At primary school my artwork was often displayed around the school. In year 7, I was told I HAD to do GCSE art. I had a talent and luckily a passion too.

What I lacked as a 16-year-old was confidence; experimenting, researching and developing. I didn't push the boundaries. 

Going into A-level Art has taught me to be brave; art is about expressing myself and to draw from my personal experiences, from my personality.

I chose my A-level subjects (art, design technology and maths) as I wanted to venture into architecture, but my research lead me to realise that this was not the right path for me, unnerved by the heavy science/maths side.

When looking at universities, I knew I wanted to do a creative course. The open day piqued my interest in interior design; I saw the course as the perfect balance for my passion for art and my interest in architecture. 

This photo was taken at the studio of an amazing artist, Charmaine Chanakira, whose free style, use of colours and bold prints I love and admire. She uses acrylic paint, oil pastels, and pen, creating unique pieces with colour, shape, and texture. Each time I look at a piece, I see something new - inspirational!