Art and design

I really enjoyed my productive and creative time as Research Scientist and Managing Editor, but when I became ill with my first cancer, I could no longer perform these duties. During recovery, I turned back to my creative side: writing and art became the things that would help me recover fully.

I wasn’t quite ready to throw myself back into the high-stress world of diagnostics or clinical pursuits, so began selling and licensing my art. I had found another outlet for my storytelling, creating and selling cards and designs to major multiple retailers and licensing my designs for everything from T shirts for New Look to contemporary designs for homewares. I had so much fun that it became a full-time business, which I sold seven years later.

I have continued with art and illustration over the years, selling designs and illustrating my own books. Most of my designs are currently available for licensing and books.

I returned to my scientific communications roots, then cancer struck again. This time the treatment resulted in me developing an array of ailments, ranging from eczema (head to toe and lasting a whole year) and various food allergies and intolerances. This was the beginning of my food industry journey. However, it was most definitely not the end of my love for writing and art.

Having achieved sales in several major multiple supermarkets and a raft of independents, plus overseas companies, our business and products won many awards. There came the realisation that we’d done what we came here for and it was, perhaps, time to move on. We sold the food business in 2023, which gave my husband and me the space and time to focus away from the commercial stresses of retail and back to the delights of creating things that would make others happy.