When I heard about the Every Woman Biennial (EWB) I was very excited by its ethos and spirit. I had not known how much I was aching for such a project! Its challenging of the norms of the art world through non-binary inclusivity, prioritising of women artists of all ages, and the real sense of community and encouragement among the curators and participants was a real first.

Inspired, I submitted work to be considered for selection. Not only did Eddy Grattan-Bellew, the London curator, select two paintings to be included, s/he was also very enthusiastic about my work. It’s no exaggeration to say I felt loved and appreciated from the outset. This feeling only increased when I spent an hour chatting with C. Finlay, the founder of EWB, and Ruby, who had helped curate the show in the Copeland Gallery, Peckham. All very uplifting.

To top it all, one of my paintings, The Birthday Cake, sold. I am just beginning to work more seriously as an artist again, after reducing my full-time role as an academic at Oxford Brookes University last year in order to do so. To have my work speak to a stranger enough that they want to buy it is hugely motivational – a gift to nourish my self-belief.  Watch this space …