“We were put here on Earth to act as agents of the infinite, to bring into existence that which is not yet, but which will be through us“
Steven Pressfield
I’m Wendy Dashwood, a Visual Watercolour Artist. I was born and grew up in Essex, spending my teenage years living opposite a windmill. I discovered early on that life can be tough, confusing, and sometimes unfair — but I firmly believe that art has the power to help us bounce back, despite life’s challenges. Art is my superpower and has been there for me even in some of the darkest days of my life over recent years. I am inspired by history, sculpture, patterns and stained glass, which I capture through my mindful watercolour experiments.
Early Beginnings
For the first few years of my life, I often felt out of place and a bit of a misfit, as though I didn’t quite belong. My mum and I didn’t bond very well either, and at school, I was treated as unteachable and consigned to the Dunce class. I grew up feeling like a factory reject — undeserving of love, recognition, or reward. Yet deep down, I also carried a strong sense of injustice, a question of why life had to be this way.
Discovering Art
Everything changed when I was seven and the family moved. My new form teacher (hooray!) was an art teacher, and his classroom became my safe space. There, I discovered the joy of paints, glue, glitter, and clay. For the first time, I felt relaxed, at peace, and able to be myself without criticism or judgment. But like many of my generation, I was told art wasn’t a good career move. Instead, I got a job in an office, and there I stayed for decades.
Along the way, I trained in Reiki and Indian Head Massage. Then I took a break from office life and became a Life Coach for seven years. I am also trained in NLP, the Sedona Method and EFT. But, through it all, art would occasionally whisper to me, waiting in the wings for its opportunity. You can read more about my training Credentials and Certifications here.
Rediscovering Art
Forty years later, during a time of work-related stress, a friend encouraged me to open a forgotten box of paints. As soon as I breathed in the familiar aroma, I was transported back to those magical art lessons of my childhood. As I painted, I realised I hadn’t been fretting or dwelling on my worries. Since then, my kitchen table has become my studio, but also my sanctuary and happy place. Art is my lifeline. It centres me, restores me, and grounds me in a way nothing else can.
Competitions
Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year – Stowe 2016 – I was given a Wildcard Entry
SAA Artist of the Year 2020 Florence Street Corner reached the final stages of the judging and was given a commendation
Exhibitions
- SAA Postcard Exhibition to Celebrate the End of Word War 1 – 2018
- Salon Des Refusee – Margate 2019
- Hyde Hall Art Exhibition – 2019
Today, my mission is simple: to share my secret weapon to bounce back from life’s setbacks through the transformational power of mindful Art for those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or stressed out by life — I want people to rediscover a childlike joy, nourish their spirit, and experience the grounding, healing power of art. For me, art isn’t just about mixing up paints, sketching or experimenting — it’s an antidote, and a path to living a meaningful, joyful, resilient life.
Wendy x
You can also find me sharing stories and new works on Instagram and YouTube