Making Space: Why I Believe in Mindful Art

There was a time in my life when the idea of making space felt laughable.I was running a business full-time, raising a newborn, and trying to keep everything ticking over while ignoring the fact that I was completely burned out.

I didn’t realise how tightly wound I had become until I picked up a pencil again — just a sketch, a scribble, a charcoal line. It wasn’t for anything. I wasn’t planning a product or a gift or a post. I just… drew.And in that moment, something shifted.

It wasn’t about the outcome — it was about the process.

The act of creating slowed my brain down. It brought me back into my body and for the first time in a long while, I felt still.

Over time, I began to carve out more of these little windows — five minutes here, ten minutes there. It wasn’t always tidy. Sometimes it was a chaotic splash of watercolour with a toddler climbing on my lap. Other times it was a peaceful hour with charcoal smudges on my fingertips and no sound but the scratch of paper.

I began to realise that mindful art wasn’t a luxury. It was a necessity.

Not because I wanted to become a professional artist (though, somehow, that’s what ended up happening).

But because it gave me something the rest of life forgot about — space to slow down without guilt.

It was like turning the volume down for the first time in ages — no pressure, no chaos, just a moment.

Since then, art has become my full-time job — and I love that. But being honest? It’s easy to lose sight of why I started. Between the admin, the invoices, the shows, the emails, the social posts (and the laundry, obviously), it’s all too easy to let the joy get buried under the business.

And if your brain works anything like mine — full of tabs open, ideas flying, and the occasional ADHD-flavoured brain-fog — you’ll know how hard it can be to just stop and focus on one thing.

That’s why holding space for mindful art — both for myself and others — has become even more important. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just work. It’s how I breathe.

That’s the heart behind my mindful art sessions — both the structured courses where I gently weave in mindfulness alongside skill-building, and the more open drop-in evenings that are purely about the process.

Whether someone turns up to learn something new, or just to take a breather and make marks without pressure, my aim is the same: to create a space where people feel free to explore, without judgement.

And honestly? I love it.

There is something deeply meaningful about watching someone arrive flustered and unsure, and leave with colour on their fingers and a grin on their face. To see that shift — that tiny change in energy, that moment where they let go of “should” and just create — it’s the reason I do this.

Art gave me a way to heal. Now I get to pass that on, in small, steady ways, every time I run a class. It’s the best part of my job.

✦ Curious about joining one of my upcoming sessions? You can see what’s on here.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or just feeling a bit creatively stuck — there’s always room at the table. Aren't ready for group sessions yet? Contact me for private sessions.

Emma x