Barnsley resident, Karen Kenworthy, has began using her love of art to cope with her mental illness.
Mrs Kenworthy suffers from borderline personality disorder (BPD) – an impulsive mental disorder that affects an individual’s mood and social functions.
It is recognised as one of ten personality disorders and affects roughly 2% of people in the UK.
She says: “It triggers that happiness feeling and it really calms my mind.
“Painting reduces my stress, and it engages your mind and body – you are just focused on what is in front of you.
“For a long-time, I did not really know who I was or who I always have been.
“It was not until I picked up a pencil that I realised what my calling was.”
The 57-year-old was diagnosed with BPD in 2021 and reached out to Creative Recovery, a mental health recovery charity, based in Barnsley.
The charity aims to support those who suffers from mental health conditions through nurturing their natural creative sides.
She added: “I want to inspire others with mental health to realise they could be the next Banksy.
“Art has been the most important thing in adapting to my diagnosis and it fully engages my mind, body and spirit.”
Since her diagnosis, Karen now owns her own studio where she creates her pieces of art that she sells.
Mrs Kenworthy is hoping to be featured in Cooper Art Exhibition and Look North.
Keith Kenworthy, 46, shares his pride at how far his wife has come.
“At the beginning it was very difficult, but I did a lot of research and it got easier for me.
“Communication is key with Karen, and it is always important that if I have a missed call or message that I get back to her as soon as possible.
“I am very proud of her, and I think it is fantastic that she has something that she can now focus all her time on.”
The two have been married since last year.
For more information about Creative Recovery, click here.