Describe yourself like an Instagram/Twitter bio:

I have just finished my bachelors in English Literature and Creative Writing, and now I am birthing myself into the real world, slowly but surely.

What do you do?

I paint portraits, I act, I write poetry.

How and why did you start?

I went to a Steiner School which continuously taught and encouraged all types of creativity. Art was my drive throughout education, I was always doodling and drawing people in class when I was bored. I was the arty child at school. I started painting portraits when I was 14 for GSCEs, primarily self-portraits because I was a reliable subject.

For poetry, we were always reciting poetry as a class. Every year for your birthday you were given a poem to recite on the day of the week of your birth. So every Monday I had to recite a poem in front of the class from 7 to 16. I started writing poetry when I was 16 and unrequitedly in love with someone.

In school we were always presenting our work through plays, songs, poetry, so I’ve always been quite used to being on stage. And acting felt very natural to me, even though at the time I was incredible shy. 

What are you currently working on/what should we be looking forward to?

I would like to focus on getting portrait commissions over the summer, as during my degree I have only painted 3 paintings. I’m continuing writing poetry and performing it and potentially looking into the idea of publishing.

What’s your advice for people who want to get started?

There is a lot of fear around just starting, and if it’s not perfect it is not worth it. Creativity is in all of us and we do creative things every day without realising it. Choosing which clothes your wearing, wearing make-up, cooking even talking these are all creative. I would say just start creating every time you feel like you want to do it, and it will become a habit without you even realising it. Make sure you carry around something you can quickly write any idea you have.

 Lastly, shamelessly plug yourself!