JULIE HAZELGROVE
"I was given a second opportunity to truly experience life, and i wanted to make the most of it"
Q: Can you share a significant experience or moment in your life that had a profound impact on you? Was there a particular challenge or obstacle you’ve faced that changed the course of your life?
I would say that it was probably the time when I found out that I had cancer. That really hit me. It was the fear of the unknown, especially because I had young children at that time, and I knew it would be a major challenge to be away from them. Being in the ward was an eye-opener. Despite feeling unwell, I couldn’t help but notice the people around me who were even sicker. While my treatment was going well, there were others in the ward with worse conditions. This experience made me value life even more. I was given a second opportunity to truly experience life, and I wanted to make the most of it, as some people didn’t have that chance. It also changed the dynamics of my relationships. That was 13 years ago now. Due to the chemotherapy, I had early menopause, which altered my relationship with my husband at the time and eventually led to its end. So, yes, it was a profound turning point in my life.
Q: What values or principles have guided your journey, and how have they shaped who you are today?
I think my guiding principle in life has always been treating people the way I’d like to be treated. That simple idea is my motto, and it’s had a significant impact on my life. It’s all about treating people with respect and looking out for one another. To me, that’s what’s truly important.
Q: What do you want others, whether it’s your family, friends, or the world, to know about your life or your experiences?
It’s the cancer experience – I want people to put life into perspective. We can stress about things, and that’s okay, but at the end of the day, there is always another tomorrow. Everything is temporary. So, whether it’s good days or bad days, everything is temporary in life.
"I even sold some of my artworks, particularly mermaid portraits"
Q: How do you find moments of peace, relaxation, or escape from your daily life?
For me, it’s the beach – the soothing waves and the endless horizon. Walking my beautiful border collie, Ebony, in the crisp, open air is another source of peace. But perhaps my favourite escape is through painting. I focus on a red-headed mermaid who embarks on adventures. She’s a larger-than-life character celebrating and enjoying life’s challenges.
There was another character named Hilda, a 50s-style bigger woman with red hair. She wasn’t a mermaid, but I could see similarities in what both of us artists were trying to achieve. Sometimes, if I’ve had a challenging day, my drawings might be a bit darker, but on a great day, my mermaid is out for a bright, cheerful swim. I’ve even sold some of my artworks, particularly mermaid portraits, in the past. It’s a beautiful way to find solace and express my experience.
Q: Is there something that you have done differently in your life, and what led to that change?
Maybe it’s my relationship with my nan. I didn’t want the image of my nan’s beautiful, strong, independent nature being tarnished, so I distanced myself from my nan when she had dementia. I saw the end of her life, and it was quite sad because she was such an independent woman who became so dependent. She was from England, raising four children in a different country. I wish I had spent more time with her. I just wanted to remember her as the smiley nurturer she was.