Georgina Hartley-Willows has turned her lifelong love for art into a business called Not A Blank Canvas.
The 30-year-old contemporary artist, who now resides in Sheffield, received support from the King’s Trust to transform her passion into a career.
Ms Hartley-Willows said: “Growing up in Cumbria, I was constantly inspired by the beauty around me—the lakes, the fells, the changing light.
“Those landscapes are in my blood, and they’re central to my work.”
The artist studied at the University of Sheffield but credits her time in Carlisle for shaping her style.
After working as a modern languages teacher in Barnsley and Staveley for six years, the birth of her first child in February prompted her to seek a more flexible career.
Ms Hartley-Willows said: “I wanted a career that offered flexibility so I could spend more time with my daughter, and I realised this was the perfect moment to pursue my art professionally.”
Her business, Not A Blank Canvas, was born earlier this year and specialises in bold, colourful landscapes, original artwork, prints, and wallpaper murals.
Her murals are now displayed in homes across Carlisle.
Ms Hartley-Willows said: “My Grandad, who was an engineer and a talented artist, was a huge influence on me.
“He taught me to observe and paint.
“He passed away during the pandemic, but his guidance continues to inspire my work.”
While she now lives in Sheffield, Ms Hartley-Willows maintains a strong connection to Cumbria, with many of her pieces paying homage to the landscapes she grew up with.
She said: “Cumbria will always be home.
“It’s where my artistic journey began, and it’s a constant source of inspiration.”
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Ms Hartley-Willows is a member of a musical theatre company, enjoys photography, and sews her own clothes, sometimes using her designs as fabric prints.
