Most people spend much of their time working and this means to be happy you really need to find something that you are passionate about, otherwise you aren’t really living.
As Steve Jobs once said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
For Mt Warren Park local Claire Robinson, art has always been a big part of her life, until it wasn’t. When a tragic event happened, Claire had a rethink of what she was doing with her own life and decided doing what she loved everyday needed to be her reality.
“For as long as I can remember, I have been a lover of all animals”, said Claire.
“From a young age, I was fascinated by all creatures big and small. I spent much of my adolescence riding horses with my border collie, Chloe, by my side. I also had a love for art and would often sit in the paddock drawing my horses.
“I have two wonderful sons, and being a mother, like many mothers their needs came before mine and sadly I lost my relationship with art.
“That all changed when I lost my mother, Julie, in 2019. It was a very difficult time for my family and painting became my therapy. Rediscovering my love for art helped me navigate my grief and calmed my anxious mind.
“Soon I was gifting portraits to everyone at my workplace, and I found that I couldn’t wait to go home and start my next painting. It was then I realised that this is what I wanted to do with my future. I left my job, a very daunting decision in the height of COVID, but I took a leap of faith and Lucy & Coco was born.”
Leaving a stable job and starting a business during the current pandemic takes a lot of intestinal fortitude, but there is never a right time to make such a big leap. Waiting for the perfect moment to come will never happen and Claire believed in herself and abilities and made that step.
“I am so humbled that what started as gifting pet portraits to friends and family for fun, has now become Lucy & Coco pet portraits. But more importantly, I feel so lucky to be able to do what I love full-time.
“All the products in Lucy & Coco art range contain my original art. I have also created a pet friendly scents line that focuses on scents that are safe to use around your pets.
“I recently illustrated my first children’s book and hosted my first community event, Pooches and Puppucinos, alongside Bloom’n Coffee. I very much look forward to creating more community events and amazing experiences for the Logan community.
“My dream is to be involved with mental health awareness in honour of my mother Julie and help others through art.”
The Logan community is great at supporting each other during the COVID situation and buying Australian products has become more popular than ever before. This has helped Claire to keep producing her products and have her range instore at Aussie Pet Collective in Slacks Creek.
You can find also find her products online at www.lucyandcoco.com.au.
