I was recently asked by the Colored Pencil Magazine to share my story in a feature, which felt surreal- not because of recognition, but because it proves that the beliefs we carry about ourselves aren’t always true.

I thought I’d share a little bit of my journey as an artist with you, and explain why it’s never too late to rediscover your passions in life…

The Words That Almost Stopped Me

When I was 17, my art teacher told me I wasn’t good enough. Not just a passing comment—an outright you should give up and find another career. And for years, I believed them.

Every time I thought about drawing, that voice echoed in my head. What’s the point? You’ll never be good enough. So, I put my pencils away and moved on, convinced that creativity wasn’t meant for me.Fast forward to 2016. Life was stressful, and in the midst of it all, I received a gift—a colouring book and a set of coloured pencils. I didn’t realise it at the time, but that simple act of colouring would reignite a passion I thought I’d lost forever. Within a year, I made what some might call a radical leap of faith—I left my corporate career behind to fully embrace my love for drawing.

Finding My Way Back to Art

As a child, I was obsessed with horses. My school books were covered in sketches of them, and every spare moment was spent drawing. Somewhere along the way, though, that joy faded. I’d convinced myself that if I wasn’t “good” at art, it wasn’t worth doing.But coloured pencils changed everything. They’re forgiving, meditative, and so versatile—you can take your time, build up layers, and watch your work gradually come to life. That slow, thoughtful process became my escape, my therapy, and ultimately, my new career.

The Evolve Philosophy

Through my own journey, I’ve come to realise that artistic growth isn’t a straight path—it’s more like a spiral. You keep circling back to the basics, but each time you do, you’re seeing things from a new perspective, with more experience and confidence. This idea became the foundation of my Evolve Philosophy—an approach to art that focuses on joy, curiosity, and continual learning.

It’s not about striving for perfection. It’s about enjoying the process, experimenting, and allowing yourself to grow naturally.

Art, Dogs, and Daily Drawing

My kitchen table is my studio, often shared with four dogs (three enormous, one tiny) and a cat who insists on sitting on my reference photos. Despite the chaos, I still draw every single day—not because I have to, but because it’s become a part of me. It helps me unwind, focus, and find moments of pure joy.

The most rewarding part of my journey, though? Watching others rediscover their confidence through art. I’ve met so many people who believed they “weren’t artistic,” only to see them flourish once they let go of that limiting belief.

Never Stop Learning

One of the things I love most about art is that there’s always more to learn. That’s why, in my Ignite membership, I’m bringing in expert artists from different fields—botanical art, portraits, and more—so we can all continue expanding our skills together.

Even now, I think about that seventeen-year-old girl who was told to give up on art. I wish I could show her how life would turn out. How, after years of believing she wasn’t good enough, she’d finally pick up a pencil again and never look back.

Your Sign to Start Again

If this story resonates with you, if you’ve ever doubted your artistic abilities or put your creativity on hold, let this be your sign to start again.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up, you’ll find support, inspiration, and all the resources you need inside my Ignite Membership and Community.

Click here to join my waitlist… It really is never too late to rediscover your love for art!

If you’d like to read my full feature in the Colored Pencil Magazine, click here!