Leah Ingram - the artist behind Fantailed Illustrations.

Gosh life has an incredible way of throwing some really tough curve balls at me. While I am not yet ready to share my full story I am okay to share that history seems to have repeated itself on some levels. I do understand that I have fallen prey to this pattern as I was not yet fully healed nor ready to heal enough to see things properly. As of late that has changed. Part of my healing is a name change for my art, a way for me to give it its own identity free from any constraints. So I present to you... Fantailed Illustrations. My love of birds and, in particular, fantails, is why I have chosen this name. 

And now I look forward to a future of healing and growth; continuing to build a wonderful community of artists and art appreciators. I do wish to thorouhgly thank each and every one of you who have continued to stand beside me through every storm. 

~

I have always had a love for art and found any form of creative outlet makes my heart sing. It is an escape I am truly thankful for and as I delve more into the world of watercolour I find myself swept up gently and taken on a restorative journey with each piece.

With my younger years marred with abuse, physical, psychological and emotional, I have a complexity in my every day life that can feel consuming; especially as a busy mum - CPTSD - I am finding painting to be an even more precious outlet for my rollercoaster emotions and overthinking. My head falls into a quiet, almost meditative state, allowing me to see, greet and feel my emotions without experiencing their explosiveness within. I find it softens them and I have more recently learnt that my art is far more important to my mental health and wellbeing than I had thought - art is my safe space.

I do find that when I look upon the natural world, or an art piece or stunning building I get the same sense of calm. I believe art is here to slow your mind, to gently invite you to pause and reflect on the colours, shapes and what they might mean for you. This has fueled me in my want to bring beautiful, intricate and bright paintings ladden with meaning to you. The small pockets of colour I find in my life, a notebook, a card... when my eye lands on them I get a small reminder to appreciate what I have and I do hope so much that my art can be just like this for you. 

I am so truly thankful for the peace I am finding within. I hope you can find your's too.