Josephine Bradley’s Art: A Beautiful Rebellion Against Perfection

Artist Josephine Bradley tells us how her work, often depicting local scenes including this one of Marlow, is helping her recovery from anorexia

Meet Josephine: Watlington Illustration Artist and Collage Creator

I’m Josephine Bradley, a self-taught artist and illustration student living in Watlington. What began as a mindful hobby has grown into something that truly connects me with others. It’s both humbling and exciting to see people respond to my work.

Finding Creativity in Recovery

Although I initially planned to study Psychology at Durham, life took a different turn. After a relapse of anorexia in 2020, I was admitted to hospital, and university became impossible. Feeling lost, I turned to art. Making small gifts and collages gave me a sense of calm. As I created more, people began to notice and praise my work, which helped build my confidence.

Eventually, I enrolled in illustration with the Open University. It gave me purpose, something I could commit to even during recovery. Since then, I’ve continued to explore my creativity, not only for myself but also for others through commissions and exhibitions.

Art, Exhibitions & Family

Craft fairs and exhibitions have become part of my journey. I often attend them with my mum, who sews handmade goods. We’ve both found healing and joy through these shared experiences. A recent highlight was exhibiting as part of the Henley Arts Trail, where I also connected with other artists at The Maker Space—an uplifting, if nerve-wracking, experience.

What’s Next: From Watlington to You

From mid-August to October, my artwork will be on display at Watlington Library. I especially enjoy mixing text from books with illustrations of historically important places. I’m always open to requests and love creating something meaningful for others. Living in Watlington with my family, two cheeky dogs (Jonty and Fig), and a lawn-munching pony keeps me grounded and inspired. Oxford, Henley, and Marlow continue to feed my creativity.

It still feels surreal to me that something I was doing as a distraction has led me to find more meaning and purpose than I ever expected. I hope to share blog posts regarding mental health recovery, and the role of art in healing on my website. Visit here.

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