My Story
I have always been drawn to a world filled with creativity and expression. As a wee girl in pink ballet shoes, I would dance all day long. Thanks to my Mum’s wisdom, I was enrolled in ballet lessons at the age of three, igniting a lifelong passion for the arts.
My journey through education led me to study art at Higher level at school and go on to pursue a creative arts degree at university, where I graduated with honors. But it wasn’t until recent years that I fully embraced the life of an artist, a transformation catalysed by a deeply personal struggle.
The foundation of my life had always been a close, loving relationship with my Mum. We shared our home, including a Granny annex, where our two boys could grow up alongside her. In her final years of declining health, I looked after her, navigating a roller coaster of emotions. Although challenging, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Upon her passing, grief enveloped me entirely and I battled on not realising what a toll it had taken on me. My boys were 17 and 13 and I was working full time in early years education. Six months after my Mum died I ended up hospital with pneumonia, pleurisy, and sepsis. The A&E at The BGH spotted the signs of sepsis quickly and I am so grateful for that. But the illness took its toll, and despite my efforts to return to work, I was soon readmitted with pneumonia. What followed was a nightmarish period of post-infection fatigue.
It was a black time, where the interconnectedness of physical and mental health became painfully evident. My husband, Andrew, and my two boys, Nathan and Finn, became my pillars of strength, offering unwavering support. Friends and family rallied around me, and I cherished the incredible women in my life.
My GP played a crucial role in tending to both my physical and mental well-being, offering invaluable support during this challenging journey. My ultimate saviour was Barney, our puppy at the time. He became my therapy, pulling me into the healing embrace of nature with his unwavering love.
Painting had always been a part of my life, but during this transformative period, it became a lifeline. Despite returning to work, the stresses that once seemed manageable now weighed heavily on me, and I knew I needed a change. Striving for financial independence and control over my life, I picked up my paintbrush once more. I sought to infuse colour back into my world, both literally and metaphorically.
The profound joy of nature and my deep appreciation for the beauty of Scotland found expression in my art. These days I’m to be found in paint-splattered clothes, with the biggest stupidest smile on my face and as for the ballet shoes they’ve been replaced by wellies!
This website is a celebration of “Painting the ColourBack into My Life” and a thank you to those who helped me do it. Your presence here means the world to me, and I am excited to share my colourful world with you.
Melx👱🐶