This Lakshmi
How did you become an artist? What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
I've always considered myself an artist as heart, from as young as five it was always my passion. When I had my second child I took the steps to making this my everyday, realising that once having children and being able to do so much already, becoming an artist should be a walk in the park. I love that I get to draw for a living, something I never imagined I would be able to do, mostly it feels like I turn up to work to have fun! Obviously I have to actually work some days but it is always really enjoyable and I get to do incredible things, like this project with Bloodwise for example.
Can you share any details of how you created the artwork you have donated to us?
I worked on this series of typography for various products which is all handwritten with a brush and ink, I'm an old-fashioned artist, and everything I do starts by hand. My handwriting in brush is something I use a lot for a more bespoke touch which lends itself well to a lot of stationery.
What do you like about the products and why should people purchase them?
I love that they are so versatile, the words can have a different meaning from one person to the next and that the message can change for an individual on a day to day basis. For me, 'Always' is for my mum and her everlasting memory, but it can mean I'll 'always' have love, I'll 'always' try to help causes like this...
What is your personal connection to Bloodwise and how did you first become aware of us?
My mum was diagnosed with ALL at the end of October 2017 and she died shortly after in May 2018. She didn't have long, one moment she was strong, fit and healthy, working full time, the next a 'typical' cold turned into a visit to A&E and then cancer. It was in her short phase of treatment that we became aware of Bloodwise and all that they do, treatment was scary and overwhelming at times, my mum wasn't able to beat cancer, and in my grief I sought out other people's journeys as a source of comfort. Although the treatment didn't work for mum, I wanted to know there were success stories out there and Bloodwise shines a light on this as well as giving us hope there may one day be a cure.
Laxmi Hussain
+44 (0)7595 512 155
@thislakshmi