A dad from East Lancashire has shared his excitement after a local business was eager to sell his work in the shop.
Sid Collins, 25, has been creating ‘light and dark’ art with pan pastels and compressed coal for the last five years alongside his full time job as a form of self-expression.
The father-of-two struggles with depression and anxiety but creating artwork is his form of therapy, where he is able to open up about problems without actually having to talk about it.
Working full time in a recycling job takes up most of Sid’s days however he is dedicated to growing his career as an artist ,and now his work is for sale at the Imaginarium in Borough Road, Darwen, he’s one step closer to his dream.
Sid said: “Imaginarium messaged me about a month ago asking if they could sell my work in their shop.
"I couldn’t believe it, I was in disbelief because I suppose I thought no one would really like my work so those were my first thoughts, as well as excitement.”
Research from Shape Arts says the cost-of-living crisis has disproportionately impacted under-represented people in the creative industries - working-class artists in the North as well as marginalised communities, for example.
Speaking on this, Sid said: “I have to work full time to pay the bills at home and also fund my work as an artist.
"It means I have to balance it, especially in a cost-of-living crisis, because buying art equipment and delivery of things is expensive.
“But if anything, seeing how much the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis has affected the art industry, it just makes me more motivated and drives me to try and do this full time.”
Sid has always had an interest in drawing and in school focused a lot on art and music.
He spent his years “mainly depressed and anxious” but noticed that his work not only helps him but other people, as well.
He said: “My aim is if I can get one person to feel less bad with my art, then I’ve done my job.”
Speaking on his inspiration, he added: “I’m really inspired by my own life and the things I’ve experienced like with my mental health for example.
"Music also really inspires me and I use that as a way of communicating through my art.”
His family - his partner, 10-month-old daughter, and six-year-old son who loves drawing alongside his dad - also spur Sid on to achieve a successful career as an artist.
Offering advice to anyone in Lancashire who want to overcome the barriers and become an artist, Sid said: “You just have to do it.
"Just enjoy it and don’t take anything too seriously. You just have to love and enjoy what you do.”
Sid’s work can be seen at the Imaginarium as well as on his website lightanddarkart.com
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