An Egremont artist has discovered the therapeutic benefits of art and wants to share the knowledge with others suffering from different types of pain.

Emma Hunt, from Egremont, has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a painful genetic collagen condition, which affects her joints.

Her condition was only diagnosed four years ago at the age of 40. She was forced to give up a job and career that she loved and for 10 years has been reliant on pain killers to escape the agony. She now considers those years to be “wasted life”.

She said: “Last November I came off all pain medication and realised the beauty around me and I’ve been concentrating on the art and landscapes for three months.

“We’re so lucky in this area with landscapes, coast views and the lakes.”

Emma has used The Candlestick, harbours, Allonby, St Bees, the lakes, animals, landscapes and even dandelions as inspiration and said the art aids pain management as it enables her to withdraw from her physical body while she is being creative. There is also an enormous sense of well being once a piece is created.

Emma has been very humbled that her paintings are proving to be so popular.

The first of her paintings has just sold at The Harbour Master Coffee House and Bar in Whitehaven, where there are 11 pieces displayed. She has also recently been asked to do prints for The Woodland Tea Rooms at Santon Bridge.

On the sale of her first painting she said: “It’s just really humbling that people even like it. So for someone to buy it as a gift and then say they are going to get one for themselves, it’s really nice.

“There was even a comment on Facebook that ‘they might treat themselves to an Emma Hunt’, which was weird for me to see.”

The artist is now willing to share this art therapy knowledge with others who suffer from pain, mental health conditions or drug/alcohol addictions.

Emma said: “It would be selfish of me to keep this tool to myself.

“If any groups would like me to teach art for pain management please get in touch.”

Anyone interested in seeing more of Emma’s work, or to ask about pain management therapy, can see more at her facebook page Emma Hunt art, or call in to The Harbour Master Coffee House and Bar, Whitehaven.