Mentoring Nils Wilkinson
Over the past year I’ve been working with trainee mosaic artist Nils Wilkinson — one of the most rewarding collaborations of my career. What began as a chance meeting while volunteering at Dawber Gardens Community Trust has grown into a partnership rooted in creativity and care.
Nils brings incredible multidisciplinary skills in acrylics, woodcraft, clay, and mixed media. His background in care work, along with his creativity, shines through in the community workshops we deliver together.
What makes this collaboration truly special is the shared understanding we’ve developed through our own life experiences. We’ve both faced mental health challenges, trauma-related injuries, and the loss of our mothers to cancer. These journeys have deepened our empathy, strengthened our bond, and shaped the way we bring art into the community.
Nils has transformed my practice with his collaborative spirit and team-player attitude. His vision of making art inclusive, accessible, and healing is one I share wholeheartedly — and together, we’re building not just mosaics, but a creative community grounded in connection and compassion.
My Mentorship with Carrie Reichardt
I was fortunate to undertake a mentorship with Carrie Reichardt, an award-winning artist and V&A exhibitor. This was made possible through funding from the Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) scheme, supported by Arts Council England.
When we began working together, Carrie encouraged me to move beyond found ceramics and create my own pieces using printed decals fired in her kiln. A particularly meaningful moment came when she cast my back — an intimate act of complete vulnerability that deepened our trust immensely.
Both Carrie and I carry personal trauma and share an understanding rooted in lived experience. This vulnerability became the foundation of our friendship and artistic partnership. Through her mentorship, she gave me profound confidence in myself, my ideas, and my artistic ability.
Beyond technical instruction, Carrie saw me at the beginning of an important journey and remained dedicated to supporting my growth. Our time together was grounded in shared passion, authentic connection, and a mutual commitment to creating meaningful art.
