AN ARTIST who says she can taste colours is bringing her unique work to Flintshire.
Julia Hobbs inherited synaethesia from her mother Gwen which is a condition which mixes emotions.
The condition means her mouth waters when she sees colours and she associates numbers with images.
The 45-year-old, formerly of Penyffordd, near Hope, said: “It is just something you have without realising you have it. It is where you mix emotions.
“So, for example, pink tastes like fruits of the forest and turquoise tastes like citrus.
When I see the colours my mouth waters.
“When I listen to music I see colours.
“If it is music I like I see purple in my mind’s eye.
“And for me number 70 is a fox.”
Julia, who now lives in Prestatyn, is bringing her unique jewellery collection, which includes hand-sewn beaded fabric jewellery to Caerwys this weekend.
She said: “I use semi-precious stones. The condition helps me make the jewellery, it helps me see if the stones fit.
If they do not give me the right sense they do not work.
“I always wanted to be an artist and about four years ago I just thought I would give it a go. I only ever make one of each piece.”
After spending time in London, with her husband Conrad, an investment banker, she has returned to North Wales to launch her new career.
But what does he think of her condition?
She said: “He finds it quite amusing because when I have a sore throat it goes by silver. If it is a tickly one its silver bells.
“I think the condition is more widespread than people think.”
Julia will be displaying her work at Afonwen Crafts and Antiques Centre, Caerwys on Saturday and Sunday between 9.30am and 5.30pm and she will demonstrate how she makes her unique pieces.
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