopped me completing my studies. Although I was asked to stay, work hard and they knew I could do well, I really didn’t appreciate the importance of what of sticking it out and on with my course work.

Although I am truly happy with my life and feel extremely lucky, I know my art journey as a teacher and artists would have been made easy if I had completed my studies and got a degree.

Celia , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After being a mother and childminder, teaching children became so natural to me I started running little art classes in my local cafe, this organically lead me to run more classes, in larger spaces and schools. I have now being running independent, sell out art classes for children, in and around West London for several years. On occasion I do adults classes and also online classes for people and their carers with dementia.

During Covid, I transferred my art classes online, although it was a challenge to transfer my way teaching to my students, I found that filming myself draw, paint and more helped my students follow, learn and explore the art activities whilst online.

I would then upload my Timelapse video to my Instagram with instructions or ideas for everyone who followed me, promoting art for wellness.

Friends. Family. neighbours and followers would comment on my posts, expressing their enjoyment of my works, which then lead to commissions and my own personal art journey.

I am now part time art teacher and part time artist, with both businesses doing well and inspiring each other.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I know covid was a terrible time for so many but for me and my family we were so lucky.

Alan, who was never home before )as his job as a chef made him work long hour) was home, I was able to still work and my children were both a great age to coped well during home schooling.

This time allowed me to start painting, I wasn’t able to do anything for myself before as being a working mother never allowed the indulgence.

With all that time on our hands, no pressure of heading out to work, the school run and Alan home to help with cooking, cleaning and walking the dog, all of a sudden I had time to be creative again, this time not just teaching but for my to explore my own creativity.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Being self employed is hard work. I am constantly marketing myself, searching for new opportunities, exploring a new way to teach, so actually there is always a point where my art class business might need to change, or I need to adjust things and many times I have considered packing it all up and getting a job but my love for my business, support from family and community keeps me going.

At the beginning of each term, I’m never sure if students will rebook. Sadly every time the news reports of cut backs, tax increases, saving and all the other depressing thing moneys brings, art is the first thing to go.

Most primary Schools now have cut art from the curriculum meaning that only children with parents who can afford to pay can attend my classes. Over the years I have offered discounts and more to encourage parents to bring their children to my art classes but art to many family is a luxury and is the first thing cut from a child’s enrichment program.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artwithlittlepics.com
• Instagram: @artwithlittlepics
• Other: www.celiamartinepickering.com @celiamartinepickeringart

Image Credits
Celia is an artist, independent art teacher, and mother of teenage twins based in West London. ‘My love for art has been with me for as long as I can remember, but it was in 2020 that I began my professional artistic journey. Unlike many of my contemporaries, I’m primarily self-taught and have developed my own approach to art that is both original and personal. My paintings are inspired by Mid Century style and the natural world, with each piece reflecting my deep appreciation for beauty and my unique perspective on life. Through my artwork, I aim to transport viewers to a world of vibrant colors and imaginative shapes, inviting them to lose themselves in the moment and let their imaginations run wild. In addition to creating art, I’m also a dedicated art teacher who believes in nurturing creativity and helping others find their own artistic voice. My teaching philosophy is centered around the belief that everyone has the potential to be an artist, and my goal is to provide my students with the guidance and support they need to unlock their creativity and achieve their artistic goals.