Local mum’s portrait inspired by psychiatrist’s positive phrase picks up art prize

A Huddersfield mum’s artwork inspired by the words of her psychiatrist has won a national competition run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Emma Gill’s digital piece ‘Babies do well with well mums’ was chosen as the winner of the Perinatal Quality Network’s Art Prize, scooping first prize over entries submitted from across the country. She used illustration app ProCreate to create the colourful piece, showing a baby in the mind of a mum.

Emma said: “I do a lot of digital art as a hobby. I find it helps with my bipolar disorder in both the up and down episodes. When I drew my piece I was having a psychotic episode and turning to art really helps me. Creating my artwork takes me away from the illness, it’s an escape.”

Emma revealed that the inspiration for her piece came from words said to her by consultant perinatal psychiatrist at the Trust, Dr Graham Hill. She explained: “I’ve had a long journey with the perinatal team and Dr Hill has been one of the best psychiatrists ever. He once said to me ‘Babies do well with well mums’ and this quote stuck with me. I chose to interpret it in my artwork.”

The perinatal team were aware of Emma’s creative talents and encouraged her to enter the competition. Emma continued: “I didn’t hear anything for a while after I’d entered so I thought that was it. When I found out I had won I was over the moon. It was really flattering to have my artwork chosen out of many pieces inspired by other people’s own personal journeys.”

“It’s given me a push to think about doing something with my artwork, and given me the motivation to keep up with it.”

Perinatal mental health practitioner Mary Hindle added: ”I know that Emma finds her artwork really helpful when she is feeling unwell and I am delighted for her that she has won this competition – it is well deserved.”