Artist in conversation: Pixie Belle
“Every creative mind teeters between self-destruction and re-creation”
Pixie Belle is an artist who has found solace in the world of art. Her journey through life, marked by many twists and turns, reflects in her creations that serve as a safe haven for her thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Her work is not merely an act of creativity, but a bold statement against the harsh realities of the world. Behind the vibrant colors and intricate designs lie stories of resilience and unyielding spirit, inspired by her own experiences of trauma and abuse during her childhood and early adulthood.
Living with multiple mental health diagnoses, Pixie Belle's artwork serves as a powerful medium to navigate her daily challenges. Her creations are a testament to her strength - a visual representation of her refusal to let the darkness overshadow her light.
Despite the monsters that threatened her peace, Pixie Belle has never let them extinguish the flame within her. Her work speaks volumes about her indomitable spirit, her unrelenting determination to rise above adversity. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she has used her art to redefine her narrative and take control of her story.
Pixie Belle's art is a celebration of resilience, a testament to the power of hope, and a beacon of light for those navigating their own dark times. Her journey, reflected in every brushstroke, is a reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances may be, the light within us can never be extinguished.
Through her art, Pixie Belle invites viewers to join her on this journey, encouraging them to find their own light, rise from their ashes, and fly again.
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What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I've always been very creating and found such joy and pleasure in being able to construct my own gifts and design cards… I have been blessed with having an imagination that runs wild and unbridled and have discovered such immense joy, satisfaction and solace by expressing my inner most thoughts and feelings through the power of drawing and sharing quotes and emotive messages within the image and frame I've created, almost like looking through the window of my soul…I want to be able to enrapture and enchant the viewers so they feel able to literally step into the picture frame and drink in the sentiments I'm portraying… I firmly believe in being my own self and want to portray unique illustrations rather than follow someone else's rules and tried and tested formulae… I've always believed in individuality and that has always been one of my founding principles from a very young age…
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I'm very drawn to mental health artwork as I suffered a very traumatic and abusive childhood and half of my adulthood… One of my aims is to continue to raise further awareness and prompt conversations so people, both young and old, can interpret my artwork in ways that they can relate to and feel comfortable with… I had nobody to talk to or confide in, so even if one person can find and draw comfort from what they see, then I view that as a success and hopefully will create a domino effect within society…
How do you navigate the balance between self-destruction and re-creation as a way towards conscious Happiness?
In times of distress or when I'm having a mental health episode, I can be at my creative best… It unleashes an amazing array of intrinsically, complex thoughts and ideas, but these times can then lead to creating happiness because I've fulfilled the remit at the back of my mind… Every creative mind teeters between self-destruction and re-creation…
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
I think that my first few sketches were very challenging… I hadn't drawn for many years, after completing my Art and Design GCSE… I had no support or encouragement to cultivate my artistic abilities and even my art teacher didn't enthuse over my unique application to the subject matter as everyone was expected to follow rules and guidelines, but I always felt like I couldn't be true to myself if I didn't follow the journey that my imagination wanted to take me on… I stuck to my resolve of creating what I believed in so that I could fuel my passion and drive and I certainly don't regret following my beliefs…
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
I do look at other artist's work on social media, but I have never wanted to follow the crowd and produce artwork that I don't believe in as I'm certain that there wouldn't be that raw emotion and feelings of intensity if I'm not drawing from the heart… I want others to feel that fire and passion within me rather than observe and witness apathy and indifference…
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I think that feedback is very important if we are to grow as a person and an artist… I certainly can't ignore people's thoughts and opinions, but it's also equally important and vital that we don't let ourselves get weighed down by criticism and the burden of expectation… I still hold dear the fact that it's really good and very important to create our own vision rather than try to produce something that doesn't interest us or clutch at our hearts and minds…
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I stay motivated and inspired because I love going on a weird and wonderful creative journey with my imagination!!! I love exploring new ideas, which means I often end up with a completely different drawing to the one I'd originally thought of… Often this can galvanise other ideas that then collide and bounce off each other to create intense sparks and a kaleidoscope of colour!!! Sometimes creative blocks can actually be really positive, so I can research other avenues within the same area and perhaps a little breather is necessary to ensure that I continue to produce and design visions that capture my mind, which in turn will hopefully be portrayed to the public…
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I'm genuinely really excited by the journey I've already been on with The Holy Art Gallery!!! I feel like I can truly be myself and produce artwork that fits both their ethos and my own beliefs and standards Hopefully this will continue to develop in the future!!!
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My ultimate ambition is to gain further recognition and credits within the art world… I've already been on an unexpected yet exciting journey so far so cannot wait for the twists and turns and ups and downs that undoubtedly lie ahead!!! One of my goals is to have a world-wide mental health artwork exhibition… This area has really captured my imagination and I'm only just beginning… I appreciate that this will take lots of hard work, time and dedication but I have this fire within me that burns so bright and strong, that I would do myself a massive disservice if I didn't continue along this crazy and exciting road that I'm already on!!! I've also just started to implement a very expressive and new form of art for me, by creating visual art reels… I danced as a child and gained my gold medals in both ballroom and Latin so I'm really enthusiastic to produce some fantastic and wonderful visual art films and screen them on billboards around the world!!!