In this uplifting episode of Creative Conversations, Sophia Gray chats with floral artist Siobhan McEvoy, whose journey from a career in finance to thriving as a self-taught painter is as surprising as it is inspiring. Siobhan shares her story of discovering her creative spark during lockdown, how her very first painting sold instantly, and how she’s since built a flourishing career—literally and figuratively—by following her passion for flowers.

🎤 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• A Pandemic Pivot – Siobhan’s remarkable leap from tax and finance into the art world, starting with a spontaneous painting night with her husband.
• The First Sale – How her very first artwork—a cherry blossom tree—sold on LinkedIn, launching her creative journey.
• Fingerprints & Freedom – Why Siobhan prefers using fingers, sponges, and household objects over brushes, and how mark making allows her to paint in a flow state.
• Flowers as Therapy – The calming power of painting florals, embracing imperfection, and why wildflowers resonate so deeply in her art.
• The Realities of Artistic Life – Juggling marketing, social media, and admin as a modern artist, and the double-edged sword of being visible online.
• Community & Connection – The importance of building an online (and offline!) network of artists, and the power of women supporting each other.
• Heritage & Inspiration – How her Irish upbringing, time in wild meadows, and love of nature infuse her work with joy and nostalgia.
• Fear, Ambition & Motivation – Why the fear of failure can be a powerful motivator, and how Siobhan turns pressure into perseverance.
• No Such Thing as Bad Art – An honest conversation about subjectivity, self-critique, and knowing when a painting is “finished.”
• Building a Career from Scratch – From self-taught web design to being represented in galleries and licensing deals with big brands.

💡 Key Takeaways:
🌼 Creativity can start at any age – Siobhan’s story proves you’re never too late to start or succeed.
🌸 Let go of perfection – Embrace the beauty in imperfection and let intuition guide your art.
👩‍🎨 Art is connection – Through flowers, Siobhan finds peace, and hopes her collectors feel that same joy and calm.
🤝 Community matters – Genuine support and collaboration make all the difference, both online and in person.
🖐 Art should be fun – Paint with your fingers, try new tools, and don’t be afraid to get messy!

🎙️ About Our Guest:
Siobhan McEvoy is a self-taught artist based in the Norfolk Broads, best known for her vibrant, expressive floral paintings. From her first cherry blossom painting to major licensing deals and gallery representation, Siobhan’s work is rooted in childhood memories, a love of wild meadows, and a passion for helping others find happiness through art.

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🎧 Creative Conversations is recorded at Granary Studios and produced by Granary Digital.