STORY - "Looking for Pollicino."
By Tracey Edstein  

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood - Jean Cocteau 

When Angela Pollicino read Melina Marchetta's novel Looking for Alibrandi , she identified immediately with the protagonist Josie Alibrandi: “I loved that book!”

As a child, Angela saw her Italian heritage as a curse, rather than a blessing. Her lunches were not like the other children's, her hair was too curly, her name was usually misspelled.

Now, one of Angela's many dreams is to master Italian in Italy , and to immerse herself in her Italian culture. This sea change is symptomatic of many that have happened in a life that has been a real journey of discovery.

Educated in diocesan schools and graduating in Science from Newcastle University , Angela embarked on a career in education in Inverell. When she married a fellow teacher, her Italian parents and three siblings, friends and colleagues saw her fulfilling expectations – and she was comfortable in their perception of who she was. Living in a new town and belonging to a second family was challenging and Angela sees now that she responded by becoming the person those around her wanted her to be. After a few years, she returned to teach in Newcastle with her husband, but her sense of self was quavering. Sadly, the marriage came to an end, despite the conviction on both sides that they had made a lifetime commitment.

A period of fragility followed, during which Angela appreciated more than ever the comfort of home and family. Today, she is philosophical, never glib, and is convinced that regret is a wasted emotion. An eventual return to teaching provided stability and taught her that focusing on others was really the way to begin healing herself.

However, familiarity was not ultimately satisfying and possibilities that could not have been anticipated began to dawn. Independent travel was challenging and rewarding, and Angela found that it broadened the spirit as well as the mind. She learned spontaneity!

Home is where the art is ...
Reflecting on her experiences, she was led to recall that while she had studied science, art had always been a source of satisfaction and contentment, so she began experimenting with symbol, colour and texture. “The pictures I created captured the direction, purpose and meaning I was searching for - revealing a world overflowing with abundant answers, deep insights and a message full of hope...”

Soon, the idea of a book that would capture what Angela was learning and creating arose…and she was offered the opportunity to be the ‘hostess' on a yacht in the Greek Islands ! Serendipitously, the yacht was called Dream Time , and the time and space it provided were real gifts.

The result was Story: the Art of self discovery , a visual feast alive with colour and words, light and life. As she says in Story , “I am me. No more, no less. A woman – hopeful, heart-filled, blessed… I will find that place where I am wise.”

That you may have life to the full ...
Because she is both writer and illustrator, Angela speaks of “making Story ”, but ironically, she does not see it as her story: “I wanted people to feel that it was just as much their story. I hope to encourage others to develop their creative potential - to explore self-expression and to experience the benefits. There is such an untapped dimension to art. I've learned to tap into a vision that is about potential. God says, ‘These are all the wonderful things that you can have and now, you choose. All of them will make you happy'… I love the way God works!”

According to artist Friedrich Busch, “Art is a form of prayer. It's a way to say what is not sayable.” Angela agrees wholeheartedly: “For me, doing my art is prayer... it's getting in touch with that higher source.”

The next step in Angela's journey is impossible to predict, but she would love to establish a “creative suite” where people could be free, and encouraged, to explore their creativity. “People set aside time to go to the gym to maintain physical health, why not create time to create?”

Somehow I have no doubt that this “hopeful, heart-filled, blessed” woman will realise the dream – and the rest of us will be the richer for it.

Story: the Art of self discovery has to be seen to be appreciated, so visit www.thecreativesuite.com for a preview or better still, visit the Book Hog, Union St The Junction to purchase a copy.

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