Mental health,
painted honestly.

“In the immense death of what is perceived as lost, also live all of your new beginnings. This is what the artist in you inherently knows.” ~ Alysia Quinn

“The bad days will come, like they often do, but perhaps you will not fret about their arrival quite like you used to. Maybe that’s the secret all along: it’s been so that a day is simply allowed to be both. Both glorious and awful, a mixture of sorts, with magical moments and terrible thoughts. I hope you learn to nurture them all, the good and the bad, the big and the small.” ~ Sian Wilmot

This piece explores the beauty of slowing down, choosing to see the magic in small moments and appreciating the beauty of simply being alive.

Created for Mental Health Week, this piece explores the duality of healing: finding the strength to keep going while carrying the weight of what we’ve endured. It’s a reminder that we can hold hope and hurt, gratitude and grief, all at once. It’s all valid.

“Align with nature. Magic happens.” ~ John Friend

Dogs can detect stress-related chemical changes in our bodies, sometimes before we show any outward signs. Frankie often senses when a PTSD episode is approaching, coming closer and staying by my side before I even recognise what is happening. This piece represents the quiet comfort, grounding and unconditional support my dog Frankie brings to my life, and the powerful role animals can play in helping us cope with mental health challenges.

Some antipsychotic medications can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature, making hot weather particularly difficult for those taking them. For me, the heat can cause intense discomfort, weakness and even fainting, making it difficult to enjoy summer, socialise and exercise. Through vibrant colours and melting flowers, this piece captures the contrast between the beauty of summer and the physical reality of living with these challenges

This piece explores my journey towards understanding and forgiving my body after psychological abuse. For a long time, I blamed myself for my reactions, whether panic, dissociation or shutting down. I’m learning to recognise these as my body’s attempts to protect me when I didn’t feel safe, rather than signs of weakness. This piece is both a thank you to my body for protecting me and an apology for the times I misunderstood its attempts to keep me safe.

“Change will come, even if you're standing still. Butterflies will keep flapping their wings and causing hurricanes. So, make your choices and make them loud. Trust your gut. Trust energy. And if you ceased to exist? Oh, the universe would notice. The mess that would make. The hearts that would break. So just stay. Stay for bad choices. Stay for great ones. Stay. Cause a few hurricanes.” ~Sian Wilmot

“In our world, dear reader, sad and terrible things often happen, though I wish I could tell you otherwise. But strangely wonderful things also occur, and this is the truth that makes life worth living.” ~ John green

“Has anyone ever noticed how people only love the ocean when the sun is out? Once darkness settles, the breeze kicks in, and the sharks come out to play, no one wants to swim among its waves. I hope I have never made someone feel like that, as if they are only admirable in the light, as if their darkness isn’t worth exploring. Because it’s when the sun sets that I sit on the shore and stare at the ocean in awe.” ~ Alondra P., I See All Your Light, I Love All Your Dark

A reflection on my ongoing mental health journey and the realization that struggling doesn’t mean going backwards. Healing is not about moving forward without setbacks, but learning to meet ourselves with patience and compassion along the way.

I used to hide my scars, but through self-acceptance, I’ve learned to see them as a symbol of my strength. I chose the daisy for this piece because they are often considered weeds and ripped out of the ground, much like scars can be seen as something ugly. This artwork represents my belief that, just like wildflowers, beauty, hope and self-acceptance can grow in the most unexpected places.

“I am not okay today. So, in the absence of okay, what else can I be? I can be gentle. I can be unashamed. I can turn my pain into connection. I can be a student of stillness. I can be awake to nature. I can sharpen my empathy against the stone of my discomfort. I am not okay, but I am many worthy things.” ~ Jarod K White

Inspired by an ordinary moment, this piece is a reminder that beauty can exist alongside the messiness of life. Even when our thoughts feel scattered and life feels untidy, there are still little moments of beauty worth noticing.

“Trust in your history of overcoming.” ~ Vex King - You’ve survived 100% of your worst days. Trust yourself to get through whatever comes next. You’ve overcome difficult things before, and you have every reason to believe in your ability to keep going.

Struggling with depression is not a weakness or a personal failing. Mental illness does not discriminate and can affect anyone. Through this piece, I wanted to challenge the stigma surrounding depression and remind anyone struggling with their mental health that there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Even in the midst of uncertainty and darkness, there is light to be found. Sometimes, we just have to keep looking.

“Something will grow from all you are going through, and it will be you.” ~ Steve Maraboli

“I hope one day your human body is not a jail cell. Instead, I hope it’s a sunny 2pm garden with daisies thriving because of self-love.” ~ Alexa Evangelista

“I know you’re sad, so I won’t tell you to have a good day. Instead, I advise you to simply have a day. Stay alive, feed yourself well, wear comfortable clothes and don’t give up on yourself just yet, it will all get better. Until then, have a day.“