Hello
My love of art and English, started at an early age, taking photos on family days out, sketching, which continued when I studied Art and English at Rochester Tutors in Rochester, Kent. But like many artists, life took over and for years,
my pencils and pens rarely saw the
light of day, other than for the occasional
pet portrait for family and friends.
I didn't immediately follow a creative career, but I did eventually go on to enjoy nearly fifteen years as a part time wedding and freelance branding photographer which I managed, with the support of my dedicated Mum, around my three gorgeous sons, whom I raised as a sole parent.
In 2024 I decided to put my camera to one side to pursue a new creative career but I just was unsure what that would look like. Then in the New Year of 2025, my world was rocked by a family circumstance that found me spending huge amounts of time at Kings College Hospital, London.
On parking the car, I would walk, at times, daily, to Kings, through Ruskin Park which is a stunning green space, nestled next to the world class hospital and boasts unexpectedly impressive views of central London.
On my walks, I found time to breathe and ground myself by observing the reassuring predictability of the trees, plants throughout the changing seasons and the many animals that have made the park their home.
I also enjoyed the company of the community using it both alone and in groups as a safe and
regenerative sanctum amongst the urban pace.
As I walked, I took photos and gathered fallen leaves and grasses, sketched them once home and began to develop a sense of the vital importance of nature for wellbeing, especially those needing support through a challenging time. These few minutes each day gave me peace and strength when I needed it most.
As I drove to and from Kings, I also observed the people going about their day, particularly where I sat in the heavy traffic through Camberwell, Peckham, Lewisham, Deptford and Blackheath and between my own thoughts I would wonder what the people I observed had going on in their lives.
Observing not only the beautiful natural changes of each season, but also the changes in the way the community used the space and surrounding urban areas throughout the year, I was inspired to use the experience to create something that could offer the same comfort and hope to others going through challenging circumstances, so I decided to turn my sketches into something more. I began designing cards and artworks,
making linocut prints, sketching and also allowing my imagination the chance to roam
so that I could also explore the associated whimsy of nature and slow living.
Some of my cards are text based. These are my own words fuelled by a desire to create cards that help people gift the sentiments that are sometimes hard to put into words but have the potential to opening
meaningful connection when it's needed most.
As the journey continues, so do my observations and so do my ideas and associated artwork and writing.
I really hope that my work helps people connect with loved ones and that it will then bring
comfort, hope and wellbeing to others who are also trying to navigate the many changing
seasons and situations of their lives.
Much love,
Julia x