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Rediscovering Art: How Creativity Found Its Way Back Into My Life

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Rediscovering art after motherhood changed everything. A personal story about creativity, happiness and how returning to art brought me back to myself. Recently I realised something the other day that stopped me in my tracks.  I think I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s not because life is perfect. It’s not because everything always goes smoothly. Life still has its challenges, busy days and moments where things feel overwhelming. But there is something different now. And when I really sat with that thought and asked myself why, the answer came back very clearly. Art. But my journey back to creativity hasn’t been a straight line. When Creativity Took a Back Seat When I finished my degree, the world looked very different from today. Social media wasn’t part of everyday life yet, and the internet was only just beginning to change how people connected and shared their work. Back then, becoming an artist felt much harder to imagine as a realistic path. Like many graduates, I fel...

Expressive Painting for Mental Health | Beginner Creative Art & Wellbeing

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Explore expressive painting for mental health, beginner art practice, and intuitive creativity. Learn how expressive art supports relaxation, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. Expressive Painting for Mental Health and Creative Wellbeing - lets dive in... What Is Expressive Painting? Expressive painting is a creative art practice that focuses on emotion, movement, colour exploration, and personal intuition rather than technical perfection. Instead of trying to reproduce realistic images, expressive art encourages artists to explore how colour, texture, and brush movement can communicate feeling. This style of painting is especially welcoming for beginners because it removes the pressure of creating “perfect” artwork. The goal is not accuracy but creative freedom, emotional expression, and enjoyment of the process. Expressive painting can include a wide range of subjects, not only flowers or nature themes. Artists may explore abstract forms, natural landscapes, or purely emotional...

Expressive Floral Painting: Intuitive Art for Beginners

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Discover expressive floral painting techniques, intuitive art methods, and beginner-friendly workshops to build confidence and creativity. How to Create Emotional, Intuitive Floral Art - lets dive in... What Is Expressive Painting? Expressive painting is an art style that prioritises emotion, movement, and intuition over strict realism or technical perfection. Rather than focusing on creating an exact representation of a subject, expressive artists use colour, texture, and mark-making to communicate feeling and energy. In expressive floral painting , flowers become more than botanical forms — they become vehicles for storytelling, emotion, and creative exploration. Through layered colour, loose brushwork, and spontaneous composition, artists create artwork that feels alive and personal. This style of painting has become popular among both beginners and experienced artists seeking greater creative freedom. Why Expressive Floral Painting Is So Popular There has been a growing interes...

Creative Wellness: How Mindful Creativity Supports Mental Wellbeing

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In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of calm can feel impossible. Between work, family, and constant notifications, it’s easy to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Creative wellness offers a gentle path back to balance. Through mindful creativity and simple art practices, you can slow down, focus your mind, and reconnect with yourself — no artistic experience required. What Is Creative Wellness? Creative wellness combines mindfulness and artistic expression to support mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s not about producing perfect artwork or having artistic skill. Instead, it’s about the process of creating — a meditative practice that helps you relax, reflect, and recharge. Common creative wellness practices include: Intuitive doodling Mandala pattern making Repetitive mark-making Guided visual exercises These activities calm the nervous system, enhance focus, and provide a simple, enjoyable way to care for your mental health. Benefits of Mindful Creati...

Exploring Freedom Through Abstract Expressionism

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 As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to Abstract Expressionism —a form of art that celebrates emotion, intuition, and personal expression above all else. Unlike representational art, which focuses on realism or capturing the world as it looks, abstract expressionism is about feeling first, creating second . It’s messy, it’s spontaneous, and it’s profoundly freeing. What Is Abstract Expressionism? Abstract Expressionism emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in New York, with artists like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock leading the movement. These artists weren’t trying to depict objects or landscapes—they were exploring colour, form, and gesture as a way to communicate emotion . Mark Rothko used large areas of colour to evoke deep emotional responses. His works are meditative, inviting the viewer to connect with their own feelings. Gerhard Richter , though slightly later, blurred lines between abstraction and realism, often layering paint and using scraping techniques ...

Doodle Into Calm: Why Doodling Is a Small but Powerful Tool for Mental Wellness (and Why You Should Try It)

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As we leave 2025 behind and look toward 2026, many of us feel the need to pause, breathe, and reset. Winter has a way of slowing us down — and we often find ourselves craving something gentle, grounding, and nourishing to bring us back into focus. For me, that calming space has always been  doodling  at this time of year. Yes — doodling. The thing many of us did absentmindedly in school margins or on meeting notes. The thing we often dismiss as “silly” or “mindless.” But doodling is far from mindless. In fact, it’s one of the most accessible and underestimated creative practices for wellbeing, clarity, and emotional grounding. Let’s explore why doodling is so beneficial The Benefits of Doodling for Mental Wellness 1. It reduces stress and helps calm the mind Doodling’s repetitive marks, simple shapes, and gentle rhythms activate parts of the brain associated with ease and relaxation. It occupies the hands just enough to let the mind slow down, much like knitting, walki...

Studio Update: Coastal Floral Commission in Progress

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  Studio Update It’s been a busy first few months back in the studio, and I’ve been diving into a new commission that I’m really excited about! This piece is shaping up to be a blend of coastal scenery and abstract florals , bringing together different elements for a summery, light-filled effect. I’ve only just started it — spending about two to three hours so far — but even in these early stages, it’s already feeling wonderfully summery and bright. There’s something special about starting a piece from scratch and watching it slowly take shape on the canvas. Here’s a little sneak peek of the progress so far: Behind the Story This piece is a little homage to my grandfather, who was also a painter. He had a deep love for sea and landscape scenes, and I have such fond memories of watching him work as a child — mesmerized as he applied paint to the canvas and taught me the basics of composition and layering to create depth. He was my first teacher and opened my eyes to the world o...