I’m a no-nonsense northerner who loves bright colours, expressive words and loud music. I’ve got a wild imagination, an obsession for angels and a natural desire to create. A desire that I suppressed for a very long time.

‘Afro mermaid’ was one of the first images I painted in 2015. After 2 decades of denying my urge to create, making a ton of excuses that I didn’t have enough time or talent. I was scared to even start, so frightened of failing that it seemed pointless to even begin. Until my youngest daughter developed an obsession with mermaids.

I’ll never forget the day my beautiful 3 year old told me that she couldn’t be a real mermaid because she didn’t have straight blond hair. My heart broke a little bit right there.

At this time I felt trapped in a corporate career and powerless to change it. Art became my therapy. I literally painted through my fears and tears. The bright images that had been hidden in my imagination for so long wanted to come out and play. I escaped into an explosion of colour.

Creativity became my medicine, my saviour.

Since that time I’ve created hundreds of paintings and digital images, 3 card ranges and numerous commissions and collaborations. My art (that I thought wasn’t good enough) is sold all over the world. I am now often known as the ‘Afro mermaid lady’ and when I hear this my heart expands a little bit.

But my biggest success doesn’t come from sales and figures. It comes from the feedback I receive. It comes from seeing my daughters’ confidence and knowing that they and girls just like them are celebrated. That they see their beauty reflected back to them and believe they can be anything they dream of.

• I see you
• You are beautiful
• You are unique
• You are recognised 

Creativity that embraces uniqueness, embodies beauty and empowers.

I create art that’s vibrant & positive, playful & powerful and celebrates diverse beauty.

To connect with me for commissions, creative collaborations & wholesale enquiries, email hello@jostevensoncreative.co.uk