subject: Inspirational Artist Uses Recycled Art Materials [print this page] An inspirational young woman has overcome the murder of her mother and sister to begin exhibiting as an artist.
Josie Russell, who was seriously injured in the fatal attack, will begin displaying her work in a show in Anglesey after gaining a degree in graphic design from Bangor University and a national diploma in art and design.
The artist's first ever exhibition at National Trust property Plas Newydd will feature textile art-work of Welsh landscapes which have been made from recycled art materials and art supplies.
Josie wrote on her website: "My deep-rooted passion for art and design began when I was very young, and carries on to the present day.
"I feel a deep connection with the countryside, so perhaps it is no surprise that the unspoilt mountains, flora and fauna of North Wales form the present basis for most of my creative work."
The 23-year-old has already started selling her pictures for up to 200 at arts and crafts fairs and through her website.
"I want to try and experiment a lot more, and get out into the mountains and take a lot of photographs for my work It's very exciting and I've been quite surprised that I've already sold three pictures, and I only put them up on Friday," she stated.
Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man discovered he had an amazing talent for art after recovering from major surgery to save his life from an abnormal blood vessel in his brain, reports the Daily Mail.
Alan Brown admitted that he was hopeless at art before the operation but realised he had a passion for art when a nurse encouraged him to start drawing during his rehabilitation process.
The former double glazer's new found skill was so impressive that he decided to pursue his passion and take recognised qualifications in order to begin a career as an artist.
He told the newspaper; "I enrolled on an art course. The tutor praised my work and told me I should take my art A-level. I ended up passing not only that but an art foundation course, and I also completed an art degree at Worcester University."
Alan now works both as an art restorer and artist where he gets the opportunity to paint in his own gallery for hours on end.
"I create pictures all the time, and my head is full of images. I once lived a life without any art - and now I can't get enough," he told the Mail.
Sometimes people can recover from brain surgery to find they have new skills or even different accents and languages.
