My Story: How I went from law to running a creative business.

May 10
7 min read

Introduction: A Life Shaped by Creativity

I have always been drawn to making things. As a child, I filled my days with drawing, painting, dancing, and dreaming. I went to a Steiner School, where creativity was part of every lesson. Art was not just a subject—it was how I made sense of the world.

But life is not always a straight path. I did not become an artist straight away. I studied law, worked in insurance, and spent years trying to find where I truly belonged. It took time, loss, and a quiet return to sketching in the evenings for me to reconnect with the creative joy I had known as a child.

This is the story of how I found my way back to art, and how I built a life and business around it. It is about listening to your inner voice, even when the world tells you to take a different road.

A Creative Start

irene as a kid at the start of her creative journey — Me as a kid

I grew up in a home where creativity was encouraged. For twelve years, I went to a Steiner School, which was a very creative type of education. It shaped me in many ways. We painted, drew, danced, worked with wood and metal, and explored a whole range of artistic subjects. I loved it all. These creative activities were not just classes to me—they felt like home. I could lose myself in a painting or in the rhythm of a dance. It was a joy that I carried quietly, but deeply.

When school finished, I found myself unsure of what to do next. I knew I wanted to continue with something creative. I applied for fashion and graphic design courses. At the time, I liked the idea of doing something applied, something practical. But both applications were rejected, and I was told I should apply for fine art instead. That came as a surprise. I hadn’t considered fine art seriously.

Looking back now, I think I might have loved studying illustration, but I did not even know that was an option. Fine art sounded like a struggle. I held this strong belief—probably absorbed from the world around me—that becoming an artist meant choosing a difficult life. One filled with financial instability and hardship. That belief kept me from going down that path, even though I loved making art.

The truth is, I probably would not have thrived in fashion or graphic design either. I’m not particularly detail-oriented or precise. I enjoy fashion in a personal way—as self-expression—but in hindsight I don't think I would have fitted into the fashion world. So I changed direction completely.

A Different Path: Studying Law

I decided to study law. I had always been passionate about social justice. I wanted to understand how the world worked, how decisions were made, and how I could be part of making things better. Law felt like a way to do that. I was also quite politically engaged and saw law as a tool for change.

Woman concentrating while writing at a table with a red patterned cloth, a cup, and papers. She is wearing a red floral dress.

I completed my law degree, though it did not come easily to me. I was never a very academic person. Reading long texts, preparing for exams—it was all a bit of a struggle. Still, I managed it. And after I finished, I went travelling. That year of travel was transformative in so many ways. Being by myself for a long period of time and travelling solo as a women helped me grow my confidence and changed me as a person! I can probably write

During that time, I also met my partner. When I returned home, I made the decision to move to the UK so we could be together. I was also still finishing my master’s degree in international law and human rights.

Working in Insurance

Once in the UK, I worked a few jobs in cafés and pubs before landing a position in the finance industry. I ended up working in insurance and stayed in that field for almost a decade. I worked hard, travelled internationally, and met lots of interesting people. In many ways, it was an exciting time. I even enjoyed some parts of the corporate world. There was a rhythm to it, a sense of purpose.

But deep down, I always felt like an outsider. I never quite fit in. While others thrived in spreadsheets and boardrooms, I found myself quietly craving something else. Something more expressive. Something more me.

Returning to Art- running a creative business.

When my grandmother passed away in 2018, it was a very hard time. She had been an artist herself and left behind many of her art materials. I brought them home, and for a while they sat untouched on my kitchen table.

One day, I looked at them and something just clicked. I picked up a brush and made a small watercolour painting. It was not a masterpiece, but it felt good. It brought me comfort. It brought me closer to her. And it reawakened something in me. From that moment on, I began making art again. At first, it was just for me. I kept a tiny sketchbook next to the sofa and often picked up a ballpoint pen to make a little drawing. I did this most days. Slowly, I got better. More than that, it became a habit, a joy. It made me feel grounded and happy.

Teaching Art in a Pub

Woman in a blue dress and colorful headscarf holds flamingo painting, smiling, near orange lilies under a tree in a garden setting.

The more I painted, the more I felt the urge to share that joy. So I decided to start teaching. I spoke to a local pub, and they let me use a room upstairs for free. On Monday evenings after work, I began teaching art classes there. At first, just a few friends came along. But word spread, and soon I was selling tickets. The classes grew, little by little.

Then, in the summer of 2019, I took the leap. I left my corporate job to focus on running a creative business full-time. It was a huge decision. I had saved a bit of money and had some security, but I was nervous. I wrote a business plan—but looking back, it was incredibly simple. I was learning everything from scratch.

Still, I was excited. And things were starting to build momentum. More people were signing up for classes, and I was starting to feel like this could really work.

The Pandemic and the Shift Online

And then COVID-19 arrived.

Just a few months after I left my job, the world shut down. I could no longer teach in person. It was a scary time. But I quickly adapted. I moved everything online and began teaching seven or eight classes a week over Zoom. Drawing, painting, sketchbooking—short, accessible classes that people could join from home.

To my surprise, the online format worked really well. My community began to grow. More people discovered me on Instagram and YouTube. I reached people all over the world. In a time when many of us felt isolated, these creative sessions became a source of comfort—for me and for others.

Building Courses and Hosting Events

Over time, I created a series of online courses. I now offer ten different ones (and more to come), covering everything from pet portraits to charcoal drawing, sketchbooking to colour palettes. Each one is designed to be welcoming and accessible.

I also began hosting corporate events. Companies invited me to lead team-building sessions or creative workshops for their staff. It felt like such a contrast to the work I used to do in insurance—but it was also deeply satisfying to bring creativity into those spaces.

I was also invited to speak about my journey. I spoke about how I started my business, how I had to learn about marketing and technology on the go, and how I built something from the ground up with no formal art education.

Creating a Creative Community

Eventually, I realised that teaching so many live classes every week was not sustainable. It was lovely, but exhausting. As the world started opening up again, I wanted a better balance. That is when I launched my creative membership.

A collage of 24 vibrant watercolor paintings, each depicting animals, landscapes, or objects. Artists' hands are shown working on some pieces. — art from my community

Now, people can join my online community and take part in weekly live sessions, follow video tutorials, and join in other creative activities. We also have a monthly art material giveaway. It has become such a lovely, warm, and supportive space. I am so proud of the community we have built together.

Teaching In-Person Again

Around this time, I also moved from London to Cambridge and found a beautiful studio space. I began teaching in-person classes again, this time in my own studio. I also started working with local charities and community groups, offering classes that were mindful and inclusive.

It feels like my creative journey has come full circle—from childhood dance and painting classes to now teaching others and encouraging them to explore their own creativity.

What I Believe

I often remind my students that I am a self-taught artist. I did not go to art school. I was not always good at drawing. I learned over time, through daily practice and by allowing myself to explore without pressure.

And that is what I want to share with others. I truly believe that anyone can learn to draw and paint. It is not about being born with talent. It is about having a few helpful techniques, a bit of structure, and a kind and encouraging environment. Art is not just about making something beautiful. It is about feeling good. It is about connecting to yourself. It is about play, curiosity, and growth. And that is what I try to offer through Makings and Musings.

Looking Ahead

The journey is still ongoing. There is always more to learn, more to create, more to share. I continue to grow as an artist and as a teacher. And I continue to build a space where others feel welcome to explore their own creativity.

This path—from creative child to legal student, from corporate worker to full-time artist—has not been straight. But it has been honest. And it has been full of learning, joy, and connection.

If you have ever thought about drawing or painting, I hope my story encourages you to give it a go. You do not need to be perfect. You just need to start. One sketch, one brushstroke at a time.