The Story Behind Francisco Lilley Studio

A dream rediscovered, a little joy reclaimed.

I have loved art for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was naturally drawn to drawing, painting and creating. Art was a place where I could lose myself for a while - a quiet little world where imagination had no limits. Like many childhood passions, however, mine gradually became something I put to one side as life began to take a different direction.

Growing up, there was a strong cultural emphasis on achievement, education and building a successful future. Art was something I loved, but it wasn't necessarily something that seemed practical to pursue. So, like so many people, I followed the path that was expected of me.

My academic journey eventually led me into Psychology, followed by a career that brought its own achievements, responsibilities and sense of purpose. I was proud of what I accomplished, but somewhere along the way, that little creative part of me became quieter.

Then life changed again. Marriage, migration and building a new life brought new priorities. There were homes to build, responsibilities to carry and people to care for. Later came caring duties that naturally took much of my time and energy. And somewhere amongst of all that, I put myself on hold. Not because I had stopped dreaming, but because there always seemed to be something else that needed to come first.

For many years, art remained somewhere in the background of my life - a quiet love that never really disappeared. Until eventually, I realised something. It was time to make space for myself again. Francisco Lilley Studio is my way of doing that.

It is not the story of someone who went to art school or followed a traditional path into becoming an artist. I am self-taught, and my art has grown from years of experiences, observations, emotions and memories.

I am learning by doing. Experimenting. Making mistakes. Trying again. And most importantly, allowing myself to enjoy the process. My paintings are therefore much more than pictures to me. They are expressions of the life I have lived, the things I have experienced, the places that have brought me peace and the little moments that bring me joy. Some are playful. Some are peaceful. Some are inspired by nature and animals. Others simply come from an image or feeling that makes me smile.

I don't think my art needs to be perfect. I think it needs to feel real. After spending so much of my life pursuing achievements and fulfilling responsibilities, I am finally allowing myself to pursue something simply because it makes me happy.

I am claiming my own joy. I am making space for creativity and I am giving that childhood love of art a place in my life again. That is what Francisco Lilley Studio means to me.

It is a little piece of freedom. A place to create, to experiment, to reflect and to share.

And now, I hope to share that joy with everyone who cares enough to stop for a moment, to look at my work and perhaps feel something of their own.

Maybe a memory. Maybe a smile. Maybe a little peace. Because of something I create can bring even a small moment of happiness or calm into somebody else's day, then I feel that my childhood dream has found its way home.

Welcome to Francisco Lilley Studio.

I hope you find something here that speaks to you.

Xx

Chari