Melbourne artist Bobby Clark opens up about balancing her creative practice with self-care, motherhood, and the rhythms of a full life. In this conversation, she reflects on the rituals, relationships, and moments of stillness that keep her grounded.
When your studio, projects and life are all full, what does caring for yourself look like?
I always turn to water to still myself. I run myself ragged, then start to unravel. Steve can see me better than I see myself and nudges me to slow down and take care of myself, but I only ever listen when it’s too late. I need lots of baths and good food. Skincare (genuinely, not because it’s the topic) is my ongoing self-care. It’s the one thing my mum passed down to me, to always take care of my skin. No matter how busy my day has been, I need that ten minutes alone in the bathroom at the end of the night. I never skip my skincare routine, as much as it drives Steve crazy.
If you stripped your daily routine down to only what fuels your creativity, what would remain and why?
Interacting with people. People can really affect how our day pans out. One interaction can derail your day or make it significantly better. A single conversation can impact your thoughts and mood, so if I had to pick just one thing in my day that influences my work the most (other than being a mother to my children), it would be that. Conversations spark big questions or provoke thoughts that shape my work in the best way. I love my little morning coffee with my boys, Jonty, my toddler, insists on making it, which is annoyingly cute so having that moment with them every day in the kitchen, with the persimmon tree outside our window, is pretty gorgeous.
What’s one thing you’ve simplified in your creative or personal life that made everything better?
Outside noise. Which, right now, I am not nailing. I’m a people-pleaser to a fault and run my emotions through everyone around me, which isn’t the most productive or healthy way to function. I need to remind myself that my value and validation come from within. I get lost in this messy headspace and need to retreat to stabilise myself and remember that I am good enough just as I am. I am almost 18 months postpartum, so I am trying to be gentle with myself, moving through the phases of shifting identity from who I was before I became a mother, to who I am now as both an artist and a mother. Two roles that ebb and flow in and out of each other.
When you’re overextended, either in work or life, how do you reset and regain your flow?
Stillness and self-reflection. I have to go back inside and rescript the why. I am a balloon on a string anchored by Steve and our family, and I need to be settled to float again. I really needed the rain today. Also, a good holiday never hurt anybody. Coming into the shift of seasons, a little break always refuels the tank. If all else fails, art galleries, books, music, movies, GETTING OFF MY DAMN PHONE.
If a project, habit, or commitment doesn’t fit seamlessly into your rhythm, does it stay, or do you let it go?
I should, but often don’t. I’m a full-blooded, stubborn Taurus, and even when the stars are telling me something is off or isn’t right, I still fight to make it work if I am super determined. As I get older, it becomes easier to identify the things that are not worth my time and energy.
Check out Bobby's work at www.bobbyclark.com.au