Down the rabbit Hole
Like Alice, many of us have been told we’re too much, not enough, or simply wrong for the world we lived in. We bent we shrank, we tried to fit - but the truth is, we were never the problem.
Leaving that world behind isn’t easy. At first, the unknown feels disorienting, even terrifying. But just as Alice discovered, stepping into a new world isn’t about loosing yourself - it’s about finding who you were always meant to be. Here you don’t have to paint the roses red to please anyone. You are free to create, to heal, and to reclaim your power on your own terms
Tumbling Into Creativity & Self-Discovery
I wasn’t always an artist. At least, that’s what I was led to believe.
As a child, I was never without a paintbrush or pencil in hand—creating worlds that felt like magic. One of my most treasured memories is of a special paint bag my grandmother made for me, where I kept my most precious colours. But as I grew older, I was told that art wasn’t a “real” career. Instead, I followed the path that was expected of me, setting aside my creativity in search of something more “practical.”
That choice left me unfulfilled. High school became a blur of business subjects I had no passion for, and by the time I graduated, I felt lost. Not long after, I found myself in a controlling, abusive relationship that lasted twelve years—one that stripped away my confidence, my sense of self, and my voice.
The Awakening
My journey back to myself began in 2006, when I became a single parent and realized I needed a career that would allow me to support my children. I chose nursing—a path of care, healing, and resilience. For thirteen years, I worked as a theatre nurse, slowly rebuilding my confidence and finding strength in helping others.
But the real turning point came in 2022 when my son went through the aftermath of a toxic relationship. Supporting him through his pain unearthed memories of my own past—the struggle of breaking free, of piecing myself back together. The emotions were overwhelming, and I needed a way to process them. That’s when I picked up a paintbrush again.
What started as an outlet quickly became a revelation. Art had always been there, waiting for me. And this time, I wasn’t going to let it go.
Through the Looking Glass – Finding My Voice in Art
One of my most personal works, Torn, reflects the impossible balancing act I faced—caring for my son and my ex-partner as they navigated their own mental health struggles, all while trying to preserve my own emotional well-being. My ex-partner’s journey ended in suicide in 2006, a tragic reality that deepened my advocacy for mental health awareness and domestic violence support.
In 2023, Torn was exhibited at the Recovery Futures Exhibition, symbolizing not just my past but the resilience that came from it. Seeing my work connect with others made me realize that my art wasn’t just about me—it was about creating a space for healing, courage, and empowerment for anyone who needed it.
The Wonderland I’m Creating
Even though my art resonated with people, I struggled with feeling like an imposter. Unlike traditionally trained artists, I was entirely self-taught. So, I threw myself into learning everything I could, determined to master my craft.
In 2023, I graduated from the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery Program, a year-long deep dive into personal transformation and artistic evolution. The experience solidified what I already knew—the creative journey is never linear, but if you keep pushing forward, magic happens. Now, in my studio, music plays as I work on multiple canvases at once, layering collage, ink, acrylic, and oil paint to bring my visions to life. My process is intuitive, often subtractive—scraping away to reveal the forms hidden beneath, much like the journey of self-discovery itself.
Each piece I create is a portal—a reflection of resilience, courage, and transformation. My hope is that when someone sees my work, they see a part of themselves in it—a reminder that they, too, have the power to rewrite their story.
