Stamford streets inspire illustrative artist Naomi Willis to new-found success and Blonde Beet exhibition after crippling panic disorder and London burnout

Rediscovering a passion for art while recovering from a debilitating illness has helped transform the life and career of a talented illustrator.

Naomi Willis began drawing Stamford architecture and street scenes as a form of therapy after suffering with severe anxiety.

However, the illustrations proved so popular, they have become an unintended business hit.

“My partner said he had never seen me draw as well and said I should sell them,” Naomi said.

“My first drawings I put up would be sold the same day so I thought I might be on to something.

Naomi, 30, will host the first exhibition of her work at the Blonde Beet bistro, in St Paul’s Street, with a launch event on Saturday from 6 to 8pm, featuring live music from pianist Archie Maclennan.

“Drawing is something I’m really excited by now,” she added.

“It all sprang from a hard time in my life, but now looking back I’m really happy that it happened.

“The worst thing in my life is the best thing that has happened to me.”

After leaving university, Naomi worked as a property photographer for seven years in the wealthy London district of Fulham.

“Some of the properties were incredible,” she said.

“It was a great start to my career, and I think it has influenced my interest in illustrating buildings and street views.”

She moved to Stamford two years ago with her partner, who is originally from the town, but her mental health began to decline after starting a new job.

Naomi believes it was also a consequence of burnout from years of working long hours, often covering two jobs, to pay sky-high London rental prices.

“It was a managerial role and all the creativity was sucked out - I hated going to work every day,” she said.

“I would leave the house at 7am or 7.30am and get home at 8pm, then probably have to do more work.

“I really missed London as well and I ended up having a bit of a breakdown.”

Naomi was diagnosed with panic disorder and took around six months off work.

Spare time was a novelty which she gradually put to good use.

“I had a lot of recovery and therapy and also fell back into drawing which I hadn’t done properly since school and university,” she recalled.

“It kept me calm and gave me something to focus on. I fell back in love with it.”

In Stamford she found readymade inspiration right on her doorstep, even though just leaving that doorstep was not easy.

“Stamford is so stunning so it’s really not hard to find inspiration and places to draw,” Naomi said.

“I was agoraphobic for about a month and struggled to leave the house so gradually I went out and took pictures of street scenes or buildings and then came home and drew them.

“That would be a project for the day to keep me busy.”

Naomi now works at Katie Cardew Illustrations, with hours which leaves enough time to do her own illustrations and work on commissions.

She struggles to name a personal favourite street scene, but has no doubt which is the most popular with buyers – High Street St Martins with the famous George Hotel gallows sign.

In May, Naomi hosted a free drawing workshop for mental health awareness week in May and wants to do more.

“I want to encourage people to do what they love and be kind to themselves. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way.”

Visit https://illustrationsbynomes.com and her Instagram page @nomes345 to see more of her work.