Breathing Through Art: My Journey to Becoming Hue The Artist

If you and I were sitting down over a coffee right now, I’d probably laugh and say, “Can you believe I’m co-founder of an art gallery?” Because honestly, I never imagined I’d be here — not last year, not last decade, not ever. Life has a funny way of aligning when you follow your heart.

Creativity has always been part of me, but it’s only recently that I’ve given myself permission to really dive in — the hands-on, messy, materials-all-over-the-floor, paint-on-my-clothes kind of creating. And let me tell you, it’s liberating. There’s something so healing in letting go of perfection, enjoying the process, and just seeing where the work takes me. With art, I’m unlearning the need to have everything neat and polished, and in doing so I’m starting to see even more beauty in my world.

I never set out to turn my art into a business. For me, creating was about survival — about teaching myself how to breathe again when life felt overwhelming. Art became my self-care, my way of reclaiming identity, of finding myself again when the busyness of life had blurred the edges. But I soon realised I had to make real space for it. Turning my art into a business wasn’t about chasing sales, it was about protecting time to create. Because if I didn’t, I’d lose the very thing that kept me grounded. And through that decision, something beautiful unfolded.

Last year, alongside my amazing co-founders Sean and Marie Ferguson, we opened Creative Hearts Co. Art Gallery & Creativity Hub in Brookwater. I still pinch myself every time I walk through the doors. A year ago, the thought of running a physical art gallery — not just for my own work but for the community — wasn’t even on my radar. But when you’re passionate about something bigger than yourself, doors open, people show up, and suddenly you find yourself exactly where you’re meant to be. And now here I am, standing as the Feature Artist this month for our Seeds of Change exhibition, in a gallery I helped bring to life with two people who share the same heart for giving back. It feels surreal.

My art is deeply personal — a mix of photography, paint, texture, and storytelling. It’s where I explore identity, mental health, and what it means to slow down and breathe again. As women, especially in our 40s, 50s and 60s, so many of us are reclaiming our identity and finally stepping into our power. For me, mixed media art has become that mirror — reminding me that who we are is not fixed, that it’s okay to evolve, to grow, to be messy, and to create a life that feels real.

And what makes it even more special is knowing that everything I do through Hue The Artist and Creative Hearts Co. comes back to giving — in time, in talent, in energy, in opportunities. I know that when I flourish, my community flourishes too. That’s what “art with purpose” means to me: creating something beautiful while knowing it can ripple outwards and make a difference.

This exhibition also marks something new for me — the launch of my private commissions in Queensland and beyond. I resisted for such a long time, but now feels right. I’m ready. These are one-of-a-kind mixed media artworks created in collaboration with you, celebrating your story, your journey, your identity. I’ll share more about that in my next blog, but for now I’m just soaking in the joy of being able to share my art — and my heart — with you.

So if you’re local to Brookwater (or anywhere in South East Queensland), I’d love for you to come see the exhibition at Creative Hearts Co. It’s on until Saturday 27th September 2025. There is artwork from 20+ other artists on display also. And if you’ve ever felt the pull to reclaim your identity, to breathe again, or to surround yourself with art that tells a story with purpose, maybe you’ll find a piece here that speaks to you.

With gratitude,

Hue xoxo