Something magical when you put pen to paper (or brush to canvas etc.). That action wakes up the right side of the brain and kicks your creative centre into action. Logic and jobs list get put aside and your synapses start firing up the imagination.

‘Participating in the arts can enable people to deal with a wide range of mental ill-health conditions and psychological distress.’ MentalHealth.org

They also go on to discuss how group activities in the arts can combat issues with isolation, a fact that I observe in action while running the Creating Confidence programme for East End Women. Creating together provides the perfect environment for connection. You are not only sharing a common task but seeing different approaches to the same starting point, which enables you to learn deeply about each other without even saying a word. This is incredibly powerful - especially for people who find it difficult to open up. Also, the act of buying your eyes and hands gives the opportunity for people to talk without worrying about eye contact. For those of us who have experienced trauma or need to talk through complex issues, eye contact can feel confrontational and artwork provides somewhere for eyes to rest while during conversation. This was something I learned from the amazing people at James’ Place in Newcastle - a place where they hang art in therapy rooms to give clients something to look at while they have their sessions.

If you’ve never bought art before, it can seem like a daunting world to step into. Often the stereotype of the huge white walled gallery with intimidating security guards and ever serious staff make the art world seem uninviting or out of reach but it really doesn’t have to be like that.

That ornament that your grannie had on the mantle piece, the tapestry you saw in the museum and the gorgeous photos in the ned and breakfast you stayed at are all art in their own right. We all have our own tastes and we can choose to buy as an investment or buy what makes us feel something.

Don't overthink it. Find what you connect to and follow your instincts. Here are some things to consider:

1. What makes you happy outside your home? Are you a hiker, gardener or fashionista? These could give you clues to the theme of work and the kinds of exhibitions you’d enjoy.

2. What’s going on in your local art scene? Perhaps there are small galleries, open studio events or artists running workshops. These can be great ways to get a flavour of work that is likely to connect you to your home. It’s also a great idea to check out the art in local cafes and restaurants and look up the artists. Local businesses often support each other.

3. What is your budget? You can find amazing art for all ranges of budgets and a lot of artists and galleries offer payment plans to help spread the cost too (I offer these on request or you can access Klarna through PayPal at the checkout).

4. What space do you have available? If you’re looking to fill a large space then ststament pieces from larger galleries can work a treat. You could even collect a series of pieces are start a gallery wall (I have a mild obsession with gallery walls). Even small spaces can benefit from smaller art and original prints are fab way to achieve joy in miniature.

Art has the power to make an immeasurable impact in the world. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve been part of it.

I don’t get political with my art. I make it to bring joy - to the viewer and to me. It’s self care and it lifts people but, more than that, it can be used to make a broader difference. It can take people away from their troubles even just for a moment and it can be used to drive change. Art doesn’t have to be showy and conceptually obtuse to achieve this.

Where do I find beauty?

It felt like such a simple question, yet as I sat with it, all these vivid, heartfelt images rose to the surface — moments, memories, tiny sparks of joy that weave colour through my days. I reached for my journal and let the words spill out. What emerged became the seed of this blog.

I find beauty in my daughter’s smile and laugh — the kind that fills a room with warmth.
In the crumpled nose of my nephew when he giggles, and the all-in, wrap-you-up hugs from my niece.
I find beauty in the colourful leaves and berries that cling to branches this time of year, in the twist of stems, the scatter of fallen petals, and the fractals of ice beginning to creep along pavements and windows.

Beauty lies in colour and pattern all around us: pink lipstick, funky jewellery, the boldness of art.
It’s in the creative process too — in the mess, the mistakes, the happy accidents that turn into something meaningful.
It shows up in music, films that make us feel something, comedy that makes us snort-laugh, books that speak to the soul, and the quiet genius of a good puzzle.

It’s in a home-cooked meal.
A heart emoji from someone you love.
The gentle comfort of a hand held in yours.

And the thing that struck me most as I wrote was this:
beauty isn’t rare — it’s everywhere. We just forget to look up and notice.

From an early age, I have enjoyed the great British seaside - earlier than I thought in fact.

I asked my mum for some childhood beach photos and one of them was this one of my looking awesome in dungarees and red sunnies. Apparently we were in Devon - I had no idea I even been there - and my toothy grin says it all really. What’s not to love about bare feet in the wet sand seeing parents building sandcastles and getting to knock them down?

I remember a trip to King Edward Bay in Tynemouth with my daughter at a similar age. It’s a pretty similar image except she was more adventurous and decided to sample the sand as food. Luckily the north east is home to some of the cleanest beaches in the UK.

We lived in the North West of England so most of our holidays were either in North Wales or The Lake District.

Towards the end of 2023, I was working away on a new print and now it’s time to tell you the story of how it came to life.

Tumbling is a celebration of the wild waves of the North Sea. I went to stay in Beadnell and we were greeted with Storm Babet. Some people may see this as a time to hide away and stay cosy but I’m not one of those people. Instead I collected my sketchbook and watercolours and headed out to explore.

Our first planned stop in Barcelona was Sagrada Familia - perhaps the ultimate collaborative project. The brain child of Antoni Gaudi and continued by various, sometimes controversial, architects, this impressive ongoing build is full of story and details and designed to represent all people and creatures.

It blew our mind that it only opened as a working church 13 years ago. My favourite part of it was the stained glass and how the colours spilled in and moved around with the changing light.