Established Artist:

About

My name is Mandy McKenna. I discovered that using colour with my paintbrush, at a young age, was the beginning of my hand painted artwork for the future. Today, I add my floral artwork to many projects. Spending time on the Cornish coast, during my school holidays as a child, with my wonderful great aunt, a vibrant character and oil painter, was my Summer highlight.

Little did I know then, that my great aunt's inspiration, confidence and free spirit, enabled me to paint from the heart, with passion and free style, carrying me to where I am now. Happy moments I treasure, as she made me feel I could do anything! As a child, I struggled at school to follow instructions, sit for hours in a classroom, cope with dyslexia, to understand how to interpret long paragraphs of words, read and absorb the content, was hard at times. I liked picture books! I definitely became the target for the bullies unfortunately 

Years on, not feeling good enough actually stayed with me throughout my adult life. Self doubt is the grown up description but I handle it well now, and keep going in a positive way, that works for me.

I am proud of my artwork and what I have achieved! 

Thankfully, when I paint, that disappears, and I am back in the fields of poppies, wildflowers and coastal paths, and my days with my great aunt, her carpet bag of paint brushes, oils, pastels and pencils, exploring!

My camera now plays a big part as I enjoy photography, but I still paint from my imagination, rather then photo in front of me! My own style with a paintbrush, and other materials at hand, stones, sticks, seaweed, shells , flowers, was formed in my early days .

I live and work in West Sussex, with my husband, grown up children, who come and go, and my gorgeous little dog, all my greatest supporters! I create my textile designs, emerged from my floral artwork.

I run my pottery and art studio,for over 20 years, Firing Earth, this enabled me to have a gallery attached, to show my artwork and run art classes. I work from my home studio now, and I enjoy what I am achieving, growing my business 

Years progressed and artwork was suggested by customers for a textile range. With little experience in the textile world, as a self-taught artist, this has been a fun, hugely challenging and learning the process taking my artwork to print.

 I definitely knew early on, I would like to work with British, eco-friendly companies, always my ideal business choice. So I did it! 

Fabric designs and homeware products were manufactured and digitally printed from my original artwork, which I got ready to introduce and show at my first Trade Show - Top Draw, Olympia, London in January 2025 with the following collections 

*Lavender Fields

*Purplelicious

*Pink Paradise 

*Scrumptious in Teal/Lime

*Scrumptious in Purple/Pink

*Garden Bouquet

I learnt so many lessons at the trade show and from selling at smaller markets, craft fairs and music festivals, and have met my current, future customers and clients ✔️

What else do I do?

I enjoy l painting, pottery and donating artwork for fundraising for charities, especially live events. I am happy to find time, give back a painting talent I am lucky to have and enjoy, raising for good causes.

I meet lots of interesting people along the way, while feeding my other love, live music, dancing and camping and fundraising through my artwork What have I learnt?

Being different is okay. Being creative, inspiring others, carrying your ideas until they become real projects, is living. 

Below photo, meeting Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Feelings and many more, at Haslemere Fringe Festival and the signing of my painting for auction, for music charities 

Finding the way to make you happy, makes other people happy too!

Did you know I painted and donated this acrylic floral painting, to help raise money for Leukaemia UK at an event held at

The Dorchester Hotel, London

'Who's Cooking Dinner'

Celebrities joined together, enjoying gorgeous dinner cooked by celebrity chefs, and held a fundraising auction. 

This is the story of my painting, which now resides in France somewhere! 

Thankyou to the lovely Dame Julie Walters for visiting my studio and signing my picture before it went to London 

Finding the right product range, customers want to purchase is my challenge! 

Upcycling old style chairs, adding new fabric to excisting cushions makes my work sustainable and helps us to not send to land fill