The Journey of a Self-Taught Artist

During this time in hospital, I discovered that my life had been mission-driven to be ‘successful’ in traditional terms of having a good education, a nice home, a good family, and material wealth. Outwardly, I had it all, but privately, I was falling apart, depressed and miserable. I had spent too many years living the life I thought was expected of me, rather than the life that was true to me.

One of those truths was that, as a young person, I had wanted to be an artist. But criticism of this not being a ‘real’ profession led me to follow a very ‘real’ profession in business. This trajectory, after many decades, left me incomplete. After spending time in a mental health facility in 2019, being treated for severe ongoing long-term depression.

Recently identified as having ADHD, I am finally hopeful for the first time in too long that my life will be less impacted by my mental health.

As a person who struggles with persistent depressive disorder and ADHD, I use my art as a major part of maintaining my mental well-being. I AM BIG, I have a big personality. I come from a big and loud family. Furthermore, I am a big person. I paint on big canvases because I find this freeing and suits everything about me. Painting on big canvases allows me to be untethered by space. I paint large blooms and petals, as these express my need to create as they burst out from me.