Alia

I help people discover the wellbeing benefits of creativity through mindful art workshops.  The focus is on the exploring techniques that calm the mind, everything is abstract so there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.  Sessions are suitable for beginners and those with experience. I encourage clients to leave perfectionism behind and simply enjoy the process of playing with watercolours, doodles and mandalas – although people love their finished pieces too! I discovered mindful art whilst in recovery from brain surgery, I passionately believe it helped me with mood, overwhelm, self-esteem, resilience and focus.  Mind Unwind combines my background of 25 years in education as a teacher and education adviser with my own lived experience.

Freelance writer | copyeditor | proofreader for the arts and creative industries – Trusted by publishers, brands, creative agencies, galleries, arts organisations, artists, museums, and cultural centres. I’m a skilled wordsmith who has supported clients with everything from 3-word straplines to 300,000-word books. Whether you’re facing a blank page, half-started draft, or ‘needs a final look’ document, I’ll help get your project publish-ready.

I am a painter and art educator living in Yateley, Hampshire. As a painter, I have exhibited in Hampshire, Reading, Margate, London and Edinburgh, including Women’s Society of Artists and ING Discerning Eye. Mostly working in oils, but also watercolour, pencil and printmaking, my paintings are about challenging stereotypes in representation of socially disadvantaged groups, and very often about motherhood. I teach painting and drawing regularly to small groups and one-to-one. I love to give people confidence to explore different mediums as well as their own creativity.