I currently have a couple of pieces at the Inspired by...Gallery 'The Art of Being' exhibition. The exhibition looks at the profound connection between art, creativity and mental health. Below is the piece I wrote which is displayed alongside my work. It covers the deeply personal role art has had in my mental well being.
The Silent Conversation
Art has always been my quiet companion, a thread woven through my life from a young age. There’s something instinctive about creating, a pull that has remained constant no matter what else was happening. I’ve always noticed that when I’m engaged in making something—whether it’s drawing, painting, or any other form of expression—my mind settles. It’s as if creating gives me the space to process my thoughts and feelings without even trying, offering a kind of calm that feels both grounding and restorative.
Over the years, I’ve faced my share of challenges with anxiety and depression. At times, these struggles have felt overwhelming, but the act of creating has always offered a reprieve, a way to regain a sense of balance. Even in moments when things felt particularly heavy, the simple rhythm of creating has helped me find a mental and emotional clarity I didn’t know I needed.
In recent years, after losing my husband unexpectedly in 2020 and my father just two years later, I found myself in a place of profound grief. The weight of those losses was immense, and yet, slowly, my creativity began to return. Nature, with all its resilience and beauty, has become a major source of inspiration for me. The world outside my studio—whether it's the changing seasons or the quiet moments of dawn—has a way of helping me reconnect with the present, and with the joy of creating once again.
Art has always been my anchor, but now it feels like something even more. When I’m absorbed in the process of making, my mind feels lighter. I find comfort in the simplicity of it—the way my hands move, the way colours come together. It’s a reminder that, no matter what’s happening in my life, there’s always room to create, to find stillness, and to experience a moment of peace.
Early Bright (2024) Husk (2024)