Art & Wellbeing Become One: Former teacher James Lark brings Wellbeing Art Classes to Kings Langley and beyond

As an Art teacher and later Assistant Headteacher at a secondary school, I was passionate about education, creativity, and supporting young people.

Teaching was demanding but deeply rewarding until a sudden and life-changing moment forced me to stop and rethink everything.

In January 2025, aged just 43, I suffered a heart attack. It was unexpected, frightening, and completely halted the pace of life I had been living.

Recovery wasn’t just physical; it was emotional and mental too. During that period, I turned instinctively to what I knew best, making art.

Concentrating on producing artwork became a crucial part of my healing. The act of drawing and painting helped quiet my thoughts, reduce anxiety, and rebuild confidence at a time when everything felt uncertain.

That experience was a turning point. It made me reflect on the stresses of teaching and leadership, and on how powerful creativity had been in my own recovery.

I realised I wanted to create space for others to experience the same benefits. That decision led me to step away from teaching and start my own business, one built around using art and creativity to support wellbeing and positive mental health.

Today, my business champions the impact of art on wellbeing in many forms. I lead welcoming art classes, workshops, and relaxed social events designed to help people slow down, connect, and enjoy the process of creating without pressure.

Alongside this, I continue to work as a professional artist, sharing my own practice.

A core part of my work is making creativity accessible. I actively seek to engage disadvantaged and vulnerable people by working with charities to deliver art sessions that remove barriers to participation.

My first of these will take place in January in Abbots Langley, working with The Alzheimer's Society, using art as a gentle, inclusive way to support connection and wellbeing.

Art classes now run regularly in both Abbots Langley and Kings Langley, offering oil painting, watercolour painting, and expressive drawing.

These sessions are about more than learning techniques, they’re about creating time for yourself, building confidence, and discovering how creative activity can positively impact everyday life.

What began as a personal recovery journey has grown into a mission: to show that art isn’t just something you’re “good” or “bad” at, but something that can genuinely support wellbeing at any stage of life.

www.ohmyart.co.uk gives more information about what we offer and the work we do within the local community.