Art for Wellbeing at Dollarsandart

Art has always been at the heart of everything I do at Dollarsandart since diving into art as an unexpected salvation in 2010 after a rather challenging couple of years as the Dubai fairytale turned on its head - as life does, allow me to provide some context....

LOST! Walls stripped bare, T.V thrown away — then the Art started

You don't have to be great to start. You just have to start. I know first-hand that creativity isn't about being an artist. Before I discovered art, I was a Civil Engineer — one selling solutions, some involving sand for mega projects to Engineers on the mega projects in Dubai during the boom, boom — Sheikh the room. 

Growth in the form of Bamboo — this simple thing gave me hope at the time, circa 2011

In 2009 & 2010, during a particularly difficult period in my life, I picked up art as a cry for help, to try and make sense of things! I wasn't trained, I was lonely in such a fast-moving and transient society, felt like my Hero had gone to zero. Kept my sense of humour (Dad joke warning) so I simply started creating and the pieces started falling into place.

Not even my leather chairs & kettle were spared from the dollarshot (2011)

My shift of life focus came from a really challenging time where Art became my salvation behind closed doors, leading to bursting out into the Art scene, completely uninvited — like sneaking into the all too often soulless Corporate Hospitality.

This vid says it all, taken slap bang in the middle of my first 28-day solo exhibition back in 2013 — I was exhausted as my energy and enthusiasm got the better of me..... 

It was a cry for help but one that was thankfully heard as The Money Collection, largely collage-based outbursts all centred around the $ sign, was formed then performed: a painting became a title, the title became several that formed the collection, then came the exhibition...

I hadn't realised it at the time but what I went through was an early introduction into a form of therapy — self-imposed Art for healing, a form of therapy if you will — it did wonders for me — something I could not only experiment with but control! It was cathartic, it was getting stuff off my chest — it was, and still is, Art for Wellbeing.

So warts & all, I shared my story and then some — then over time other peoples', some instantly recognisable, others less so, but both played their part in my quest to be 'accepted' by the Art world, whoever that is!

Letting go of that need for Art world acceptance — some 6 years later into the self-serving, egotistical, 'Look who I've got to sign a couple of $ bills' journey of Art...

Whilst still giving a nod to some of the unsung foot soldiers of society, exploring both sides of the coin, if you will...

I was drawn towards shifting from ME to WE — from sponsoring golf days and sporting events to rolling my sleeves up for some cracking, authentic charitable causes!

This led to my first community engagement programme at H.M.P Berwyn, Wrexham, where I realised the value of self-worth applies to others as well as myself. The Dance of Life collection was born (2019) — a pivotal epiphany from 'ME'.....

Over time, I discovered that making art gave me something incredibly valuable: a space to think, to focus, to express myself and, importantly, to feel that I was creating something of my own. That experience ultimately led to the creation of Dollarsandart — my 'ME'. Today, I'm continuing to practise but am equally passionate about helping others discover what creativity might offer them too.

The 'WE'.....

Art from the Heart

Now that my own oxygen mask was on I could help others — granted my own body of works continues, my legacy if you will, but it's at least enabled me to harness my talents and share with others the skills I have learned throughout my career. Working within the prison community, I witnessed first-hand how creative expression can unlock self-worth, rebuild confidence, and offer a pathway to healing that words alone cannot provide.

Art & wellbeing — who knew?

This experience shifted my entire perspective — from 'ME' to 'WE' — and inspired me to harness my energy, enthusiasm and limited artistic talents not just for commercial success, but for the wellbeing of others. Leveraging the Engage : Create : Facilitate model I've been putting into practice for a decade, this Create : Express : Breathe and well, just BE works!

Art for wellbeing at Dollarsandart is born from that belief. We know that creativity is not a luxury — it is a lifeline.

Whether you are processing difficult emotions, seeking a moment of calm, or simply looking to reconnect with yourself, art offers a safe and powerful space to do so.

Art from the Heart is about putting creativity into the hands of people who may never have considered themselves creative.

It isn't about producing a perfect painting.

It isn't about artistic ability or getting things "right" — it's about having a go. A pencil, a paintbrush, a photograph, a piece of found nature, an old object, a colour or simply a blank piece of paper can become the starting point for something meaningful.

Sometimes we can express something through an image that is difficult to put into words. Sometimes we simply need something to concentrate on, and sometimes making something with our hands can remind us that we are still capable of learning, changing and creating something new. Through my workshops, programmes, and community initiatives, we are committed to making the healing power of art accessible to everyone — regardless of background, experience, or circumstance.

I'm proud to serve as a Technical Arts Advisor for the Royal British Legion, supporting veterans and their families through the healing power of creative expression with The Hero's Journey and Self-Determination Theory.

It's taught me that not all Veterans are in their 60s, 70s and 80s — some are in their late teens and early 20s. Age is just a number!

Given I was unable to serve in the Armed Forces due to an epileptic fit in my teens, I put my heart & soul into the Army Cadets — an outlet for all my energy...and mouth....

Such a fantastic time that gave me a real focus, pretty much taking me out of my teens and ready for my 20s....

And nearly 40 years later, supporting the Royal British Legion's Veterans community is a real honour.

Creativity, Recovery and Self-Determination

Little did I know that during my first decade in the Arts I went through a form of healing — of Art therapy, if you will — and still do to this day! Now, my work supporting the Royal British Legion's Arts Recovery Pathway has strengthened my belief in the importance of giving people the opportunity to explore creativity on their own terms.

The Art for Wellbeing and recovery programme is underpinned by The Hero's Journey and by Self-Determination Theory, which recognises three fundamental psychological needs:

COMPETENCE — I can do this.

Creative activities provide opportunities to learn, experiment and experience achievement — often rebuilding confidence one small step at a time.

AUTONOMY — I choose this.

There is no single right way to create. Participants choose their materials, subject, colours, pace and what they wish to share.

RELATEDNESS — I belong.

Creating alongside other people can provide connection and conversation without requiring anyone to explain everything they're experiencing.

🖌️ From "I can't do art" to "I wonder what I can do?"

With Best of British original (2019) with my grounding sidekick Bulldog Bob

That's the change I'm interested in.

Not whether someone can draw.

Not whether the finished artwork is technically brilliant.

But whether they were willing to try.

Because sometimes the biggest creative breakthrough isn't what's on the paper.

Hosting community workshops at the delightful Coleg Cambria, Mold 2019

It's the moment someone decides to pick up the pencil, paintbrush, notepad, biro, a feather or some leather — whatever - even humour, where appropriate....

My message is simple:

You don't have to be great to start.
You don't have to call yourself an artist.
You don't have to know what you're doing.

Just start — believe me it helps, as I still struggle to draw curtains, let alone my pension which I lost due to financial advice a couple of decades ago, but hey, that's life!

Art from the Heart

Creativity • Connection • Confidence • Recovery

Travel well my friends, keep following your dream...

My first signed $1 bill to my Mum: 28.8.94, before my Master's year in California