A talented young Co Tyrone artist has opened up on how she first picked up the paint brush as a way of dealing with bullies in school.
Hannah Gormley, a year 9 pupil at St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon, picked up a prize at the recent Texaco Children’s Art competition for a portrait of her little brother, Adam.
Cabra girl Hannah says she realised from her primary school days that she struggled to fit in with many of her peers, and that she turned to art to help her express her feelings.
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“I always kind of liked art but I started to really get into it during primary school when I started to realise I didn’t fit in with many other people,” Hannah told Belfast Live.
“I didn’t really have many of the same interests as most people in school, and it made me feel really isolated and odd.
“A few people did pick on me for that, but I just found that art really helped with that.
“I found it as a way of lightening my own mood throughout the day, or if I was stressed I would go up to my room and paint or draw.
“A lot of the time it didn’t really affect me too much, but I did try to channel those negative emotions into something positive.”
Hannah’s piece ‘My Sweet Brother’ was recognised at the well-known schools art competition earlier this month with a Special Merit Award.
She added that Adam, 9, was very pleased that his portrait had led to success for his big sister.
“I took a wee picture of him when he was out playing and he was just making a silly face for the camera and I thought it would be a lovely thing to draw,” Hannah said.
“He’s genuinely just such a nice person and I thought if I was going to draw anybody, why not my wee brother Adam.
“He loved it and he couldn’t wait to get into school to tell all his friends about it. He thinks he’s famous now!”
Hannah’s mum Mary said the family couldn’t be any more proud of the talented teen.
“We are just so proud of her, she has done very well and has her sights set on next year’s competition already.
“We are just over the moon that she was recognised, I suppose a lot of children maybe struggle to handle things like that and art has just been a great outlet for her.”
Hannah concluded with some advice for any young person who may be the target of bullying
“There’s always ways to lift yourself up and find wee ways to make yourself feel better,” she says.
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