TURTLE SWEATSHIRT

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:

Michelle is a disabled artist from Hastings, UK. She’s a Kiwi, grew up in Australia, worked in accounting, travelled the world, and then settled in the UK with her husband & step-sons. She became disabled in the last 10 years from a chronic illness called Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). It makes her body extra fragile and not function properly. She has an Ileostomy, CSF Leak that comes out her nose, Autonomic Dysfunction, and MCAS among other things. She is an ambulatory wheelchair user. She has always loved art and drawing, but took up painting as a distraction from her illness in 2021. She loves animals, art and the outdoors, but she’s mostly homebound. She surfed with a green sea turtle in Australia in her former life which is what inspired this piece of work. She always tries to be kind, patient and compassionate in every aspect of life.

Follow Michelle on Instagram: @bower_bird_of_hastings