My Story
A story of transformation and healing
I was born and raised in the beautiful town of Versailles in France. My love story with art began there at the age of 10 when this amazing lady waltzed into our school to give a presentation on three European art legends – Mondrian, Malevich, and Kandinsky. I remember the feeling of discovering something new that resonated so deeply with me. I was mesmerized, spellbound, and I've been head over heels for abstract art ever since.
From around the same age, I also had this fiery dream of becoming bilingual and living across the channel in England. So, in 1993, I packed my bags and headed to the vibrant city of London. A few years down the road, I found myself in Portsmouth, diving headfirst into the world of Russian studies at university. After graduation, I ventured off to St. Petersburg where I spent 15 fabulous years working as a translator in a city I adore.
Fast forward to 2017, and I'm back in England, this time to be with my partner and his two kiddies. Now, what about painting? Well, that had been part of my life on and off since my early twenties, and in 2018 I started painting every single day. Moving back to England was the main catalyst for this momentous shift. Settling in the little town of Boothstown, nestled in the Manchester suburbs, turned out to be much tougher than anticipated. I missed my dear friends and the beautiful city I'd left behind.
My work as a translator had me cooped up in my little office all day long. I practically had a permanent “Do Not Disturb” sign on my door. I was basically a hermit, seeing no one, going nowhere, and the highlight of my day was a solitary walk. When the COVID pandemic hit the world, I literally had lived in lockdown for 3 years already. The isolation took a toll on my mental health, and my relationship with my beau started to wobble. That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks – I needed an outlet, something to make me feel alive and to put the “fun” back in “functioning”.
I remembered the pure joy painting always brought me and dug up my old paints. I painted every day, like my life depended on it, and slowly but surely, things started looking up. Painting made up for the loss of my old life and then some. I found that the act of creating something gave me a sense of purpose and joy. Before I knew it, I was bouncing out of bed, all excited about the day ahead and the blank canvas waiting to be transformed. It was pure, unadulterated bliss!
A story of passion and meaning
Fast forward to today, and painting has become my burning passion. It's become such an irresistible force in my life that I bid farewell to my corporate career and took my first steps towards fulfilling my dream of being a full-time artist. The thought of being tied to a desk for the rest of my days just couldn't compete with the artistic calling getting louder and louder in my ears. So, just like I did before, I'm following my bliss once more.
Now, I can't say for sure how this journey will turn out, but one thing I do know is that I can't ignore this passionate calling any longer. My love for painting gives life a whole new meaning, and I can't help but honour it and let it guide me.
The challenges and achievements in my life give me strength and infuse my art with the power of passion and transformation. It is my hope that through my paintings, I can convey this power and inspire others to follow their own bliss, whatever it may be.
In the world of paint, I find solace, peace, and joy. I'm in my happy place when I paint, and I hope that joy radiates from my artwork. Ultimately, my goal is simple: to spread joy wherever my artworks find a home.
So, there you have it, my journey from Versailles to England, from translator to full-time artist, all fuelled by the unstoppable force of passion. It's a wild ride, and I'm here for every moment of it. Thanks for joining me on this incredible journey, and remember, follow your bliss, no matter where it may lead you! 🎨✨