Meet Mandy McKenna
I discovered, that using colour with my paintbrush, at a very young age, was the beginning of my hand painted botanical and floral artwork for the future. Today, I add my floral artwork to many projects. From new projects to painting excisting items, that need a floral touch!
An experienced self taught painter, for over 40 years especially with floral patterns, to enhance and transform spaces.
Discover now, the luxurious velvets to soft linen fabrics,add style to interior rooms, and showerproof fabric for outdoor garden patio seating add functionality with pretty floral scatter cushions. Artwork inspired from the flowers that grow in British gardens, bring us natures incredible carpet, the perfect colour wheel in the garden, our natural repeat patterns. Florals soften our emotional needs, encourage warmth and add passion.
Collections that capture flowers that grow freely, our wildflowers and garden flowers, bringing us bees, our amazing pollinators, essential to our gardens and food sources which keep us healthy.
How my journey started!
Spending time on the Cornish coast, during my school holidays, as a child, along side 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 to be creative, enabled me to paint from the heart, with passion and free style, carrying me to where I am today, a happy Artist! Fond moments I treasure, she made me feel I could achieve anything!
As a child, I struggled at school to follow instructions and sitting for hours in a classroom, understanding my dyslexia and how to interprete long paragraphs of words, read and absorb the content. I much preferred picture books and painting.
Self doubt is the grown up description, which I have carried through life and now I have learnt to handle it, and keep going in a positive way, that works for me.
Proud of my artwork and achievements as an artist, designer, consultant, teacher, mother and wife. When I paint, self doubt disappears, and I am back in the fields of poppies, wildflowers and coastal paths, my days with my great aunt, her carpet bag of paint brushes, oils, pastels and pencils, exploring the Cornish coves! Now my camera plays a big part in my creative day, as I enjoy photography, but I still paint from my imagination, rather then a photo.
Painting, creating pottery and teaching classes to all ages has always been rewarding. I donated several pieces of artwork to help fundraise for charities, especially at live events. I find time, give back a painting talent I am lucky to have, raising funds for good causes.
Here is one moment I would like to share with you. I painted and donated an acrylic floral painting, to raise money for Leukaemia UK the event held at The Dorchester Hotel, London called 'Who's Cooking Dinner' an evening of celebrities joined together, enjoyed a gorgeous dinner cooked by celebrity chefs, with a fundraising auction. My painting sold and now resides in France. Thanks to Dame Julie Walters for visiting my studio and signing my picture before it went to London
West Sussex, is home with my husband, adult children, little dog, and they are my greatest supporters. I run my pottery and art studio, Firing Earth, now for over 20 years which started in Surrey, now from my home studio, in West Sussex.
Fabric designs and homeware products are manufactured and digitally printed from my original art, eco- friendly products and in 2025, I launched my first Trade Show - Top Draw, Olympia, London in January Lavender Fields, Purplelicious, Pink Paradise, Scrumptious in Teal/Lime, Scrumptious in Purple/Pink, Garden Bouquet Collections
Being creative, inspiring others, carrying your ideas until they become a real project, is living.
Contact Details:-
Tel.07958 404969
Email - info@firingearth.co.uk
