Hazel with one of her sculptures
For the past five years Hazel Reeves has combined a job in international development with a passion for sculpting. Now the time may have come to adjust the balance:
"Art is a luxury. You can do something more academic." So said my mother 30 years ago when my sister was already at art school. I listened and had settled in an international development career when, five years ago, my own passion was finally unleashed in an almost visceral desire to sculpt portraits.
It started in my leisure time, with one local evening class a week. Before I knew it, however, I was sculpting portraits every Saturday in a London art school.
The point of no return came with a whole day sculpture course on a weekday. Cutting my hours at work was not an option financially given my new, scary mortgage. I could, however, benefit from my employer's flexible working policy. Originally restricted to those with parental responsibilities, it had been extended to all.
The case to my boss for a compressed working week - 35 hours in four days rather than five - focused on my need for a better work-life balance. Reassurances followed as to my continuing enthusiasm for work. As a manager myself I also needed the support and trust of the team. When I work from home they trust I am editing that report on gender equality and climate change rather than sneakily modelling a portrait.
Five years on I am running the research and communications unit four days a week and sculpting one to three days. Time-wise it's lucky I forgot to have kids. Finance-wise, a steady income has allowed me the luxury of honing my craft without the pressure of making it pay.
But now my sculptures are being exhibited in London. I'm being asked to do portrait sculpture commissions and to teach. People think it must be my "day job". No wonder some days I'm confused as to whether I'm an international development specialist or a sculptor - two very different and separate identities.
I'm now at a tipping point - if I want to make a career in sculpture I need to invest more time and energy. And I need to make this pay. Even if financially I had the option of giving up my day job, I wouldn't want to. Pearls of wisdom anyone?
Sculptures by Hazel and her sister Sandra can be seen on their website
