In April 2024 I started selling some of my illustrations on Etsy. Creating art and sharing it with the world was a childhood dream, and after a circuitous path, that dream is now becoming a reality. Here is a bit more of my story…

The Start 

As a child I spent the majority of my time in the garden, playing with our family pets, drawing or crafting. Art was something I loved and was good at. I struggled at school with reading and spelling so art was my safe place, an escape.

After doing Art GCSE and A level I wanted to go to art college, but opted for the “safer” career option of vocational training, embarking on a career in Speech and Language Therapy. My thinking was that I would always have my art for me, and keep my art safe by not needing to rely on it for an income. That was ironic because once I started University I stopped drawing, spending all my time studying and adjusting to living away from home for the first time. 

The Middle 

I graduated with an Honours Degree and started in my chosen career. I worked hard and was good at what I did, but deep down I never felt that I was enough. Thinking I just needed to do more and work harder (not true). I was exhausted and depressed, feeling that everything I did had to have significance, purpose and value. I believed that I couldn’t waste time on frivolous things and so my life became very serious. It was hard to relax and everything felt overwhelming and unsatisfying.

Eventually I realised that the impostership I felt was simply an indication that the profession wasn’t the right fit for me. It wasn’t easy giving up on a career that I had worked so hard for. A career that gave me value in society. I was fearful of disappointing my family and of having no value in the world. But much like a fancy pair of shoes, they might look good to an outsider, but I’m the one wearing them. If they don’t fit right it makes me uncomfortable and unable to move freely. 

The End (but also the beginning)

It took time to reframe my thinking and gain new insight. Habits take time to change. Initially I needed a tangible reason to justify spending my time drawing again. Thankfully I discovered Surface Design which gave me the permission I needed to be creative. At that point I felt like the hopeful, excited 18 year old again, able to choose a future that felt right rather than look good.

With new insight I now know and believe that those frivolous and insignificant activities are what bring me joy and a sense of peace and calm. They aren’t and never were frivolous. The truth is, those things are vital to my health and wellbeing. Giving them the value and time they deserve makes life better and more meaningful for me.

That brings us to now. Here I am creating illustrations (as well as repeat patterns, all available for licensing) and putting them out into the world. My hope is that in sharing my story and my art with you, it gives you permission to reconnect with the things that bring you joy and peace. 

The biggest lesson I’ve learnt so far is that you don’t need a reason to do the things you love. What you love has real value, simply because you love it.