Flintshire woman who battled alcoholism now has her own art business

Abby Browne, from Hawarden, went into rehab in February of 2020 to deal with her drink problem, and just over a year later has a flourishing arts business.

Abby's David Bowie portrait.

The 42-year-old has always had an aptitude for artwork, but has autism and said that led to her struggling with feelings of not fitting in.

She said those struggles led to her turning to alcohol in her twenties to help her feel normal.

However, the dependence on alcohol grew over the years to the point that she was drinking two to three bottles of wine a day.

The mother-of-three knew she needed support to get sober and went into rehab at the Open Minds centre in Wrexham.

After six weeks there, Abby arrived home and took up her art, which she said she had loved ever since childhood, to help her with her recovery.

It was then Abby, who studied art at college and university, realised that she could turn her passion and talents for art into a business.

Abby is now selling her original acrylic and oil paintings, and has even turned part of her home on Cross Tree Close into an art gallery - which is open to the public on request.

Guests at Abby Browne's art gallery based in her Hawarden home.

"It's just really taken off," she said.

"I'm so shocked as I was just doing it as a hobby but the reaction has just been fantastic."

Abby said some of her larger pieces of work, such as the Dubai skyline, take her up to a week to complete.

Abby with her Dubai skyline painting.

"I think a lot of it comes naturally, and due to the fact I was always drawing and painting as a child," she said.

"You can definitely get better with practice, but if you've not had that passion since childhood it's quite hard to make up for."

Abby's paintings of the Joker.

Abby wants to use her story to help others struggling in the same way she did.

"There is help out there for people and I just want to show people that you can get better," she said.

"There's always hope - no matter how tough things are."

Abby with some more of her paintings.

She added: "My artwork used to be very dark as I used to do a lot of work in black and white, but post-rehab my work is so much more bright and colourful.

"I think this is symbolic of my life before and after I sought help for my alcoholism. Art is definitely a way I can express myself."

For more information on and how to purchase Abby's work, visit https://www.facebook.com/abbybrowne.art/ or https://abbybrowne.art/?fbclid=IwAR26tfnMZUmieQ0cuBSGHGjO9PYurepH3rY85ZQWLcgzNk1STs-eyw8ATPo

Abby's paintings have proved a huge hit.