Jesse & Heather

Jesse was my friend and a fellow creative who sadly lost his mental health battle July 2018. He wasn't weak for losing that battle though, Jesse was strong and had love all around him. But poor mental health swallowed his options, hope and ability to feel the love we all had for him. We live with guilt and what ifs, but ultimately it was his illness that robbed him, not us.

“Creativity takes courage.” — Henri Matisse

That was so true for Jesse. He loved graffiti, fashion, music of all different genres and he customised trainers for his business Step Correct. He was pretty big on shoes so to start flinging paint at a brand new pair was more than a business plan in my eyes. I see it as a statement to the world that he was brave, even in dark times. So it makes perfect sense that he was into graffiti, it's all about sticking your fingers up to shit you're supposed to just accept and making something beautiful.

What me & Jesse shared was something rare - a bond through art, rebellion, and self-expression. In that way, he was my comrade. And when he left, I lost a friend, the world lost an artist, and hundreds of lives were shattered. But an artist can't fail, it's a success simply to be one. And I intend to not let him fade into the past, I like to find new ways to renember him through art - something that he loved, something that he was, and something that reaches the people who love him when words fail.

This page exists because silence doesn’t protect anyone. Mental illness is real, brutal, and it can make hope feel unreachable. If you’re reading this and you’re struggling: please reach out to someone you trust, your GP, or a support service.

We’re supporting YoungMinds — a UK charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. If you can donate, share, or simply check in on someone: it counts.

Note: This page is not medical advice and can’t replace professional support.

I am primarily a canal artist. The style of my work is often referred to as Roses & Castles. Blooming flowers and idyllic castle landscapes have been painted on narrowboats for many generations. Canal art/ boat decoration is on the list of endangered English heritage crafts and there are only around 20 boat painters left in the UK.

The boat people to whom of which the art belongs were hardworking folk, moving cargo long before the modes of transport we have today. It was brutally physical and sometimes dangerous work, yet they were often looked down on by the rest of the society. The eye catching motifs they painted brought warmth & dignity to an otherwise demanding, utilitarian life. Rooted in working class struggle, escapism and boldness, the tradition is something that speaks directly to my soul.

I was lucky enough to be instructed by Phil Soeight MBE, one of the UK's best respected boat painters. I'm so grateful to him for believing in me, investing his time and making me feel like I have a right to walk on this earth. The best way I know how to repay him is to educate people on Roses & Castles and its roots, develop my skills and paint with the boat people in mind.

View Heather’s available works here. For commissions, collaborations, or questions — enquire below.