So, who am I? What do I know about Positivity?

My name is Jenni Eden; I went to live overseas in 2003 and have had a most amazing time since then.

When I went to Oman, I was a fully qualified Primary school teacher and a mum to a 2 year old. I had dreamed in my youth of being a classical ballerina, or a rock star, or an artist. I had wanted to be all three but conditionings at school, the teachers and other adults around me, made me believe that was impossible!

So, at the time I decided to concentrate on Art. I was fortunate enough to further my studies in Art and I have a combined honour's degree in fine art and drama, but there was a general feeling that unless you were incredibly talented and gifted (and no one was saying I was). That it would be impossible to make a decent living from Art. Unfortunately, when I was younger I brought into the older people’s belief of lack, the grown ups who said you had to get a ‘proper job’ and limitations and in 1991; I hung up my aspirations, I put my dreams aside, on hold and pursued a ‘proper job’ in retail management before then re-qualifying as a teacher in 1994.

When I went to Oman, in January 2003, I was apprehensive and excited. Someone asked me just before I left the UK would I take up painting again and I started to mull over the idea. So in June 2003 I painted my first ever portrait, and the first painting on canvas for 14 years. I had decided that if I was going to paint then I was going to paint how I wanted to paint, I was going to use it as an excuse to combine my favourite colours or as an exercise in mixing colours. My portrait of my then 2 and a half-year-old was done

by working solidly for 4 hours. I was on fire, I was so energized, inspired, I did not stop once.

I felt energized, empowered, excited and alive, wow I could not remember the last time I had had that much fun. Something awakened in me. It was incredible. I felt this huge energy rush and I remember saying to my husband if by the end of the year, 6 months later, someone has commissioned me to paint a portrait for them. Commissioned means that I am paid to paint a picture especially for a certain person- I’ll be so happy. Well by the end of the year, I had a 16-month waiting list! I did not advertise but by word of mouth, everybody talking about it, they say going viral now! news of my portraits spread.