I always said I wanted to be an artist.

 

When I was a child I drew animals constantly. It was the one thing that made sense to me and the thing that made me feel the most like myself.

 

As I grew up, people around me told me to be sensible - I obviously couldn't be a "real artist" , so I didn’t take art at school and because of that I didn’t take it at college either.

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I ended up in retail management for a few years. It paid the bills, but it felt like I was watching my own life from the outside.

 

After years of being bored,  I tried my luck applying for art at university. I had many rejections, but one said my work was naive but had potential, and actually gave me a chance.

 

I was relieved because I thought it meant I could finally paint properly.

 

BUT - one tutor told me to do photography instead. I was twenty, unsure of myself, and believed the adults who sounded like they knew better.

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So I went along with it.

 

After uni, I built a photography business and a life that looked fine from the outside. It was fine for a while.

 

Then everything collapsed. My marriage ended, I became a single mum of two young girls, and I had to rebuild everything from the ground up.

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Then in 2019 - long after I'd forgotten my artist dream - my brother asked me to paint a peacock for his wedding invitations.

 

I reluctantly agreed (mainly because it would get me out of buying an actual wedding present).

 

That painting brought everything back.

 

It reminded me how calm and settled I felt when I painted and made me wonder why I had ever stopped.

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I kept going. I painted more and more and people started reacting to the work.

 

They told me the animals made them smile and they wanted them in their homes.​

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I thought - could I sell these?

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Turns out, yes - people would pay for these.

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People were getting as much out of owning my art, as I was making it.

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Finally - finally - I felt I could paint properly - and more importantly, share it, with pride.

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So this is my life now. I paint full time and put everything I have into creating animal art that makes people smile.

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As much as this sounds like the dream, it really is not as easy as it sounds though. I still feel like I'm fighting. I am not always surrounded by supporters. I am fighting to prove this is a proper business and not just a pocket-money hobby. In my head though, I know this is my calling and what I'm supposed to be doing. The income and testimonials I receive prove it. 

 

My art is for anyone who is going through something tough too, or for anyone who needs a small reminder that they can breathe and smile.

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No pressure, no perfect-life messages, no inspirational slogans.

 

My paintings are here to give you a small moment of joy and calm every time you walk past them.

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If you want something that helps your space feel easier to be in, or if life feels heavy right now and you want a little reason to smile, you’re in the right place.

 

And I’m glad you’re here with me, as it makes me smile too. Thank you