Why I Paint: Finding Joy, Healing, and Refocusing on Pet Portraits, Family Portraits & Art Classes

These past few months have been a whirlwind for me. Just as I felt my mental health beginning to settle, life threw another curveball — an emergency surgery that knocked me off my feet both physically and emotionally.

At first, I found myself asking: Why now? Why me? But instead of sitting in that space, I realised something important. I’d slowly slipped back into the cycle of overwork — pushing myself harder and harder, forgetting why I picked up a brush in the first place.

I started painting during one of the most difficult times in my life. Art wasn’t about deadlines or output then — it was about healing. About taking a quiet moment for myself, even if the rest of the world felt overwhelming. Picking up a pencil, sketching out a pet portrait, or losing myself in the flow of a watercolour wasn’t just a hobby; it was therapy.

This latest pause reminded me of that. It reminded me that art is meant to bring joy. Yes, I’m proud to create commissioned art — from family portraits that capture a shared memory, to pet portraits that celebrate the furry friends who bring us comfort. But at its heart, painting is still my safe space. It’s where I feel most grounded.

And with that in mind, I’ve decided to take a break from the big events — no more stressful, wet and windy weekends battling with a gazebo. Instead, I’ll be refocusing on what I truly love: portraits, teaching art classes in Sherborne, and growing my online shop.

And of course, it’s not just the art that keeps me going. I’m beyond lucky to have my family and friends by my side — especially my husband and my daughter. They’re the ones who remind me to laugh, to slow down, and to remember that life isn’t just about what we create, but also about who we share it with.

Maybe that’s what I want to share most of all: life is short, and it’s so easy to live it on autopilot. Sometimes we need to stop, take a step back, and reconnect with the things that make us feel alive. For me, it’s a brush and a canvas. For you, it might be something entirely different.

So my encouragement is this: carve out that time for yourself. Make something, try something, or simply pause for a moment of stillness. We only get one life — let’s not just go through the motions. Let’s live it.

✦

If you’d like to explore commissioning a pet or family portrait, join one of my art classes in Sherborne, or browse my art prints and gifts online, you can find more on my website.

Emma x