In your own words, how would you describe your creative work?

Emotionally freeing. Mercurial. My creative work is wildly unpredictable, sometimes I am inspired by something and create, sometimes it is barely a ruffle in a sketchbook's pages. I think that my ability to create, and more to the point, what I create, directly correlates to my mood state. I can’t seem to separate art and my internal thoughts. I guess that’s why it is so emotionally freeing, it is a mental cleanse to release everything from within and purge it all onto paper; it is like my paintbrush is my broomstick and the emotions are the cobwebs.

When did you first discover your passion for art?

Like many other artists I’ve always had a desire to create, an overpowering urge to make things. Although, it wasn’t until two years ago that I found my particular passion for creating art centered around mental health, and gradually, mental health recovery. It’s difficult to explain but I will do my best. I have lived a thousand different lives, and each life is a different artwork. Each artwork is a different passion incarnate. Since my exhibition, I have begun healing, and so my artwork has begun healing. Right now, I’m learning to play again; to experiment and to create without judgment or criticism. This is my current passion for art. 

What's the creative process?

Mostly, it happens to me. Rather than I happening to it. I let it happen, most of the time I don’t have an end goal in mind. I like to paint without thinking. In a way, the emotions that I paint go through a sort of universal translator (paint) and come out the other end as a finished piece. 

What does a typical day look like to you?

The day begins with an oat milk coffee and my daily medication; antidepressants and antipsychotics. Then I write down the day’s tasks and get on with some chores. Recently, I’ve started my artist residency at Clubb’s Yard Studios in Northfleet; I cycle to the studio and I set up for the day. I flit from project to project, thing to thing, I can’t seem to ever be settled. But I get stuff done. Then it’s a cycle home to my fiance, our little barky dog, Cooper, and smug marshmallow cat, Tofu. We cook asian dinners together and lounge languidly around the apartment, sometimes playing pool, sometimes doing some art. It is home. Peaceful and safe.  

What have you learned most about yourself in recent times?

I have learnt so much! And I’m still learning! For example, I have learned that there are multiple catalysts that sparked my recovery journey, they range from having regular medication (that actually works for me), to putting on an entire solo exhibition, ‘The Artist is Insane - an exhibition of mental illness and creativity’, to breaking my ankle (taught me patience and how to slow down, if I can heal a broken bone, what else can I heal?). The most important catalyst is the support I received from my fiance, my family, and my friends. They fought for me when I needed it, and stayed by me through the darkness until I was strong enough to fight for myself. 

Do you have any wisdom you can share with others who are thinking of launching a creative business?

I’m not sure about a creative business; but to lead a creative life you must feel the fear, and do it anyway.  

What is on your mind right now?

What’s for dinner?? 

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