When dentist Leticia felt called to explore her creative side, she joined an art course at City Lit. Here, she discusses overcoming ‘imposter syndrome’ and how studying painting has filled her life with a fresh sense of freedom…
Hi Leticia, what inspired you to study art at City Lit?
Well, I had been busy with work and family, and I had also gone through a health scare. Painting was a way for me to get back to my happy place and recover from all of that.
As a busy periodontist and parent, how have you fit an art course into your week?
As my Contemporary Painting Studio course is on Wednesdays, it's a contained day, meaning I can just structure my life around it. So I work the other days, have my days with my children, then have Wednesdays to myself at City Lit.
Video: Leticia Casanova
‘Painting was a way for me to get back to my happy place’
And how have you grown as a painter on the course?
Here, we have space and structure to improve, alongside guidance from really great teachers. We’re taught by professional painters and I've learned so many new techniques from them. I’ve also learned from my peers, for instance, by looking at how they get around problems with their paintings.
Have you faced any challenges in studying art?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is dealing with imposter syndrome. When I started the course, I hadn’t painted for 10 years, so I had to get rid of that little voice that says, “What are you doing here?” I had to just turn up to class. But my teachers and classmates were very supportive, so all I had to do was turn up.
‘Rather than living in a world of regret, just have a go’
What difference has this art course made to your life?
My time at the City Lit painting studio is very experimental, which is really nice because what I do in the dental clinic has to be so precise and measured. Coming and having an environment where you're encouraged to experiment, go with the flow and have happy accidents is really lovely. It’s a great contrast to my daily life.
So has the course given you a chance to express a different side of yourself?
Yes, in the painting studio, you can basically play from 10 to 5. With my kids, there's a lot of fear around messing up, whereas here it's a very free environment and you’re very encouraged to mess up. You get into a different zone that is very difficult to reach in your daily life, where everything is task-oriented and schedule-oriented. Sometimes, we all reach a moment where everyone is in the zone, painting away and not really looking at our watches. It’s nice.
‘Rather than living in a world of regret, just have a go’
Why should people find time in their week for their passions?
I think it's important to give time to oneself because life is a marathon and not a sprint. Studying painting is a statement to myself and others around me that I need to meet my own needs. If I'm going to look after others, I need to fill my own cup first.
What would you say to someone considering doing an art course — or any kind of course?
If we delay doing all the things that we love until a day that might not come, then that's a shame. Rather than living in a world of regret, just have a go. Right now, I’m investing time in what I love.
Many thanks to Leticia for sharing her experiences with City Lit’s Contemporary Painting Studio course. Find out about other students’ journeys with studying literature, acting, and massage therapy.
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