Sara Gregory uses her art to illustrate the trials and tribulations of menopause

My guest this time is Sara Gregory - a contemporary portrait painter based in London. She belongs to a collection of artists called ‘Studio Fridays’ who have a studio space in Whetstone, Barnet. Having originally studied Fine Art in Stourbridge College of Art she became a teacher of Art which she did for 25 years before leaving to pursue her own practice. She is also an art tutor for children which she does in schools around Hertfordshire.  In 2022 she was a contestant on the popular ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’ competition. Her series of self portraits documenting her seven year struggle with the menopause before starting HRT cover such subjects as hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety and rage.   We talk about: Why she decided to begin her series of menopause self-portraits How perimenopause symptoms impacted her and how little help she was offered to help with her insomnia How showing the paintings to friends and fellow artists, as well as on social media, has opened up conversations and created permission for others to talk about their symptoms  Her creative process - the role of ‘acting out’ a self-portrait and how as an artists you convey a feeling   Since we recorded the episode Sara has been shortlisted as a Finalist for the Women in Art Prize - https://www.instagram.com/womeninartprize_/ - congratulations and good luck Sara!    You can find Sara on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/saragregoryart/    You can also find us over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middlingalong_podcast/ and you can listen to past episodes at https://middlingalong.com     Join our newsletter, The Messy Middle, for fortnightly goodness into your Inbox: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/323784/90772270045202190/share    We’re delighted to be listed as one of the Top 25 podcasts for midlife and menopause here: https://www.lattelounge.co.uk/podcasts-about-the-menopause/   It would mean so much if you’d subscribe, rate, and review us to share the love and help others find the podcast too!  You can also find me at https://www.instagram.com/managingthemenopause  or at www.managingthemenopause.com where we offer 1-1 coaching and workplace training.  Get our free 'Guide to your GP appointment' at https://www.managingthemenopause.com/free-resources