During her time at school, Denise Kettyles hated art.

Now, thanks to the teaching of local artist Trevor Verner, she has fallen in love with drawing, believing it has had great benefits for her mental health.

“My mental health – it is so important to look after this, as well as your physical health,” said Lisbellaw woman Denise, speaking to The Impartial Reporter.

“I have had four triggers and I will try to prevent my mental health failing again,” she explained, noting that previously she has used counselling and anti-depressants: “The latter I hate taking, but have had to take at different times. I would prefer other options to medication.”

In January, 2021, Denise was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

She explained that following her cancer diagnosis and full hysterectomy, she has changed her way of thinking and found new ways of dealing with her stress and depression.

One of these is drawing: “After I had cancer, I started working two days [a week] and I bought a car. Those two are the best decisions I’ve made.

“It’s given me so much freedom and I can do all these things that I want to do, so I just decided that I’m going to learn new skills.

“I thought, ‘I’m going to tackle this pencil drawing’. I’m just finding my feet now and I’m really enjoying it. It’s a real distraction from my negative thoughts and worries – you get lost in what you’re doing,” said Denise, talking about how learning to draw through Trevor’s classes has positively impacted her mental health and helped her “avoid taking the tablets”.

“I love creating and crafting, so Trevor’s art therapy classes have allowed me to switch off and learn new skills. You have to really concentrate on what you are doing and I find it so therapeutic and enjoyable too.

“I never thought I could draw, as I actually hated art at school, so it gives me positivity too,” she added.

Denise explained that she first started doing art classes with Trevor through SEFF (South East Fermanagh Foundation).

“SEFF had the courses and that’s how I got to know about it. I really enjoyed it there, so that was my starting point,” said Denise.

She was then invited by Trevor to join his small art group in St. Macartin’s Cathedral Hall in Enniskillen.

“I thought, if I can [draw] my dog and Elvis, I’ll come,” she laughed, adding: “I made that commitment with him and it’s just wonderful.”

So far through the class Denise has drawn her dog, Elvis, and a landscape of the village of Maguiresbridge. “Now I’m doing my father,” she said, commenting that she is “so pleased” with her new skills.

“I never thought I could do that, Elvis especially. It’s just amazing. I’m so thankful and really grateful to Trevor because he has the skill and the talent and is able to tell us what we’re doing right and wrong, correcting us, so it’s great.”

Along with other members of the class, Denise is now working towards a joint exhibition which is planned for the end of November.

“I’m so delighted to be working towards an exhibition – a first for me.

“I think it’ll just be a wonderful experience and to be able to say, ‘That’s my work there’, and people will hopefully admire what they see.

“It’s just something very different for me and I’m so excited and looking forward to that.”

Denise has also enjoyed the social aspect of Trevor’s class.

“The girls in the group are lovely and I’ve made new friends,” she said, adding: “The social side of the classes is so important in keeping your mental health healthy, as you have company and can chat a little too. For those that are alone, having some company is a great thing to lift you.”

“[And the drawing] is really therapeutic, I just think it’s so relaxing and so beneficial to me. So I enjoy it as well as it being like a therapy,” she told this newspaper.