About Me

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About me

Hello

You are welcome!

Let me tell you a bit about me. I'm Fran, an artist, art therapist and adventurer.

I was born in 1964 in Hemel Hempstead, U.K. Though this is technically where my 'roots' are it never felt like that for me.

I have always been an artist, it is crucial for me to create. I remember when I was young, my Mum telling me that I had imagination, I didn't know what imagination was, but I knew it was a long, proud sounding word, and I HAD it!

I did a BA Hons (and got a 1st) in art and psychology, it was a time of incredible awakening for me and I fell massively in love with my chosen subjects. I was then faced with a dilemma, which of these royal roads to follow? Then a blessed angel told me about art therapy and I could marry my two loves, not have to choose between them!

And so a happy career was born. I worked in London where I lived for seven years and married my lovely husband Matt.

I have run lots of art groups for mental health groups, people with HIV, women from prisons and lots more. It is one of my abiding joys to see someone grow in confidence and delight as they discover their creative self. I feel so proud to have a part in that.

The busy city life was starting to wear me down and I longed for more space, in 2001 we moved to the beautiful Lake District, to a grand little town called Ulverston. We settled happily here and were made very welcome, having lots of merry nights singing with friends and happy days tramping the hills.

Then several things converged to bring about change. I was working with children in the looked after system and whilst I loved the work with them I was getting increasingly frustrated with the 'system'. Two beautiful friends died around this time, they were both our age. It profoundly shook me and reminded me that life is not forever and that it is vital to live with courage and authenticity. The third big catalyst was coming to terms with not having children. This has been a long and challenging journey but I had got to the point of wanting to change the focus. Instead of looking mournfully at what isn't, I wanted to really focus on what IS. I realised that we were very lucky in having what a lot of people don't have, and that is freedom.

So Matt and I took a deep breath and jumped, we rented out the house, had a big old party and went travelling for two years. The first year in the U.S. and Mexico and the second year in France in a van. But that is a long story, go here if you want to read our blog of our adventures.

So, here I am back in Ulverston, learning about business, the wondrous web world and getting ready to go travelling again, (yes, we have been bitten by that bug!) We are off in August to the States, Mexico, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia. I'll be telling you all about it!

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