Dream come true for teenage artist who lost sight

Lilly, a teenage artist from Kingstanding in Birmingham, has achieved something truly remarkable despite losing her sight at the age of 15. After undergoing surgery to remove two brain tumors, Lilly was registered blind. During her recovery in the hospital, she discovered a passion for painting, inspired by the calming and encouraging style of American painter Bob Ross. Her artwork, especially a vibrant piece titled Hope Within the Mountains, has gained recognition and will be displayed in Birmingham's Victoria Square throughout June as part of the Open25 exhibition. Lilly expressed feelings of happiness, excitement, and surprise about having her work showcased in such a public space. Although she is blind, she mentioned that she can still perceive parts of her painting because of its bright colors, which brings her joy. The painting itself is created with acrylic paint on canvas and features a bright blue background with many colorful details, reflecting Lilly's creativity and positive spirit. Through her art, Lilly hopes to inspire others and spread messages of hope and resilience. She promotes her work on social media under the name Hope Studioz, aiming to reach a wider audience and encourage people facing their own challenges. The name of her painting was chosen by her mother, Cherie, who felt it perfectly captured the spirit of Lilly's journey and the message behind the artwork. Lilly's father, Graham, is incredibly proud of his daughter’s achievements. He hopes that Lilly now understands how talented she is, especially considering the obstacles she has overcome. He shared that Lilly was given the middle name Hope because of her strength and determination throughout her health struggles. Graham believes that Lilly’s art is a reflection of her inner strength and the hope she shares with others through her paintings. Lilly’s story is a powerful example of how creativity and courage can help people overcome adversity and inspire those around them.